renewing
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the Lord of this place! What does it look like when a top-tier, highly recognized university makes this confession? It looks like serious teaching and scholarship—as faculty and students pursue intellectual discipleship in order to engage the pressing issues of our day. It looks like community—a diverse people all pulling in the same direction, united by a heart for God as they learn and work and grow together. It looks like purpose—inspiring young leaders to live in God’s truth while equipping them to make our world better. It looks like quality—the highest standards for everything that happens because we serve a God who calls us to excellence. Such an institution is driven by faith, directed by core values and grounded in a distinctive mission.
That place is called Union University.
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Union at a Glance
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integration of faith and “ The learning is one of the most important and distinctive characteristics of Christian higher education. Education at a Christian university involves more than the delivery of content in the classroom in an effective way. It also involves helping students learn to see the world through the lenses of a Christian worldview. Other distinctives include providing competencies in one’s chosen field of study and helping to shape character for life and vocation.
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David S. Dockery President, Union University, from his book Renewing Minds, p. 209
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nion University is a place where your dreams and expectations are exceeded. It is a community that has at the center of its excellent academic program a Christian world and life view. Union students are encouraged to move toward a mature reflection of what the Christian faith means for every field of study. It is this commitment that sets Union University apart from many institutions of higher learning in our country. We’re pleased you are taking time to learn more about us; we think you will like what you see. Perhaps the best people to introduce Union are those who have studied here. A recent survey of our seniors concluded: • 99% were very satisfied or satisfied by their regular communication with faculty at Union • 93% were very satisfied or satisfied with their overall quality of instruction at Union
• 92%
were very satisfied or satisfied with the amount of interaction they had with the faculty • 92% were very satisfied or satisfied with their overall experiences at Union In each of these areas, Union exceeds the national average for private universities by five to eight percentage points. How can Union provide such satisfying educational experiences? We believe the answer lies in the four core values that shape our way of life and learning:
EXCELLENCE-DRIVEN CHRIST-CENTERED PEOPLE-FOCUSED FUTURE-DIRECTED
Union University provides Christ-centered education that promotes excellence and character development in service to Church and society.
uu.edu 800.33.UNION 5
Excellence driven
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ince 1997, U.S.News & World Report has ranked Union University as a top-tier institution. Union ranks among the top 15 master’s level universities in the South. In addition to this impressive overall ranking, editors recently ranked Union University among the top three “up-and-coming schools” in the South. Union also ranked among the top five schools in the South “where the faculty has an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.” Recognitions of this kind are awarded only to a few dozen of the nation’s 2,800 degree-granting four-year colleges and universities. At Union, our goal as an institution—and for you personally—is achievement at the highest level.
World Renowned Speakers Much learning takes place outside the walls of a classroom. In addition to an outstanding faculty, Union brings the world’s best-known speakers to Jackson. Keynote speakers at the annual scholarship banquet have included Tony Blair, George H. W. Bush, Former First Lady Laura Bush, Rudolph Giuliani, Mikhail Gorbachev, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Colin Powell, Bob Dole and Condoleezza Rice. A program called Union Forum recently brought Fox News commentator Juan Williams, Time Magazine columnist Margaret Carlson, and independent public opinion pollster Scott Rasmussen to campus. In short, few schools of any size can match the quality of the speakers we bring to campus year after year. Students attend these events free of charge.
Initiative Rewarded Union students are known for taking initiative in many areas. For example, one initiated and led a campaign to raise $50,000 for digging freshwater wells in Sudanese villages. Others place among the top national finishers in pharmacy competitions. And others take a leadership role in the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, earning “top delegation” honors three years in a row among 37 colleges and universities. These accomplishments are not exceptions; they are typical of many of our students and demonstrate what can be done with the support and resources of Union University. Union students work hard and set lofty goals. There are scores of stories about the success they have enjoyed. Here are just a few: Brian Taylor (’05) finished his studies at Union and received a full fellowship and annual stipends for research at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, where he earned a Ph.D. Brian is now a medical physicist and researcher in the Translational Imaging Research Division at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Matt Gentry (’07) completed his B.S. in politics, philosophy, and economics at Union, with minors in mathematics and interdisciplinary studies. As part of his doctoral studies at Vanderbilt, Matt conducted academic research to investigate questions of search and selection in empirical industrial organization. Upon graduation from Vanderbilt, Matt accepted an offer to become an assistant professor at the prestigious London School of Economics. LSE is known worldwide for teaching and research, and has produced 16 Nobel Prize winners.
At Union, our goal as an institution—and for you personally— is achievement at the highest level. uu.edu 800.33.UNION 7
Program Spotlight Marielle Dirkx (’08) majored in business and minored in history at Union. Following her graduation in 2008, she attended law school at the University of Mississippi on a full tuition scholarship. In 2011, Marielle was the top graduate in her law school class and was named Most Ethical and Woman with the Most Academic Achievement. Her first job was clerking for a judge in the Federal Court of Appeals. Jordan Hughey (’12) studied biology during his years at Union. Soon after graduation, he served at Nalergu Hospital in the West African nation of Ghana. His work was arranged through the International Mission Board, and his goal is to get further medical training while also serving the local church. Katherine Pullen (’12) finished a double major in international and intercultural studies as well as journalism. She spent time studying in Beijing and won multiple awards for her journalism work at annual Southeastern Journalism Conferences. She won the Elizabeth Tigrett Medal, the highest academic honor awarded at Union graduation ceremonies. Katherine grew up on the mission field in Kenya and expects to serve as a missionary in Asia.
