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— CH. 1 · FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS —

Mercer University

~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
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  • On the 14th of January 1833, thirty-nine boys gathered in Penfield, Georgia to open the Mercer Institute. Billington McCarter Sanders served as the first president of this new preparatory school. Adiel Sherwood, a Baptist minister who had previously founded a manual labor school, helped establish the institution. Jesse Mercer, a prominent Baptist leader, provided the founding endowment alongside Josiah Penfield. The Georgia General Assembly granted a university charter in December 1837. Mercer adopted its present name in 1838 and graduated its first class of three students in 1841. In 1871, the school moved to Macon, a center of transportation and commerce in Georgia. The School of Law was established in 1873 and later named the Walter F. George School of Law in 1947. During World War II, Mercer participated in the V-12 Navy College Training Program as one of 131 colleges offering military training.

  • Mercer expanded to Atlanta in 1959 when it absorbed the independent Southern School of Pharmacy. The college merged with Atlanta Baptist College in 1972, which became Mercer's Atlanta campus. Dr. Monroe F. Swilley led Atlanta Baptist College before its merger. Between 1982 and 2013, Mercer established nine additional colleges including the School of Medicine in 1982 and the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics in 1984. The university opened its second four-year medical school in Savannah in 2008. A multi-campus Health Sciences Center incorporating programs from multiple schools opened in 2013. Mercer received a $5 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in 2009 for revitalization efforts. The university opened Mercer Lofts, a retail-residential center, on the Macon campus in 2011. In 2014, Mercer completed an extensive renovation of the historic Amanda Bell House to house the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings. The M. Diane Owens Garden was dedicated in April 2018 near Five Star Stadium.

  • On the 18th of April 1963, the board of trustees voted thirteen to five to ratify a policy considering all applications without regard to race or color. This decision made Mercer University the first college or university in Georgia to fully desegregate. Sam Oni, a twenty-two-year-old student from Ghana, became the first Black student to attend the institution. Oni intentionally applied to Mercer to help end racial segregation in the United States. He stated that his role involved breaking the color bar to challenge Southern Baptist brothers and sisters to confront contradictions in Christian witness. Segregationists flew an airplane banner reading Keep Mercer Segregated during the integration process. Despite pressure from both the South and the Southern Baptist Convention, the board successfully voted to integrate the university. Samaria Mitcham Bailey later became one of the first African-American female students at Mercer.

  • In 2006, the Georgia Baptist Convention ended its affiliation with Mercer after 173 years of connection. Before the separation, the convention provided financial support but did not control the university. Friction developed as Mercer resisted restraints on social issues while the convention viewed the university as becoming secularized. The convention reportedly complained about the presence of a pro-gay student group and support for non-Southern Baptist organizations. Mercer is now affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a more liberal group of Baptists. The denomination's official records are stored at Mercer University. The university serves as a partner with this denomination. The American Baptist Historical Society moved to Atlanta in 2008 and houses its largest collection of Baptist historical materials there. The Baptist History and Heritage Society relocated to the Atlanta campus in 2007.

  • Mercer enrolls more than 9,000 students across twelve colleges and schools. The institution is classified as an R2 Doctoral Universities High research activity by the Carnegie Foundation. Annual externally funded research expenditures exceed $36 million due to funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Georgia Research Alliance. The number of doctoral students increased from fewer than 35 to more than 250. The School of Engineering is the only private engineering school in Georgia. The Mercer Engineering Research Center provides research opportunities near Robins Air Force Base. In 2018, the university dedicated the $44 million Godsey Science Center containing sixty teaching and research labs. Phi Beta Kappa chartered a chapter at Mercer in 2015. Students have earned Fulbright, Goldwater, Teach For America, and Peace Corps scholarships. Two of the last three recipients of the Gulf South Summit Award for Outstanding Student Contributions to Service-Learning were Mercer students.

  • Mercer fields eighteen teams known as the Bears on the NCAA Division I level. Men's basketball defeated Duke University in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014. The team finished with a twenty-seven to nine record that season. Mercer received the 2014 Espy Award for Best Upset following this victory. The Tony and Nancy Moye Football and Lacrosse Complex opened in 2013 with ten thousand two hundred seats. Five Star Stadium was named in February 2015 after a multimillion-dollar commitment by Five Star Automotive Group. Mercer played its first football game in seventy-two years on the 31st of August 2013 against Reinhardt University before twelve thousand one hundred seventy-two spectators. The student newspaper The Cluster began publication in 1920 and transitioned to digital-only format in 2022. WMUM-FM radio station provides local content from its broadcast studio on the Macon campus since 2006. The Grand Opera House has been operated by Mercer through a lease agreement with Bibb County since 1995.

