Methodist university in Atlanta, Ga. The campus covers more than 630 acres (255 hectares) and features structures in Italian Renaissance and modern style situated among woods and rolling hills. The institution's history traces back to 1836, when it was founded as Emory College in Oxford, Ga. The college was named for John Emory, a Methodist bishop. Classes ceased during the American Civil War, when the campus was used as a Confederate hospital center and was later occupied by Union troops. In 1915 a charter was granted to establish Emory University in Atlanta. A two-year college (called Oxford College of Emory University) still exists at the original site, and undergraduates can complete their beginning studies there if they choose. In the latter part of the 20th century, the university was able to add many new buildings, offer more financial aid, and recruit more top-notch faculty through its healthy endowment, which was significantly increased by contributions from the Woodruff and Candler families of Coca-Cola fame. Emory grants bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees. It is ranked among the top universities in the country. Enrollment consists of more than 10,000 students, with graduate students slightly outnumbering undergraduates. The university attracts students from across the United States and several foreign countries. Almost all students ranked in the top quarter or higher of their high school class, and many were National Merit Scholars. Virtually all of the full-time faculty members at Emory hold doctorates. The academic calendar is divided into semesters. Undergraduate offerings include liberal arts and sciences, area and ethnic studies, computer science, education, film studies, music, theater, business, and nursing. More than a third of the classes required for every major consist of general distribution requirements in a variety of liberal arts fields. Special academic options for interested undergraduates include a five-year program in engineering held in conjunction with the Georgia Institute of Technology, programs granting both a bachelor's and a master's degree upon completion, early admission into Emory's graduate business school, off-campus study at other Atlanta-area institutions, summer programs in Europe, and government internships. Roughly 60 to 70 percent of undergraduates go on to pursue advanced studies within a year of graduation. Emory itself has numerous graduate programs in the arts and sciences, health professions and related sciences (including medicine), and theology. Its law and business schools are ranked among the best in the nation. Students are required to live in campus housing during their freshmen year, and many choose to remain on-site in subsequent years as well. Campus life includes some 200 extracurricular activities, such as volunteer organizations, musical and theatrical groups, publications, debate team, and intramural sports. A large number of students join fraternities and sororities. Varsity sports teams, nicknamed the Eagles, compete in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. School colors are blue and gold. |