100 PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Whatever you choose to study, you can be certain Union will help you excel. In department after department, you will find students and faculty setting national standards for excellence. For a closer look at our academic departments, go to uu.edu/academics. We think you’ll like what you find.
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School of Nursing The Union University School of Nursing provides the finest preparation available for students who want to serve the medical community in a time of tremendous technological advances in the healthcare field. All Union nursing students use state-of-the-art patient simulators and benefit from a comprehensive network of clinical partnerships in the region. Nursing students and faculty share their skills with people in need in the local community as well as on mission trips. Intercollegiate Debate Union University’s debate team has won two recent International Public Debate Association championships, and Union junior Abby Williams won the prestigious varsity debate title in 2012. The competition included 24 university teams from eight states. You can find a link to more information about the debate program at uu.edu/org/debate. You can also email debate coach Web Drake at wdrake@uu.edu. Memphis Teacher Residency A master’s degree program offered by Union University in partnership with the Memphis Teacher Residency trains teachers committed to working in an urban environment. Students spend one year living in Memphis, where they will observe and teach at an urban school four days per week and work with an assigned mentor. After graduation, students commit to spending at least three years teaching in Memphis city schools. MTR is drawing students from across the country.
Undergraduate Excellence Union University specializes in traditional undergraduate education. Outstanding classroom instruction and close contact with faculty are the hallmarks of an education at Union. The university even hosts an annual undergraduate scholarship symposium that allows opportunities other schools almost always reserve for students in advanced degree programs. You can read about the event at uu.edu/events/uuss. A few examples of presentations from our undergraduate students: • Business: The Influence of Personality Type on the Propensity to Forward Viral Videos • Chemistry: Aspects of Hydrogen Bonding in Highly Substituted Pyrroles • Computer Science: Speech to Sign Language using a LEGO Robotic Hand • English: A Voice for the Children: Florence Kelley and American Child Labor • Engineering: Warming Hearts in North Africa through Rocket Mass Heaters • Math: Wandering alone in the Garden of Spring: Beethoven’s Adelaide • International and Intercultural Studies: Mitigating the Impact of Refugee Trauma on Unsettled Children • Nursing: Healthcare Economics Poster: Comparison of U.S. and Canadian Health Care Systems • Theology & Missions: Christ as Hermeneutic: The Christological Underpinnings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Interpretation of Genesis 1-3 You’ll gain knowledge from faculty members who are not just leaders in their fields, but who are committed to serving as mentors, coaches and advisors to their students. They’re people who are committed to
classroom teaching and the highest levels of scholarship. The student/faculty ratio at Union is 12 to 1. That’s among the best ratios you’ll see at any university. Each year, Union University interviews top academic achievers from across the nation. They become candidates for scholarships during our Scholars of Excellence Weekend. This past year, the Scholars of Excellence program brought more than 160 top students to campus for a weekend of interviews, discussions and fellowship. On Friday evening, candidates and their parents are President Dockery’s dinner guests and afterwards, candidates visit with faculty members in their homes. Saturday’s agenda includes a round of personal oneon-one interviews and small group discussions with professors on current events and academic articles. Everyone invited to compete during Scholars of Excellence weekend receives offers of significant assistance, from at least $12,000 to full-tuition, room and board. Union also offers a multifaceted Honors Program designed to sharpen your ability to assess ideas – to think freely and constructively across the spectrum of academic fields. The honors program offers students opportunity for advanced study within majors, interdisciplinary study across majors, as well as numerous special events and lectures. What about students who do not excel at these high levels and who may fall short of some minimum admission requirements? Because of its acclaimed Keystone Program, designed to provide additional academic support, Union is also an excellent choice for them. The Keystone Program provides these students the necessary tools to progress academically, with many achieving a level of success they may not have thought possible.
Outstanding classroom instruction and close contact with faculty are the hallmarks of an education at Union. uu.edu 800.33.UNION 9
Study Abroad Each year, about 250 Union students spend time in study abroad programs. Those opportunities take our students all over the world; some studying for days or weeks while others for an entire semester. That’s important because employers look at more than course selections and grades. Many want employees with a global perspective. Students with international study experience enjoy remarkable advantages in the employment marketplace. Union has established an exciting new educational partnership with Singapore Baptists. Because English is commonly spoken there, opportunities abound for study in a variety of fields. Union faculty members are also involved in this partnership, and a few will become
guest professors for students in Singapore. In addition to Singapore, Union’s Institute for International and Intercultural Studies is directly involved with programs in Austria, China, France, Honduras, North Africa, Norway, Spain, Syria and Thailand. Students also are invited to submit proposals for their own study-abroad programs in settings of their choice. To help accomplish its goals, the university partners with groups such as the Consortium for Global Education, an organization that has established more than 240 relationships with educational institutions in about 80 countries, and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), which offers a “Best Semester” program at locations around the globe.
Mary Ellen has studied history at the world-famous Oxford University in the United Kingdom. She focused her work on the period between the two world wars. The trip was made possible in part by a study-abroad scholarship. Mary Ellen says the experience has made my life different and will continue to make my life different, because study abroad helps me learn about other cultures and has opened my eyes to new perspectives.
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Mary Ellen Poe senior, economics and history, Jackson, Tenn.
Union Awards and Milestones • U.S.News
& World Report recently ranked Union among the top 15 regional universities in the South, and has ranked Union as a Top Tier school every year since 1997. Editors also recently named Union among a small group of national “Schools to Watch” and third in the South among schools identified with an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. • First Things magazine recently surveyed about 700 church-related colleges and universities and then named Union University one of the nation’s top 12 Protestant institutions.
