Statements
Mission
The mission of American Baptist College, a historically black college with a liberal arts emphasis, is to educate, graduate, and prepare diverse students for Christian leadership, service, and social justice in the world.
Background
American Baptist College is located on an historic 53-acre campus bordering the Cumberland River, a few miles north of downtown Nashville. The first building, Griggs Hall, was erected in 1923 and contained dormitory rooms, a dining hall, a library, and classrooms.
Impact
American Baptist College is a four-year, co-educational, liberal arts college offering 4-year bachelor's degrees and 2-year associate degrees. Formally opening its doors on September 14, 1924, as American Baptist Theological Seminary, the institution was established for the primary purpose of training students for a wide spectrum of leadership roles. Many of the first students were members of the clergy or Christian Education workers. The College's establishment represented an unprecedented effort of cooperation between two thriving Christian denominational entities: one, predominantly African American--the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.--and, the other, predominantly Caucasian, the Southern Baptist Convention. A. Recent Accomplishments:1.) Eager to accept the challenges of servant leadership during one of the most challenging times in American history, ABC students became pivotal leaders in the 1960's Civil Rights struggle. The campus was the birthplace of training in nonviolent resistance. Young students committed to the movement efforts led by The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their courageous determination included several of them becoming leaders of the pivotal Nashville sit-ins. These contributions became legendary, resulting in two ABC alumni being recipients of the nation's highness civilian honor, Presidential Medal of Freedom: Dr. Cordy Tindell Vivian (2003) and Congressman John Lewis (2011), both awarded by President Barack Obama. Other recognized Civil Rights heroes among ABC alumni include Dr. Bernard LaFayette (former ABC President), Dr. Julius Richard Scruggs, James Bevel, and William Barbee. 2.) On March 16, 2015, ABC held an Open House and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand reopening of historic Griggs Hall. The extensive renovation was completed at a cost of $3.5 million. 3.) On March 20, 2013, ABC was officially recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as one of the country's 105 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). This accomplishment recognizes the critical role of ABC in educating predominantly African American students and in preparing them for careers and communities. B. Goals for 2019:1.) Continue to pursue educational and programmatic opportunities for training first generation, diverse, academically- and financially-challenged college students for successful degree completion, graduate studies, careers in leadership, and compassionate care for their communities.2.) Conduct ongoing sponsorship of fundraising initiatives and events, in support of the scholarships for needy students, .3.) Continue campus facility improvements and expansion to accommodate a projected student enrollment of 350 within the next 5 years. 4.) Identify tactics to undergird student scholarships--facing the needs of many diverse, first generation students who experience financial challenges toward degree attainment.
Needs
Pressing needs include the following:1.) Student scholarships covering undergraduate tuition & fees at $5,000 per student/per semester.2.) Restoration of Griggs Hall Living-Learning-Working Center is complete; however, reduction in remaining indebtedness is a priority. 3.) Expansion, renovations and improvements to the Library to make all levels accessible to those with ability challenges. Costs are estimated at $1.2 million.4.) Increase annual fund, cash contributions, grants, and other donations to fund existing & proposed innovative programs: (a) academic success program expansion for ensuring that students successfully graduate; (b) student scholarship assistance to prevent students from being encumbered with life-changing student debt; (c) promoting and delivering training for social justice leadership at the undergraduate and management training levels;(d) documenting ABC's and Nashville's critical role in civil rights history;(e) pursuing innovations in academic support for extremely disadvantaged youth--(homeless or aged out of foster care); and (f) services to support potential & current small business owners--aligned with Entrepreneurial Leadership degree.5.) Celebrating ABC's role in civil rights history with proposed Interactive Freedom Park (cost: $3,000,000)
CEO Statement
At this extraordinary point in our institution's life, American Baptist College is poised for new growth and a bright season of innovation. This year marks the celebration of my 20th year as president, having served in this position since 1999. As we move into the future, strategic planning is a major area of focus. The College leadership continues utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to ensure more informed decision-making and achieving greater success in developing and implementing pedagogical best practices. Even as African American families across the country face economic challenges disproportionate to the economic status of the majority population, our alumni and constituents continue to provide financial and other support, thus ensuring that ABC continues to provide students with a liberal arts education which prepares them for unique roles in servant leadership. As the College's executive leader, maintaining a strong balance of experienced, capable faculty, staff and administration is essential. An important change in our upper management structure, effective in January, 2019, occurred with the appointment of Ms. Phyllis D. K. Hildreth as Vice President of Strategy and Institutional Advancement. In this expanded role, Ms. Hildreth will help ABC expand our vision for institutional advancement by devising and implementing innovative and inspiring strategies and tactics. Joining the team in April, 2019 and further expanding its potential for making a pivotal difference, is Dr. Phyllis Qualls-Brooks, incoming Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement. Dr. Forrest E. Harris, Sr., President
Board Chair Statement
As Chair of the Board of Trust at American Baptist College, I am pleased with our status and progress. My fellow trustees and I take the role of governance seriously; we are pleased to be part of this institution's tradition of excellence. ABC has long celebrated our proud history of nurturing social justice champions, producing students capable of achieving educational excellence, and creating a learning environment that inspires achievement. As an institution, we remain committed to inspiring academic high achievers. On this campus, not only do we develop active scholars, but those scholars graduate to become viable change agents in their local communities. Many also go on to secure prominent places in the world's most respected organizations and corporations. The Board's executive and programmatic committees continue to interact with campus leadership. The overarching theme is to achieve results that continue the pursuit of academic excellence, as the College approaches its centennial celebration in the year 2024.
Mr. Dennie Marshall
Board Chair
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Undergraduate Colleges |
| Secondary Category: | Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy - Civil Rights, Social Action, & Advocacy N.E.C. |
| Tertiary Category: | Community Improvement, Capacity Building - Community Improvement, Capacity Building N.E.C. |
Areas Served
American Baptist College educates students from across the United States. International students have largely attended from the Caribbean (Jamaica and The Bahamas) and the African countries of South Africa, Liberia, and Nigeria. Over the years, the College has also had students from Canada and Asia.
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