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Common questions

When was Mercer University founded and where did it open?

Mercer University opened on the 14th of January 1833 in Penfield, Georgia. The institution began as the Mercer Institute with thirty-nine boys under the leadership of Billington McCarter Sanders.

Who were the founders of Mercer University and what role did they play?

Jesse Mercer provided the founding endowment alongside Josiah Penfield to establish the school. Adiel Sherwood helped create the institution while serving as a Baptist minister who previously founded a manual labor school.

Why is Sam Oni significant to the history of Mercer University?

Sam Oni became the first Black student to attend Mercer University after the board voted to desegregate on the 18th of April 1963. He intentionally applied to the university to help end racial segregation in the United States.

What happened to the relationship between Mercer University and the Georgia Baptist Convention?

The Georgia Baptist Convention ended its affiliation with Mercer University in 2006 after 173 years of connection. Friction developed over social issues and the university's resistance to restraints on those matters.

How many students does Mercer University currently enroll and how are they distributed?

Mercer University enrolls more than 9,000 students across twelve colleges and schools. The institution holds an R2 Doctoral Universities High research activity classification from the Carnegie Foundation.

See all questions about Mercer University →

All sources

144 references cited across the entry

  1. 1inlineNAICU – Member Directory
  2. 2inline"Mercer University endowment surpasses half-billion-dollar mark" – The Den
  3. 3webGeorgia Baptist Convention Finalizes Split with Mercer UniversityNovember 15, 2006
  4. 4webInstitution Data Profile - Mercer UniversityNational Center for Education Statistics
  5. 5webColors and Typography
  6. 6webMercer University Sets Fall Enrollment RecordNews.mercer.edu — November 5, 2014
  7. 7webNews & Features Mercer Trustees Approve Record Operating Budget, Establishment of Health Sciences Centermercer.edu — April 20, 2012
  8. 8webResearch Alliance adds Morehouse, Mercer
  9. 9webMercer approved for Phi Beta Kappa chapter | The TelegraphDavid Schick — October 9, 2015
  10. 10webCarnegie Classifications Institution LookupCenter for Postsecondary Education
  11. 12webMercer University Accepts Invitation to Join the Southern Conference
  12. 13webDawn of a New Era: Mercer Joins Southern Conference
  13. 14encyclopediaMercer UniversityJ. C. Bryant — Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press — September 15, 2008
  14. 15encyclopediaAdiel Sherwood (1791–1879)Jarrett Burch. Eastman — Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press — September 1, 2005
  15. 16webPenfield Project
  16. 17encyclopediaJesse Mercer (1769–1841)William Brent Jones — Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press — March 26, 2005
  17. 18journalFrom Penfield to Macon: Mercer University's Problematic MoveJames C. Bryant — 2005
  18. 19webSwilley Library – Special CollectionsSwilley.mercer.edu
  19. 20webMercer HistoryMercer.edu
  20. 21newsEDUCATION; Hard Work As Closing Of Classes ApproachesFebruary 7, 1990
  21. 22webBiographical Information
  22. 23webMercer University School of Medicine Hosts Ribbon Cutting and Open House for New Mercer Medicine Location in Downtown MaconJuly 28, 2016
  23. 24webNews from Macon and Warner Robins, GA, and beyond – The Telegraph
  24. 25webNews & Features The Lofts@Mercer Villagemercer.edu — December 4, 2009
  25. 26webNews & Features Lofts at Mercer Village Announces Retailersmercer.edu — April 22, 2010
  26. 27webMercer University News.mercer.edu
  27. 28webMercer University News.mercer.edu
  28. 29webMercer University News.mercer.edu
  29. 30webMercer Admissions and Visitors Center | Trident Sustainability GroupTridentsustainability.com
  30. 31webMercer University Newsmercer.edu
  31. 32newsGeorgia College to DesegregateApril 19, 1963
  32. 33webDesegregation of Higher Education - New Georgia Encyclopedia
  33. 34journalA Baptist Dilemma: Christianity, Discrimination, and the Desegregation of Mercer UniversityAlan Scot Willis — 1996
  34. 35webGeorgia Baptist Convention finalizes split with Mercer UniversityNovember 14, 2006
  35. 36webAbout I Mercer University
  36. 37webGeorgia Baptists vote to end relationship with Mercer University after 172 yearsChristianindex.org — November 24, 2005