• Every
year since 2006, Union has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. It represents the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. • Union University’s bachelor’s degree program in engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET Inc., the recognized accrediting body of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology. Union is one of only four CCCU member schools in the South with that standing. • The Chronicle of Higher Education recently named Union to its honor roll in the annual survey of “Great Colleges to Work For.” Not only was Union among only 30 four-year institutions on the honor roll, it was one of only three schools in the nation to place in 11 of 12 categories. • The School of Education won the Model of Excellence Award from the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education for the top education program in the United States for moral and ethical preparation. • First-time test takers from Union University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program have a 100 percent pass rate on the national registered nurse licensure examination. The NCLEX-RN tests graduates on topics that cover the entire human lifespan—from newborn to geriatrics. • Union’s student-produced Cardinal & Cream was named the top campus newspaper in the South in 2011 and finished third in 2012 from among 68 schools, including a number of flagship state universities at the Southeast Journalism Conference. The Cardinal & Cream has placed in the top 10 during seven of the past eight years. The paper’s website ranked second. Union students took home 14 individual awards—more than any other school in the competition.
U.S.News & World Report has ranked Union among the top 15 regional universities in the South. uu.edu 800.33.UNION 11
Outstanding Faculty Renewing minds at Union means reclaiming the Christian Intellectual Tradition and engaging the culture. These lofty goals cannot be attained without a committed and well-prepared faculty. We have invested in a faculty who bring the best in academic preparation, classroom teaching and mentorship to our growing campus. When you meet even a small group of faculty members, you’ll see why excellence-driven scholarship that renews minds is the hallmark of a Union education. Space does not permit a comprehensive listing of all our faculty members and their impressive accomplishments. But we thought you’d enjoy reading about a few faculty members who are representative of Union’s overall commitment to top-tier academic excellence.
1. C. Ben Mitchell Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy Editor, Ethics and Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics Co-author, Biotechnology and the Human Good Co-author of Zondervan’s forthcoming International Dictionary of Christian Bioethics
2. Gregory A. Thornbury Dean, School of Theology and Missions Co-author, Shaping a Christian Worldview Senior Editor, Kairos Journal
3. Randall Bush Professor of Philosophy D.Phil., Oxford University
4. John Netland Chair, Department of English Ph.D., UCLA
5. Jeannette Russ Associate Professor of Engineering Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
6. Jason Crawford
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The excellence-driven core value permeates all aspects of life at Union. For example, the commitment to academic excellence is shared by so many students. It makes learning and excelling so much easier for me and it’s something I really appreciate.
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Taylor Hare sophomore, English, Nashville, Tenn.
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Assistant Professor of English Lilly Fellow Ph.D. Harvard University
7. Hal Poe Charles Colson Professor of Faith and Culture Author of more than a dozen books, including The Gospel and Its Meaning
8. Kevin Chen Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies Degrees from University of California-Berkeley and Stanford University
9. Hunter Baker Associate Professor of Political Science Dean of Instruction Senior Editor, Renewing Minds: A Journal of Christian Thought (Union University Press)
10. George Guthrie Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Biblical Interpretation Author of Read the Bible for Life, which has sparked a nationwide drive to restore biblical literacy
11. Ray Van Neste Director, Ryan Center for Biblical Studies Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
12. Cindy Jayne Director, Institute for International and Intercultural Studies University Professor of Languages
13. Jennifer Gruenke Biology, Immunology, Science and Faith Ph.D., University of Virginia
14. Jimmy Davis O.P. and Evalyn Hammons University Professor of Pre-Medical Studies Ph.D., University of Illinois Additional Study, Harvard University and Oxford University
15. Julia Duin Assistant Professor of Journalism Former religion editor for the The Washington Times, frequent contributor to the Washington Post and the author of five books
16. Scott Huelin Director, Honors Program Ph.D., University of Chicago
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uu.edu 800.33.UNION 13
Christ centered
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nion integrates the Christian faith with top-tier academics in a way that is rare in the world of higher education. Union provides multiple opportunities for community service and mission projects around the globe. Our students want to make the world a better place. While these things are important to us, we also take a far more comprehensive approach to applying the term “Christ-centered.” Whether you’re studying accounting or art, engineering or sociology—or any of our 100 programs of study—you’ll understand your role in that field within the context of the Christian faith. Combine this type of classroom experience with outstanding chapel services and numerous mission and ministry opportunities, and the result is a comprehensive approach to life and learning. In class projects, lectures and campus activities, the Christian Intellectual Tradition forms the foundation for learning. This approach is the hallmark of a Union University education.
Global Opportunity (GO) Trips As you consider Union University, you should know that we offer some of the best opportunities for missions and ministry available anywhere through GO Trips. Our community is committed to sharing the love of Christ with a hurting world and demonstrating servant leadership in practical ways. These trips take our students to destinations as near as Memphis and as far away as China. During a recent summer, our students conducted home medical visits in Uganda, prayed with German college students and led basketball camps in Southeast
Asia. Our students also “GO” during winter and spring breaks. Most of the destinations are overseas. The stories and pictures these students bring home are incredible. Their lives are changed as they work to serve people in need of improved health care, education or spiritual guidance. GO Trips have become one of Union University’s strongest and most important traditions.
RECENT GO TRIP LOCATIONS Domestic Boston, Mass. Carbondale, Ill. Louisville, Ky. Memphis, Tenn. Nashville, Tenn. Providence, RI. Tampa, Fla.
