Milestones 1984-2018:
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• In June, 1984, Dr. Jairy C Hunter Jr. assumed the role of President of the Baptist College at Charleston.
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• Started a club football program, BS in Nursing in 1994 and a marching band. • Reaffirmation of accreditation by SACSCOC.
• In 1984, initiated integrated strategic planning process. • Board of Visitors Scholarship Program established. The group of distinguished individuals provides financial resources and assists with student scholarships, recruitment and placement. • Ministers Advisory Council and the Women’s Council established. • The cross country team captured the first championship for CSU in the newly formed Big South Conference. • CSU among the first in the region to require computer literacy of every student as a requirement for graduation. • In 1986, Dr. Hunter was inaugurated as president. Greg Horton, chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “Today as a mantle of leadership is placed upon you, a new chapter in the Baptist College story begins. It begins in a period that is fraught with hazard in the field of Christian education, yet filled with great opportunity. We believe that with your vision, your faith and foresight matched by your experience, wisdom and ability that with God’s guidance you will lead Baptist College to great heights of accomplishment.”
• In 1990, achieved university status and implemented a name change to Charleston Southern University. A national marketing firm assisted the trustees and administration in determining the direction the school should take for the 21st century. After having been known as Baptist College at Charleston for 26 years, marketing research showed that university rather than college status was the key. A task force was formed to recommend to the South Carolina Baptist Convention to approve the new name of Charleston Southern University. • In 1991, Club football moved to NCAA Division III. • The university was named to America’s Best College Buys in 1998. • Charleston Southern University Alumni Association Scholarship established. • The institution was reclassified from a baccalaureate (Liberal Arts) II institution to a Master’s (Comprehensive) II institution in the Carnegie classification of institutions. • Named by the John Templeton Foundation to its Honor Roll of Character Building Colleges, one of only 111 institutions from 32 states chosen for this honor out of 900 candidates.
• Initiated the Alpha Chi Honor Society. • Offered first online course. • Expanded the Presidential Scholars program. • Added intramural sports for men and women. • Began the Values and Ethics Lecture Series, focusing on business, corporate and environmental concerns.
• In 1997, the Horton School of Music was established through a $1 million gift from the family of former Board of Trustees member, the late Dr. Gregory Horton. • Named for the second time to the Templeton Foundation’s Honor Roll of Character Building Colleges.
Spring 2018, vol.28 no.1