Shorter University

Shorter University was founded in 1873 by Luther Rice Gwaltney, pastor of the Rome Baptist Church, as a women's college known as the Cherokee Baptist Female College.[3] The college was renamed in 1877 to Shorter Female College because of the financial contributions of Alfred and Martha Shorter.[3] Shorter was located in Victorian-style buildings on Shelton Hill near downtown Rome and educated young women at primary, preparatory and collegiate levels.[3] Classes were held Tuesdays through Saturdays and early curriculum included science, music, art, drama and literary works.[3] Through additional contributions from the J.L. Bass and J.P. Cooper families, the university was relocated to its current site just outside Rome in 1910.[3] During the 1920s the college constructed the first indoor swimming pool in the United States and swimming became a physical education graduation requirement.[1] The era also included the first women were selected for the Board of Trustees. During the 1920s Shorter became an accredited member in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, in which the university holds accreditation.[3]

Through the years of the college struggled with financial problems during the 1930s with the Great Depression and World War II in the 1940s, Led by President Paul M. Cousins faculty took cuts in salary in the periods of crisis.[3] Academics were strengthened through membership with the National Association of Schools of Music.[3]

In the 1950s, the college became co-educational and the addition of male students created a need for a new male-only residence hall. The university also began intercollegiate athletics program in the NAIA and initiated new clubs organizations and fraternities.[3] Randall Minor became the college's 14th president in 1958.[3] Under Minor, control of the selection process for trustees was given to the Georgia Baptist Convention. The college constructed a new administration building, student center, library, fine arts center and hired additional faculty for the expanding school.[3] The late 1950s also saw the first African-American student graduate.[3]

The political and social climate of the 1960s had a great effect on the college throughout the decade. During the era the student government's power increased and new organizations were created on campus. A number of special events were held on campus, including memorial services for both the John F. Kennedy assassination and Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Earth Day was observed for the first time.[3] In 1973 Shorter College celebrated its 100th anniversary through special activities and traditions.[3] In 1948, admission was opened to boys and the school was renamed Shorter College.

Ben and Ollie Brady School of Nursing

International programs began in the 1990s and the university expanded MBA programs and adult education programs with the establishment of the School of Professional Programs in the Atlanta area.[3] The university dedicated the Winthrop-King Centre and created the Fitton Student Union when it converted the old gym into the facility. Shorter College constructed the Bass Apartments, the J. Robert Eubanks Welcome Center and the Robert H. Ledbetter baseball field.[3]

In 2005, the college attempted to break away from the Georgia Baptist Convention.[4] The Georgia Supreme Court, however, ruled that Shorter's board didn't have the authority to sever ties with the convention.[5] On June 1, 2010, Shorter College changed its name to Shorter University to reflect the institution's growth and expansion.[1][6] In December 2012 SACSCOC reaffirmed Shorter University's accreditation through 2022.[7]

In October 2011, the university introduced a requirement that its employees sign a "Statement of Faith" and a "Personal Lifestyle Statement" in which they agree to adhere to the following principles:[8]

• loyal to the mission of Shorter University as a "Christ-centered" institution affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention.
• not engage in the use, sale, possession, or production of illegal drugs.
• reject as unacceptable all sexual activity not in agreement with the Bible, including, but not limited to, premarital sex, adultery, and homosexuality.
• not use alcoholic beverages in the presence of students, and abstain from serving, from using, and from advocating the use of alcoholic beverages in public and in settings in which students are present or are likely to be present.