Overseas Brazil, Central Asia, Dominican Republic, East Asia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Middle East, North Africa, Philippines, Romania, Ukraine
Day of Remembrance Although our students work and study all over the world, much investment of time and caring is also made in our own Jackson community. Each fall, the campus shuts down for a day so students, faculty and staff can complete service projects throughout West Tennessee. This “Day of Remembrance” has become one of Union’s most cherished and anticipated events. In a recent year, 70 projects were completed on this single day of service.
In class projects, lectures and campus activities, Christian truth forms the foundation for learning. uu.edu 800.33.UNION 15
Spiritual Life Spiritual Life at Union University will help you combine a love for God and a love for learning. You’ll have a chance to join the adventure of developing and living out your faith during your college years. Here are a few of the programs Spiritual Life offers: Klemata and Man Up Klemata trains undergraduate female students at Union University in the discipline of Bible study as the foundation for leading women to love God with their heart, soul, and mind. Man Up is an opportunity for men to address key issues affecting the pursuit of a life of holiness and excellence. Large group worship, mentoring relationships with older adults and teaching are also a part of these experiences, which have attracted several hundred participants each year. LIFE Groups These student-led groups for new students provide encouragement, assistance, and support through a network of relationships. LIFE Groups give you a chance to meet other students within a small group setting that is relaxed and comfortable. It is a place where you are accepted for who you are. Servant leadership is a major part of Union University’s focus on Christ-centered education. Our students, who will become tomorrow’s leaders in the church and their communities, are already busy serving here in Jackson.
For example, generations of Union students have taken active roles in the vital work of Jackson area congregations. You’ll find them working on afterschool tutoring programs in the inner city and helping with a ministry to an apartment complex. Although these programs are not sponsored by Union, they are a traditional part of the Union experience. Our students find places of service, and local churches depend upon them. Two more examples: Union students have expressed widespread concern about the worldwide orphan population, which now exceeds 140 million. Union’s campus was one of a small number of national stops for The Red Bus Project, which ultimately aims to provide care for orphans and funding for families to adopt children. Union students collected dozens of boxes of clothing for the project. J-Crib Ministries is an outreach in the Jackson area that matches children and teenagers with college-age students who provide mentoring leadership. Union students volunteer to help with after-school tutoring, Summer Camp, Bible studies and support for families. Nearly 100 Union students have taken part in some aspect of this ministry in the past year. This is only a small sampling of the type of work our students do in the Jackson community. But their work is not limited by geographic boundaries. In fact, Union is known around the world for sending students across oceans and continents in service to others.
Union is known around the world for sending students across oceans and continents in service to others.
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helps you understand “ Union what it means to be a Christian in a world that really doesn’t favor Christian values anymore. I really like the person that I’m becoming. I’m starting to learn how to balance my Christian beliefs with my career goals.
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Claudia Velasco senior, business administration, Johnson City, Tenn.
People focused
me as a professor, there “ For is nothing more exciting than seeing a student come into a class at one point, and leave that class transformed—so that they are going to live their lives differently.
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George Guthrie Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible, School of Theology and Missions
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nion combines the advantages of being a nationally recognized university with the personal attention of a close-knit learning community. Professors will know your name and care about your future. That combination of small-school closeness and bigschool amenities is a unique advantage for our students. A few more examples: • Union is large enough to offer 100 programs of study on the undergraduate and graduate levels, yet small enough that 100 percent of our classes are taught by professors rather than graduate students. • Union is large enough to be recognized in national rankings and publications, yet small enough that every new incoming student is prayed for by name before they arrive on campus. • Union is large enough to attract renowned scholars to its faculty, yet small enough that students often are invited to dinner in the homes of these scholars. In fact, faculty members also give out their home telephone numbers and reserve office time for anyone needing extra help. • Union is large enough to get national attention in athletics (including five national titles in women’s basketball in recent years), yet small enough to provide individual guidance on personal fitness and intramural activities that benefit all students. • Union is large enough to support what has been
named the best college newspaper in the South, yet small enough that professors and students informally discuss the most controversial news of the day over coffee or at the lunch table. If you go to Barefoots Joe, our on-campus coffee house, you’ll see what this means. You might find a student sipping coffee with a professor and discussing common interests. You’ll discover a place designed and decorated by students. It’s a place where they can meet up with friends, find a relaxing study environment or unwind after a long day. At Union, students are priority one. As Union continues to grow, we will never lose our focus on individual students. So we’ve made students and instruction a financial and philosophical priority. We’ve invested in an impressive 12 to 1 student/faculty ratio. We’ve made classroom instruction a priority for our faculty. They publish and research, too. But they’re available to work with students at every level. These men and women make exceptional efforts to help you achieve. Personal relationships are treasured at Union, and are crucial to your success. At Union, we see students, faculty and staff as a single authentic community. That approach values relationships, tradition and trust. It creates fertile ground for learning and achieving at the highest levels.
Union combines the advantages of being a nationally recognized university with the personal attention of a close-knit learning community. uu.edu 800.33.UNION 19
you set foot on campus and walk through the “ When buildings, I think that you feel a very special sense of community. Relationships are very important here, regardless of how much Union grows. There’s this special sense of knowing we’re all striving to serve Christ. That creates a unique atmosphere.
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Hannah Strickland senior, elementary education, Jackson, Tenn.
