Truett McConnell University


Truett McConnell University is a private Baptist university in Cleveland, Georgia. It is operated under the auspices of the Georgia Baptist Convention and controlled by a board of trustees elected by the convention. The university was named to honor George W. Truett and Fernando C. McConnell.

History

On July 23, 1946, the Georgia Baptist Convention held ceremonies at Cleveland, Georgia, to mark the establishment of a new two-year liberal arts college named for Truett and McConnell. Truett-McConnell College, operating in temporary quarters on or near the town square in Cleveland, first opened in September 1947, when it enrolled a class of 55 students. The school was first accredited in 1966 to issue two year degrees. In December 2002, the institution was approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer four-year degrees.
In fall 2003, a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in church music, which was followed by the December 2005 approval for a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in early childhood education. Truett McConnell University offers 13 Bachelor's degrees with various concentrations in the fields of Business, Christian Studies, English, Education, History, Humanities, Music, and Science. The most recent degree to be approved by SACS is the Bachelor of Arts in World Missions. In spring 2010, Truett-McConnell College received approval from SACS to offer online degrees in Business and Christian Studies.
Enrollment declined from 2033 in 2000 to 468 in 2008 ; then the trend was reversed. In fall of 2010, the school saw its largest enrollment of 751 students, increasing its enrollment by 62% since 2008. In Fall of 2010, Truett-McConnell College announced a new building project, the largest building project in 40 years. It included additions to the Miller Building, a new dorm that would sleep 173 students, as well as an addition to the current dining hall. Ground breaking began late 2010 and construction started in early 2011. The current enrollment is over 2100 students, including residents, commuters, online, and ACCEL students. The administration broke ground in 2015 on the site of the new Student Recreation Center, set for completion in 2016. Following this project, a new chapel and fine arts facility will be underway as well as a new academic building.

Athletics

Truett McConnell teams are known as the Bears; the college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and competes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Men's sports include track and field, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer and wrestling; women's sports include track and field, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball. The initial name of sports teams, "The Mountaineers," was changed to Danes in 1965, and is now the Bears. The new gym and athletic center was built in 1963 and first basket was scored by Barron Pilgrim.

Notable alumni

NameKnown forRelationship to Truett-McConnell
Matt PapaChristian recording artistBA, 2005; First two four-year degree graduates.
Xavier RobertsCreated the Cabbage Patch Kids toy linestudied art at Truett-McConnell
Mitchell WigginsNBA player and father of professional basketball player Andrew Wigginsplayed basketball at Truett-McConnell from 1978-1979