Oxford College origin dates back to 1830s

A ground breaking ceremony is held in 1968 to celebrate the start of construction on a new $600,000 library at Oxford College. From left area Dean Bond

Fleming of Oxford College, Emory University President Sanford Atwood and Emory Board Chairman Henry Bowden. Archives | The Covington News

By TAYLOR BECK

tbeck@covnews.com

Oxford College of Emory University is nearly as old as Newton County.

Oxford College’s origin dates back to the early 1830s — when Andrew Jackson was president and the population of the newly formed Newton County was only 11,000.

The Methodist Episcopal Church first founded what was originally known as Emory College after receiving a charter for the liberal arts institution in 1836. In addition to the school, the city of Oxford was also established. The city was named for Oxford University in England (the alma mater of Methodism’s founders), and the school for John Emory, a bishop.

The college’s early leaders included Ignatius Alphonso Few, Alexander Means, Augustus Baldwin Longstreet and George Foster Pierce. Few was the college’s first president.

From 1861-1866, Emory College closed its doors as the Civil War was underway. The campus was actually commandeered to house Confederate soldiers wounded in the Battle of Atlanta and is later occupied by Union troops.

Roughly 16 years after the college reopened, George Seney, who was a Methodist layman from Brooklyn, New York, made a sizable donation that funded the construction of what is known today as Seney Hall — the college’s most iconic building on campus. Historians say Seney made the donation after he was inspired by a sermon from former Emory President Atticus Haygood entitled, “The New South.”

In 1915, Emory’s Board of Trustees voted to relocate Emory College to a 75-acre tract of land in Atlanta. Four years later, the new campus — now a university — was completed.

What did that mean for Oxford? The original campus at Oxford became home to a variety of educational formats over the next 40 years, which included a college preparatory academy, a junior college, and a four-year high school/college combina-

Pictured is the first administration building of Emory College. It was torn down in 1872.

Archives | Oxford College

tion.

It wasn’t until 1931 that the first 10 women enrolled at the school, which led to a major change in 1955, when Oxford shifted from being an all-male institution and the first full-time women students were admitted.

In 1964, the institution was renamed Oxford College of Emory University and settled into the two-year undergraduate college it is today. The college has worked to place focus on quality teaching through small classes and close faculty-student relationships.

In 1988, Leadership Oxford was founded to “establish greater camaraderie among student club leaders and to coordinate efforts across the student body.”

Since 2006, Oxford has completed several improvement and restoration projects across its historic campus, including the renovation of Seney Hall and Language Hall — renamed Johnson Hall in 2021 in memory of the late Alcovy Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. Johnson was an esteemed alumnus of Oxford College and native of Newton County.

In 2021, the private institution’s total enrollment was 993 with students from all over the world.

After graduation, young professionals with a degree from Oxford College of Emory University are undoubtedly prepared for the next chapter in their lives.

A survey of the Emory Class of 2018 conducted fewer than three months after graduation found 43% of former students had found full-time employment and 38% were continuing their education. Only 8% were seeking opportunities.

Since its establishment, Oxford College has been one of Newton County’s leading employers and an economic driver for the state of Georgia. In Newton County alone the supports 520 jobs and boasts a reported annual economic impact of $79 million. Statewide, the college supports 1,500 jobs and maintains an annual economic impact of approximately $262 million.

OXFORD COLLEGE LEADERSHIP Deans of Oxford College: 2016 - Douglas A. Hicks 2005 - Stephen H. Bowen 1999 - Dana Greene 1986 - William H. Murdy 1976 - J. William Moncrief 1966 - N. Bond Fleming 1945 - Vigil Y. C. Eady

Associate Deans of Emory at Oxford: 1934 - George S. Roach 1930 - Hugh A. Woodward

Principals of Emory University Academy: 1922 - A.W. Rees 1918 - J.A. Sharp 1916 - A.M. Hughlett 1915 - Robert C. Missile

Congratulates Newton County on the Occasion of its 200 th Birthday!

Celebrating Newton County

Proud community partner since 1836

Mayor: David S. Eady City CouncilMembers: Lynn Bohanan , George Holt,Laura McCanless , Jeff Wearing,Jim Windham, Avis Williams City Manager: Bill A ndrew City Clerk/Treasurer: Marcia Brooks