Starting with the proper Focus
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Quad Layout
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Union University offers students a wide selection of top quality residence life experiences. It starts with four quads completed in 2008 (Ayers, Hurt, Watters and Grace), and another quad that opened in Fall 2010 (Hope). You’ll be happy to know that students had a key role in designing the new buildings, and we think you’ll love the results. Available in each four-bedroom apartment: • A private bedroom for every student (a longstanding Union tradition) • Two bathrooms • Kitchenette and living room • Washer and Dryer – no charge to use • Safe rooms on the first floor of every building You will experience the same atmosphere in which students have thrived for years: a design that combines
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the benefits of fellowship and community with the opportunity for privacy. Union’s on-campus facilities are among the best you’ll find anywhere. The majority of freshmen students are assigned to the Heritage Residence Complex. As with the quads, Heritage residents enjoy the benefits of a private kitchen and living room in each four-bedroom apartment. And again, each bedroom is a private room. The McAfee Commons building includes a game room and large gathering room, flat screen TVs, game systems, and comfortable sofas and tables. Complimentary use of washers and dryers is also available in McAfee Commons.
Heritage Layout
New student orientation for all first-time college students and all transfers who live on campus is an experience unlike any other you might have during your college career. When you move in you will be assigned to a Focus group where you and a dozen or so new students will be led by an upperclassman who has been trained to be of service to you. During this time, new students and a few group leaders have the entire campus to themselves. Every activity is designed to help you connect to each other, your new campus home and the Jackson community. You’ll even be invited to President Dockery’s home for ice cream.
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Bowld Student Commons Union’s new residential commons building is designed for the use of all our residential students. Inside, you’ll find multipurpose space for meetings or athletics with a second-floor walking track, television lounges, music rooms, an Internet lounge, game rooms and meeting areas for campus organizations. In addition to 30,000 square feet of indoor space, the outdoor facilities here include courts for basketball and volleyball, as well as bricked-in grills. Students helped design this outstanding facility, which opened in January 2010.
Union’s on-campus facilities are among the best you’ll find anywhere. uu.edu 800.33.UNION 21
Alliance Francophone Alpha Chi Alpha Delta Sigma Alpha Psi Omega Alpha Sigma Lambda Alpha Tau Omega American Advertising FederationUnion University American Institute of Graphic Arts Association for Computing Machinery Athletic Training Students’ Association Baptist Student Nursing Fellowship BIOME Cardinal & Cream Chi Omega College Democrats College Republicans Collegiate Music Educators Association Debate Team Digital Media Studies Society Engineering Student Advisory Committee Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Honors Student Association ink. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inter-Fraternity Council Intersect: Union Sociological Society International Justice Mission Justice & Mercy Kappa Delta Kappa Delta Pi Kappa Mu Epsilon Lambda Chi Alpha Life139 Ministerial Association MOSAIC Mu Kappa Music Ensembles Omicron Delta Epsilon Panhellenic Council Phi Alpha Phi Alpha Theta Phi Beta LambdaPhi Theta Kappa Alumni Association Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society Psi Chi Psychology Club Public Relations Student Society of America
ROTC Rutledge Honorary History Club Sigma Alpha Epsilon Sigma Alpha Iota Sigma Delta Sigma Pi Sigma Sigma Tau Delta Sigma Theta Tau Social Work Reaches Out Society of Physics Students Student Activities Council Student Athlete Advisory Committee Student Members of the American Chemical Society Student Nurses’ Association Student Tennessee Education Association Students for Sustainability Students In Free Enterprise The Torch Union Broadcasting Society Union Film Society Union Nation Union Pre-Law Society Union University Judo Club Union University Transfer Club Untitled Young Alums Zeta Tau Alpha
For a detailed description of each organization and links to individual websites, go to uu.edu/studentservices/organizations.
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Fraternities and Sororities
Student Activities Council
Union University is home to three social fraternities: • Alpha Tau Omega • Lambda Chi Alpha • Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Student Activities Council is committed to providing an exciting program of activities which seeks to promote fellowship, community and fun among the student body. This student-led organization seeks to serve Christ first by serving others. Some examples of the events they’ve staged recently include coffeehouse concerts, benefit events for ministries, and a “Senior Prom” at a local retirement center. SAC also sponsors Family Weekend, Midnight Movies, and trips to area sporting events such as Memphis Grizzlies basketball and Jackson Generals baseball, along with rallies and tailgating for Union University athletics. More information: uu.edu/studentlife/sac.
There are three social sororities: • Chi Omega • Kappa Delta • Zeta Tau Alpha Union University is one of the very few institutions in the 111-member Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to fully integrate a Greek social system with our student life plan. Each of these organizations intentionally incorporates the Christ-centered commitment of the university. The groups support our university mission, and take part in projects that benefit the entire academic community as well as the local community. The Office of Student Leadership Development can also provide information on the Jackson chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Young Alums Young Alums works closely with the Office of University Relations to plan annual milestone events for each class and to foster and grow school affinity. Membership is open to anyone who has achieved sophomore standing.