  37. 38newsMercer, Georgia Baptist Convention come to terms on ending relationshipDecember 14, 2005
  38. 39webAbout the SchoolMercer
  39. 40inlineMercer University announces launch of $400 million capital campaign . Macon.com. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  40. 41inlineMemorial, Mercer break ground on medical school expansion. Businessinsavannah.com. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  41. 42inlinehttp://www.macon.com/2013/03/11/2391381/mercer-lofts-third-phase-approved.hml
  42. 43webSneak Peek: A Musical Legacy RestoredGarden and Gun — February 2, 2015
  43. 44webMercer University TV Station Changes Call Letters, Completes Move from Warner Robins, Announces Affiliation with American Sports NetworkNews.mercer.edu — August 12, 2014
  44. 45webMercer University to Dedicate M. Diane Owens GardenOctober 28, 2014
  45. 46webMercer University and Memorial University Medical Center Break Ground on $18 Million Expansion of Savannah CampusNews.mercer.edu — October 14, 2014
  46. 47webMercer University Launches $400 Million Aspire Capital Campaign at HomecomingNews.mercer.edu — October 31, 2014
  47. 48webChoate Selected for Mercer University College of Pharmacy – Choate
  48. 49webSpearman C. Godsey Science Center
  49. 51webMercer University Admitted to Georgia Research AllianceNews.mercer.edu — October 6, 2014
  50. 52webFacts & FiguresResearch.mercer.edu — May 13, 2015
  51. 53webMercer University News.mercer.edu
  52. 54webSophomore Earns Mercer's Third Goldwater Scholarship in Three YearsNews.mercer.edu — April 1, 2015
  53. 55webMercer University News.mercer.edu
  54. 56webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  55. 57webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  56. 58webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  57. 59webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  58. 60webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  59. 61webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  60. 62webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  61. 63webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  62. 64webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  63. 65webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  64. 66webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  65. 67webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  66. 68webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  67. 69webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  68. 70webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  69. 71webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  70. 72webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  71. 73webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  72. 74webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  73. 75webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  74. 76webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  75. 77webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  76. 78webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University PresidentsTarver.mercer.edu
  77. 79webNational Register of Historical Places – GEORGIA (GA), Bibb CountyNationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com
  78. 81webMercer University.mercer.edu
  79. 82webKnight Foundation
  80. 83encyclopediaWoodruff HouseGeorgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press
  81. 84webFBI Atlanta Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Its New Mercer Atlanta LocationFederal Bureau of Investigation — October 12, 2017
  82. 85webNews & Features Mercer Partners With Columbus Hospitals To Establish Third Medical School Campusmercer.edu — February 10, 2012
  83. 86webColumbus medical school campus is one step closer after groundbreakingKyle Sears — September 8, 2020
  84. 87webMonroe F. Swilley, Jr. Graduate & Professional Library – Mercer University Libraries
  85. 88webMonroe F. Swilley Library in the Spotlight!July 3, 2015
  86. 89webDouglas Regional Academic Centers Library – Mercer University Libraries
  87. 90webJack Tarver Library – Mercer University Libraries
  88. 91webHenry Regional Academic Centers Library – Mercer University Libraries
  89. 92webPeyton T. Anderson Learning Resources Center
  90. 93webLaw Library
  91. 94webFurman Smith Law Library - Library Guides at Mercer University School of Law
