William Carey University: A Legacy of Faith and Academic Excellence
William Carey University (WCU) is a private Christian institution located in Mississippi, United States. Affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Mississippi Baptist Convention, the university is dedicated to integrating faith with academic rigor. With its primary campus in Hattiesburg and a secondary location in the Tradition community near Biloxi, WCU provides a comprehensive educational environment for thousands of students pursuing their professional goals.
The university operates under the inspiring motto: "Expect Great Things From God, Attempt Great Things For God." Since its inception, the institution has evolved from a small boarding school into a full-fledged university, granting baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees.
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Key Facts
- Established: 1892
- Location: Hattiesburg and Biloxi, Mississippi
- Affiliation: Baptist (Mississippi Baptist Convention)
- Accreditation: SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
- Student Population: 5,641 total students (3,264 undergraduates)
- Mascot: Crusaders
- Colors: Red, Black, and White
Institutional History
The journey of William Carey University began in 1892 when W. I. Thames founded the Pearl River Boarding School in Poplarville, Mississippi. The school's early years were marked by resilience; after a devastating fire in 1905, Thames reopened the institution in Hattiesburg in 1906 as South Mississippi College. Following another fire and subsequent closure, the property was acquired by W. S. F. Tatum in 1911 and gifted to the Baptists, leading to the establishment of the Mississippi Woman's College.
In 1953, the Mississippi Baptist Convention voted to make the college coeducational. To reflect this change, the board of trustees renamed the institution William Carey College in 1954. The name honors William Carey, the 18th-century English linguist and missionary known as the "Father of Modern Missions." A notable historical achievement occurred in 1939 when the school, then the Mississippi Woman's College, placed third in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition—the only women's college to ever place in the event.
The institution officially transitioned to university status on August 14, 2006, coinciding with its centennial celebration. Despite facing challenges, including the devastation of the Gulf Coast campus by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and an EF3 tornado in 2017 that severely damaged the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the university has continued to expand its facilities and academic offerings.
Academic Programs and Specialized Schools
William Carey University offers a diverse range of programs designed to meet regional needs and professional standards.
WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM)
Established in 2008 to address the physician shortage in rural Mississippi, the COM is the state's second medical school and the first in the region to grant the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. It welcomed its first class of 110 students in 2010 and received full accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation upon the graduation of its first class in 2014.
School of Pharmacy
Launched in 2018, the School of Pharmacy features a unique accelerated program that allows students to earn their Doctor of Pharmacy degree in two years and ten months. This program is one of only 11 such accelerated paths in the United States and the only one serving the Gulf Coast region of southern Mississippi, southwestern Alabama, and southeastern Louisiana.
School of Nursing and Other Disciplines
- Joseph and Nancy Fail School of Nursing: Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
- Winters School of Music: An All-Steinway School and member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
- Department of Theatre & Communication: Known for the Carey Dinner Theatre, the longest-running dinner theatre in Mississippi.
- School of Business: Accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) for its MBA and BSBA programs.
Campus Life and Athletics
Student life at WCU is deeply influenced by its Christian values. The Student Government Association (SGA) manages key events like Welcome Week and Homecoming, while CareyBSU provides Bible studies and mission opportunities. The university's student voice is captured in The Cobbler, a monthly newspaper that has evolved from its 1920s predecessor, The Scissors.
The university's athletic teams, the Crusaders, compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) within the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC). WCU supports 18 varsity sports, including baseball, basketball, soccer, and track & field. The baseball team notably won a national championship in 1969.
University Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| President | Ben Burnett |
| Provost | Noal Cochran |
| Main Campus Size | 120 acres |
| Academic Staff | 190 full-time, 230 part-time |
| Key Accreditations | SACS, IACBE, ACPE, CCNE |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did William Carey College become a university?
William Carey College officially became William Carey University on August 14, 2006, during its centennial celebration.
What is unique about the WCU School of Pharmacy?
The School of Pharmacy offers an accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy program that lasts two years and ten months, making it one of only 11 such programs in the nation.
Who is the university named after?
The university is named after William Carey, an 18th-century English linguist and missionary recognized as the "Father of Modern Missions" for his work in India.
What are the university's athletic affiliations?
The WCU Crusaders are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).
Where are the university's campuses located?
The main campus is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with a second campus located in the Tradition community north of Biloxi, Mississippi.