Each of these organizations intentionally incorporates the Christ-centered commitment of the university. uu.edu 800.33.UNION 23
Athletics The National Collegiate Athletic Association approved Union University’s application to begin the transition to NCAA Division II affiliation in 2011. Pending successful completion of the three-year membership process, Union will join the prestigious Gulf South Conference, one of the premier conferences in Division II. Union begins GSC competition in 2012-13. Union offers scholarships for 13 varsity squads, including baseball (men), basketball (men and women), cheerleading (men and women), cross country (men and women), golf (men and women), soccer (men and women), softball (women) and volleyball (women). Union has a tradition of strong intercollegiate sports teams. The quality of athletic facilities here usually is found only at much larger universities. Our Lady Bulldogs basketball team won backto-back NAIA Division I national championships in 2009 and 2010. They also won the title in 1998, and back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006. Union teams combined to win the TranSouth Conference All-Sports Trophy for the past nine years. Athletics at Union is about more than intercollegiate competition. We also enjoy a vibrant intramural program. At this level, anyone can participate. Some of the more popular activities attract several hundred students. They enjoy the fellowship and fun that comes from friendly team competition. We offer programs including flag football, sand volleyball, water polo, indoor racquetball, basketball, disc golf and rugby.
Union has a tradition of strong intercollegiate sports teams. We also enjoy a vibrant intramural program.
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baskeball) Coach “ (Women’s Mark Campbell has made such a huge impact on my life and I will forever be grateful for that man. He’s not at Union to win championships, he’s there to spread the Gospel. He will tell you that if he doesn’t spread that message, he didn’t have a successful year.
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Kayla Bryant ’11 social work, Shelbyville, Tenn. Member of the 2010 Lady Bulldogs, NAIA D-I National Champions
Future directed
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ou are thinking more and more about the school you will choose, and ultimately, the career path you will take. Right now, you are probably more “future-directed” than at any other time of your life. So it’s only natural for you to wonder how our graduates fare when they leave Union University. It’s good to know that students who were in your shoes just a few years ago are now enjoying some of the best opportunities available anywhere: • Nearly 100% of our faculty-recommended health science students have been accepted to medical school or professional graduate study. • There is a 100% job placement rate for nursing and education graduates. • More than 80% of our graduates have jobs or places in graduate school within a month of receiving their degrees. • Six Union University alumni from a recent graduating class won major academic awards after completing studies at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. • 87% of Union’s undergraduate students who took a PRAXIS test passed it on the first attempt. That’s 16 percentage points higher than the state average. • 77% of Union seniors plan to complete post-graduate work. But being future-directed is defined by more than impressive statistics. It is an investment in students who have not yet joined us—students like you!
Investing in future students When you visit campus, chances are good you’ll see some construction underway. It’s evidence that Union is one of the south’s fastest-growing universities. Union has invested more than $120 million in campus improvements in the past decade. A common question on campus is “What are they building next?” We’ve told you about our new housing on campus. But the construction doesn’t end there. Look at the list of recent and significant building projects completed at Union: • Providence Hall, a 60,000 square foot, three-story building, housing our newly accredited School of Pharmacy and select health sciences. • White Hall, a state-of-the-art, 63,000 square foot science building. • The Carl Grant Events Center, with impressive banquet facilities and visitor reception areas. • Interior upgrading and renovation of the Barefoot Student Union Building including the studentdesigned coffeehouse named Barefoots Joe. • A lighted World Cup-size soccer field for competition and the Smith Memorial Soccer Complex that includes seating for 1,000, a press box and concessions. • An athletic field house with indoor turf room and locker rooms for baseball, softball and men’s and women’s soccer. • The number of available campus parking spaces (2,700) has doubled in the past decade.
Being future-directed is defined by more than impressive statistics. It is an investment in students who have not yet joined us—students like you! uu.edu 800.33.UNION 27
Be Among the First to Study in our New Library For decades, Union University has invested in excellent library resources. But it has become apparent in recent years that the current library space within the Penick Academic Complex is inadequate to accommodate future growth needs. As a new student, you could be among the first to use the new three-story, free-standing library building that will take shape along the Great Lawn. Scheduled completion for the project is early 2014. You will have the advantage of studying in a library building designed to incorporate all the finest 21st century technologies.
28 Proposed new Library Building located on the Great Lawn. TLM Associates, Inc.
Although technology has made “going to the library� less necessary for many types of research, scholars still value opportunities for quiet study or academic collaboration. So the new library building will be equipped with physical space for a wide variety of academic work. As you can imagine, there is much excitement about these plans for a new Union library. Join us for this historic development.
a motivated person. “ I’m I definitely know that I want to
Help us usher in a new era in cutting-edge library science!
go to graduate school. When I set up meetings with professors to talk about possible programs, they really have great answers for me immediately. They don’t sugar-coat it. But they’re encouraging and they’re willing to share from their own experiences.
”
Joshua Morgan senior, psychology, Memphis, Tenn.
invite us to their “ Professors homes all the time just to get to know us. They care about us—even professors outside our disciplines. A year later, an English professor who hosted me for dinner stoped me in the hallway just to see how I was doing, and still remembered my name.
”
Sarah Hill j unior, marketing/psychology, Little Rock, Ark.
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Financial Aid T he annual cost of attending Union University is less than you might expect. If you compare this cost with schools of similar academic quality across the nation, you will find we offer an excellent value and lower total costs than many of our peer institutions. You might expect us to say that. But others with no affiliation to Union University are saying the same thing about us. Each year, an independent research firm evaluates schools based on academic quality and cost. From nearly 1,500 schools, it chooses America’s 100 Best College Values. Once again this year, Union made the list. The Council of Independent Colleges issued a survey recently that showed Union’s tuition was 15% lower than the average cost among its 530 member institutions.
Still, we know attending Union requires a significant investment. Our annual tuition, room, board and fees will total about $34,000 in 2012-13. We are prepared to help you meet these costs. To illustrate that promise, understand that more than 90% of our students receive some form of institutional financial aid. Our Student Financial Planning staff has a welldeserved reputation for finding aid and putting together financial packages that work. They aggressively and tirelessly search out aid sources. They tell many stories each year of students and parents who went into the process thinking they could not afford to come to Union but found out it was indeed possible.
