Summary
Bryan College is a Christian liberal arts college in Dayton, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in the aftermath of the 1925 Scopes Trial to establish an institution of higher education that would teach from a Christian worldview.
History
During the Scopes Trial in 1925, William Jennings Bryan expressed the wish that a school might be established in Dayton, "to teach truth from a Biblical perspective".[1] Following his death on July 26, 1925, a national memorial association was formed to establish such an institution in Bryan’s honor.
William Jennings Bryan University was chartered in 1930. Its stated purpose was to provide “for the purpose of establishing, conducting and perpetuating a university for the higher education of men and women under auspices distinctly Christian and spiritual, as a testimony to the supreme glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Divine inspiration and infallibility of the Bible,”[2] and its mission statement is "Educating Students to become Servants of Christ to make a Difference in Today's World."[3] In 1958, it was designated William Jennings Bryan College, and the name was shortened to Bryan College in 1993[4]
Affiliations
Bryan College is a member of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA),[5] the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA),[6] the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities,[7] the Appalachian College Association (ACA),[8] and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).[9]
Campus
The Bryan College campus in Dayton is 128 acres (0.52 km2) with 20 buildings, 7 of which are residence halls.
Its association with the Scopes Trial has led to its addition as a stop along the Southeast Tennessee Religious Trail.[10]
Accreditation and ranking
Bryan has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1969.[11]
Bryan ranked 20 for U.S. News & World Report for Baccalaureate Colleges in the South[when?][12] and 4 for Up and Coming Regional Colleges in the South.[13]
Academics
Bryan offers the associate's degree, the bachelor's degree in 20 majors with 40 distinct options,[14] and two Masters degrees: the Master of Business Administration degree and the Master of Arts in Christian Studies degree.[15] 77% of their professors hold terminal degrees in their fields of study.[16]
The Adult and Graduate Studies programs are designed for adult learners to attend school part-time. Students can earn degrees online and onsite, and options include Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degrees. [17]
Athletics
Bryan College athletic teams, nicknamed athletically as the Lions, are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).[18] Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball.
Publications
Bryan Life is the college's alumni magazine and is published quarterly.[19] Illumine is a publication of the Bryan Institute for Critical Thought and Practice.[20] E-Lumine is an e-newsletter for alumni and friends of Bryan, and is published each month except July.[21] The Triangle is a bi-weekly student newspaper containing articles and stories written by Bryan College students. It also includes stats and updates on the college's sports teams. It is available in print on campus and electronically.[22]