  92. 95webServices For Students – Mercer University Libraries
  93. 96webArchives, Special Collections, & Digital Initiatives – Mercer University Libraries
  94. 97webClinton Global Initiative University Highlights Mercer On Mission ProjectMark Vanderhoek — Mercer University — February 16, 2009
  95. 98webNews & Features 5–7–08 Tift College of Education Earns National Accreditationmercer.edu — May 7, 2008
  96. 99webTift College Historical MarkerGeorgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu
  97. 100webMercer Trustees Change the Name of School of EducationMercer.edu — April 19, 2001
  98. 101webGraduate Programs
  99. 102webCelebrating Grace acquires iconic church choral music catalog Brentwood-Benson from Capitol Christian Music Group
  100. 103webCelebrating Grace acquires Smyth & HelwysMark Wingfield
  101. 104webCollege of Continuing and Professional Studies To Be Renamed Penfield College of Mercer University on July 1
  102. 105webCollege of Continuing and Professional Studies to Be Renamed Penfield College of Mercer University on July 1May 7, 2014
  103. 106webGraduate & Professional
  104. 107webAssociated Baptist Press – CBF council picks four schools as identity partners, reports shortfallAbpnews.com — October 16, 2006
  105. 108webAssociated Baptist Press – American Baptist history archives reunited at Mercer UniversityAbpnews.com — September 30, 2008
  106. 109webAssociated Baptist Press – American Baptists will move historical collections to AtlantaAbpnews.com — September 25, 2006
  107. 110webAssociated Baptist Press – Former Southern Baptist history group to join American Baptists at MercerAbpnews.com — February 26, 2007
  108. 111webPrimary Teaching Hospitalsmercer.edu — December 13, 2012
  109. 112webNews & Features Mercer Trustees Approve Operating Budget, New Ph.D Program.mercer.edu — April 15, 2011
  110. 113webCollege of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Mercer UniversityCophs.mercer.edu — July 1, 2006
  111. 114webHistorical TimelineSwilley.mercer.edu
  112. 115webNews & Features 5–8–06 Mercer to Introduce Physician Assistant Programmercer.edu — May 9, 2006
  113. 116webSwilley Library – Special CollectionsSwilley.mercer.edu
  114. 117news100 Years of nursing education at Mercer's Georgia Baptist College of Nursing2002
  115. 118inlinehttp://www.macon.com/139/story/546952.html
  116. 119webNews & Features New Doctor of Nursing Practicemercer.edu — December 8, 2009
  117. 120webMercer University - Profile, Rankings and DataMarch 10, 2016
  118. 121webMercer Makes Best Colleges Guide
  119. 122webNews & Features 3-9-2007 Mercer Recognizedmercer.edu — March 9, 2007
  120. 123webCorporation for National and Community Service
  121. 124webNews & Features 12–18–08 Carnegie Designationmercer.edu — December 18, 2008
  122. 125webCarnegie Selects Colleges and Universities for 2008 Community Engagement Classification
  123. 126webMercer Engineering Research Center
  124. 127webRemembering the Civil Rights MovementSean Kennedy
  125. 128webMacon/WMAZ-TVGannett.com — September 27, 1953
  126. 129webWMAC-AM History
  127. 130webFun Facts : Our College Town, LLC – Go Bears!!Ourcollegetown.net
  128. 131inlineMercer to take over WRWR-TV's programming next week , The Macon Telegraph, March 26, 2014.
  129. 132inlineWRWR Launches MHz Worldview in Macon, GA
  130. 133inlineRabbitEars TV Query for WMUB
  131. 134webAboutMercer Cluster
  132. 135webLetter from the Editor: Closing the door on The Cluster's print editionMary Helene Hall — December 5, 2022
  133. 136webFreshman Makes History as Top Speaker at National Parliamentary Debate Association TournamentApril 10, 2015
  134. 137webCIT
  135. 138webNews & Features Mercer Receives $1 Million Commitment for Basketball Programmercer.edu — April 23, 2012
  136. 139inlinehttp://www.macon.com/2012/04/23/2000592/mercer-basketball-facility-renamed.html
  137. 140inlineDaniel Shirley, "Mercer football/lacrosse stadium renamed following major donation" , The Telegraph, February 26, 2015
  138. 141webDoug McDermott, Breanna Stewart and Mercer men's basketball among ESPY honorees |Rob Dauster — July 16, 2014
  139. 142webESPY Awards 2014 winners and top momentsCBS News — July 17, 2014
  140. 143webNews & Features Mercer to Reinstate Football.mercer.edu — November 19, 2010
  141. 144webFootball ReturnsMercer.edu
  142. 145webNews ConferenceMercer.edu
  143. 146webMercer Unveils 2014 Schedule for Inaugural SoCon Season – Mercer
  144. 147web476 Mercer University