More than 90% of our students receive some form of institutional financial aid.
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Here are a few of the resources we will tap to help you invest in your education at Union University:
Academic Scholarships
Eligibility Based Financial Aid
(Based on ACT/SAT scores, class rank and high school GPA. Renewable by maintaining a 3.0 average at Union.) • National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist Scholarship • National Achievement Finalist or Semi-Finalist Scholarship • National Hispanic Recognition Scholarship • Transfer/Academic Leadership Scholarships • Fine Arts Scholarships • Debate Scholarships • Athletic Scholarships • Leadership Awards
Scholars of Excellence Presidential Scholarship (full tuition, room, board and required fees), Provost Scholars Award (full tuition), Dean’s Scholars Award (75% tuition), University Scholars Award (50% tuition). Applicants for Scholars of Excellence must satisfy the following two criteria: 1. Minimum 31 ACT OR Minimum 1360 SAT (combined critical reading and math scores). 2. Top 15% class rank OR a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Note: Students achieving finalist or semi-finalist status with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will be deemed eligible for Scholars of Excellence competition.
• Alumni
Legacy Scholarships Endowed Scholarships • Institutional Endowed Scholarships • Church and Vocational Ministry Scholarships • Minister’s Dependent Award • Christian Educators Dependent Award • Missionary Dependent Award • Tennessee Baptist Convention Scholarship • Multi-student Award (for more than one student from a family) • Federal and State Aid • Tennessee Scholars Award • Union University Grant • Church
Loans •
Federal Stafford Loan Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) • Alternative Loans through Private Lenders • Federal
Federal Workstudy Institutional Workships •
Employment on the Union campus
For a complete listing of scholarships and financial aid opportunities, go to uu.edu/financialaid. If we can be of assistance to you, please email us at finaid@uu.edu or call us at 731.661.5015.
uu.edu 800.33.UNION 33
union university ND
MT
at a Glance MN
WI
SD
ID
WY
MI
Location NE
UT
YEAR FOUNDED
1823 CO
Emphasis A private, four-year, coeducational liberal arts-based university OK offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Southern Baptist life
more than
4,200 NM
UNDERGRADUATE
& GRADUATE
STUDENTS
FROM 44 STATES & 33 COUNTRIES
STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO
12:1
84% Percentage of Faculty with
HIGHEST POSSIBLE DEGREE IN FIELD
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OH
IN
IL
OLDEST institution affiliated with
AZ
IA
Jackson, Tennessee (area population: 100,000), 80 miles east of Memphis and 120 miles west of Nashville. Forbes magazine recently ranked Jackson as one of America’s top 150 cities KSfor business and careers.
WV KY
MO
VA Nashville
JACKSON
AR
TN
NC
Chattanooga
Memphis
MS
Knoxville
AL
GA
SC
Activities TX
More than 50 major student-produced music and theatre events each academic year; 70 campus clubs, societies, fraternities, sororities and LA other organizations; Cardinal & Cream student newspaper and The Torch, a literary journal, and “Jackson 24/7” daily television news program.
Campus Union University’s main campus in Jackson and its extension campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville cover 360 acres. The wooded Jackson campus features pine groves, sycamores, a variety of oaks including Shumardi oaks lining the great lawn, elm, dogwoods, sweet gums and cherry trees. There are more than 40 major buildings and excellent athletic facilities. Roughly $120 million in new campus construction has been completed during the past decade, including several new Georgian-Colonial classroom buildings that support state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. Most of Union’s on campus housing has been constructed since 2008. Student-suggested design features were incorporated in each new building; all residence buildings include a private bedroom for each student. The campus is situated along the U.S. 45 bypass in north Jackson, and is within a fiveminute drive of Jackson’s largest concentration of retail establishments and restaurants.
FL
NY
Technology
Discipline-Specific Accreditations
Each on-campus apartment is equipped with filtered Internet and cable connections. In ME addition, wireless network access is available in residence commons areas, as well as in each VT academic building and the Student Union NH Building. Students also receive a Union email account and private file storage space on the MA Union network.
• Accreditation
CT
PA
Athletics Varsity Sports RI • Baseball (men) • Basketball (men and women) NJ • Cheerleading (men and women) DE • Cross Country (men and women) • Golf (men and women) MD • Soccer (men and women) • Softball (women) • Volleyball (women) Recently offered intramural sports • Basketball • Bulldog
Madness (free throw, hot shot and three-point content) • Fantasy Football • Flag Football • Frisbee Golf • Indoor Volleyball • Ping Pong (singles and doubles) • Punt, Pass, Kick • Racquetball (singles and doubles) • Sand Volleyball • Soccer • Softball • Strong Man • Ultimate Frisbee
Accreditation Union University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Union University. Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the institution and not to the Commission’s office.
