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| Arkansas Baptist College |
Main
Address :
1600 Bishop Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202-6099
(501) 374-7856 |
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General Information
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Arkansas Baptist College (ABC), originally known as the Minister’s Institute, was founded by both
black and white religious leaders in 1884. Arkansas Baptist College is a private, historically
black, four-year liberal arts college. Arkansas Baptist College is dedicated to the development of
graduates who are exceptionally educated, spiritually and culturally aware, and able to meet the
demands of our rapidly advancing society.
Located in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas, near the Rivermarket area and the Clinton Presidential
Library, Arkansas Baptist College is unique in its contribution to higher education. ABC, a
historically black college (HBCU), has a small, cohesive, student-centered environment with an open
enrollment policy, accepting all eligible students with a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
As the only black, Baptist higher education institution west of the Mississippi River, ABC offers
degrees in business administration, human services, criminal justice, public administration and
religious studies. In addition, ABC is also committed to the total development of our students,
both educationally and spiritually. |
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Undergraduate Population: 389
Graduate Population: 0
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Student Body:
Degrees Available: Associate, Bachelor's
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| Admissions
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In State
Tuition: 5074
Out of State Tuition: 5074
Room & Board: 6060
Application Fee: $25 - Deadline: Rolling Admissions
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| History
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In August, 1884 at the Annual Convention, the Colored Baptists of the State of Arkansas, founded
the "minister's Institute." Three months later in November of 1884, the school opened at the Mount
Zion Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. The school was renamed "Arkansas Baptist College," in April
1885.
According to its historical mission, Arkansas Baptist College was founded with the primary goal of
raising the educational level of the Negro ministry, with the secondary goal being to assist the
state of Arkansas in preparing young Negro men and women with a "normal" education. These goals
have since been expanded to providing educational opportunities to all persons seeking an education
without regard to age, sex, race, religion, or national origin.
The Executive Board of the Convention hired Reverend J.P. Lawson, a white Baptist minister from
Joplin, Missouri, to serve as the principal teacher. A block of land was purchased for $5000 from
Attorney Blake Turner at 16th and High Street within the city limits of Little Rock. It was here at
this site that several buildings were erected and the Arkansas Baptist College campus came into
being, and remains to this day.
The first president was Dr. Joseph A. Booker who served from 1887 until his death in 1926. He was
succeeded by Reverend S. P. Nelson, Reverend R.C. Woods and Reverend S. R. Tillinghast respectively.
Dr. Tandy W. Coggs, the fifth president, served from 1937-1955. It was during the tenure of Dr.
Coggs in 1947 that the college received its initial two year accreditation from the Arkansas State
Department of Education. President Coggs was succeeded respectively by Dr. Oscar Allan Rogers, Dr.
Charles E. Johnson, Mr. Howard Johnson and Dr. P. L. Rowe. On July 1, 1962, Dr. James C. Oliver was
elected as the tenth president of Arkansan Baptist College. During Dr. Oliver was also successful in
getting Arkansas Baptist College placed on the North Central Association list for candidacy status.
He operated the college on a cash debt-free basis, until the end of his tenure. When poor health
forced Dr. Oliver to relinquish his active role as president, Dr. R. C. Davis, Title III Coordinator,
became the interim president for approximately three years.
Dr. W. Thomas Keaton was elected as the eleventh President on July 26, 1985. Under his
administration, Arkansas Baptist College received full accreditation from the Commission on Higher
Learning of the North Central Association and the national Council for the Accreditation of Teacher
Education (NCATE). Other notable improvements during his administration include the computerization
of the campus library, construction of the Hazel Shanks Henson Multi-purpose Center, the W. T.
Keaton Men's Residence Hall, and the renovation of the college gymnasium. Dr. Keaton retired in
August 2001 and Mrs. Mary R. Jarrett, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, was appointed as Interim
President until October 2001.
Dr. Israel R. Dunn, Jr. was elected as the twelfth President of Arkansas Baptist College in October
of 2001. However, his tenure did not commence until February 2002. Dr. Dunn's visionary plan
propelled the college into a "mode of change." He attempted to reorganize and restructure the campus
by implementing a Four-Tier Priority Plan for institutional advancement that included the following
components: Enrollment Management, Internal Controls and Improved Infrastructure, Student Services,
and Facilities Planning.
Dr. Dunn resigned in May 2005. Mrs. Mary Jarrett was appointed by the Board of Trustees to serve as
Acting President. The appointment lasted until February 2006. The thirteenth President, Dr.
Fitzgerald Hill, was elected in January and assumed office on February 1, 2006. |
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