Board for Engineering and Technology • Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education • American Chemical Society • Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education • Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education • Council on Social Work Education • National Association of Schools of Art and Design • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education • National Association of Schools of Music • Public Relations Society of America • Teacher Education Program of the Tennessee Department of Education • Tennessee Health Related Boards
Affiliations • American
Association of Colleges of Nursing Association of Colleges of Teacher Education • Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs • A ssociation of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education • Council of Independent Colleges • Council for Christian Colleges and Universities • Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences • Council on Undergraduate Research • International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities • National Art Education Association • North American Coalition for Christian Admission Professionals • Service Members Opportunity Colleges • Tennessee Association for Counseling and Development • Tennessee Baptist Convention • Tennessee Independent College and Universities Association • American
Programs of study Art* #
Computer Science
Language
Ceramics Digital Media Studies Drawing Graphic Design Painting Photography Sculpture
Applied Linguistics French* Spanish* Teaching English as a Second language*
Biology* # General Biology Cell and Molecular Biology Zoology Conservation Biology
Business Administration* Accounting Actuarial Science Business Administration Economics International Business Management Management for Non-Business Professionals Marketing
Chemistry # Biochemistry Chemical Physics Chemistry* Medical Technology
Communication Arts Advertising Broadcast Journalism Digital Media Studies Film Studies Journalism Media Communications Photojournalism Public Relations Speech Theatre and Speech* Theatre
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Computer Information Systems Computer Science Digital Media Studies Information Technology
Education* # Elementary Education Learning Foundations Grades Pre K-3, K-6, 4-8 Special Education Modified Comprehensive Teacher Licensure, K-12 and Secondary Areas
Engineering Electrical Mechanical
English* # Creative Writing Literature
History* # Honors General Honors Discipline-Specific Honors,
See # note for available majors
International and Intercultural Studies
Global Studies Humanitarian Studies Regional Studies Study Abroad
100 PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Mathematics # Actuarial Science Mathematics*
Music Church Music Christian Studies Communication Arts Music Management Music Marketing Music Education Band* Choral* Music Theory Performance Organ Piano Voice
Nursing Physical Education, Wellness and Sport Athletic Training Athletic Coaching Health Education* Physical Education* Sport Management Communication Marketing Ministry Sports Medicine and Wellness
Engineering Physics Physical Science Physics
Political Science* # Pre-professional Programs Chiropractics Cytotechnology Dentistry Dental Hygiene Health Information Management Medicine Occupational Therapy Optometry Pharmacy Physical Therapy Physician Assistant Podiatry Veterinary Medicine
Psychology Social Work Sociology Family Studies Sociology
Theology and Missions # Biblical Studies – Languages Christian Ministry and Missions Christian Studies Christian Thought and Tradition Philosophy Sport Ministry *Teacher Licensure Available #
his major is available also with T Discipline-Specific Honors
Just 10 years after his graduation from Union, Chad Wilson is a bank president and a leader in his community. Chad says he draws on aspects of his Union education every day. eternally indebted to “ I’m what Union has done in its preparation of how I need to think about life. More than the specific things I learned at Union, learning how to think transformed everything that I do, and caused me to see my work as a platform for ministry. Ultimately, I’m more than an ambassador for the bank; I’m an ambassador for Christ. And I don’t know that I would have thought that way had I not been shaped by the influences at Union.
alumni spotlight
Physics*
”
Chad Wilson, ‘01
President, McKenzie Banking Company McKenzie, Tenn.
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1. Penick Academic Complex 2. Blasingame Academic Complex 3. Hammons Hall 4. Barefoot Student Union Building Undergraduate Admissions 5. Carl Grant Events Center 6. Miller Tower 7. Location of New Library 8. Jennings Hall 9. Providence Hall 10. White Hall 11. Photo House 12. Fesmire Field House and Press Box
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Four Seasons of Miller Tower, photos by Angela Abbamonte, photojournalism, class of 2011
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One Day give us
Take a closer look at Union University Campus literature can only give you a taste of what’s inside Union University. To see for yourself, you need to give us one day. Come to Union University and sit in on classes. Meet professors and staff, and ask them tough questions. Eat in our cafeteria and even spend the night in an apartment on campus if you wish. You’ll get to know students who recently faced the same major decisions you’re making now. If you’d like to join us for a Preview Day, please register online at uu.edu/campusvisit, call us toll free at 1.800.33.UNION or contact us via e-mail at info@uu.edu. We would request that you contact us at least one week in advance of your planned visit. Even if you cannot attend one of the seven designated Preview Days, we hope you’ll get in touch with us to arrange a visit that better fits your schedule.
2012-2013
Preview Days Fall 2012 Friday
September 14 Friday
October 19 Friday
uu.edu CLOSER LOOK TAKE A
AT UNION
800.33.UNION
November 9
Spring 2013 monday
January 21 monday
February 18 Friday
March 8 Friday
April 19
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literature I read about “ The Union described exactly what I was looking for in a university. There was a part of me that said ‘could this really be true?’ Since I’ve been a student here, I’ve been surprised—pleasantly surprised —by how my expectations have been surpassed. It’s even better than what was described in the literature that I received. It’s been wonderful.
”
Gracie Wise junior, English and history, Searcy, Ark.
Apply today Find out more about Union University We’ve only begun to describe the many great things you will experience at Union University. We know you’ll probably have a lot of questions. We know you’ll want to give this decision prayerful consideration. But don’t wait too long to ask those questions or submit an application. Union uses a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed and admission decisions are made on a regular basis beginning each September. That means we continue filling a new class until there is no more space. For that reason, it’s very important that you apply as early as possible. The quickest way to begin is to apply online today at uu.edu/apply. We’ve seen our approach to Christian education bring out the best in thousands of students through the years. We believe our four core values can be the strong foundation upon which you build your life. It’s time to take the next step. Visit us. See why an Excellence-driven, Christ-centered, People-focused, Future-directed education will make a life-changing difference for you.
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Apply online at uu.edu/apply Office of Undergraduate Admissions 1050 Union University Drive | Jackson, Tennessee 38305 1.800.33.UNION | uu.edu