Averett University

Averett University
Other name	AU
Former names	Union Female College (1859–1917); Averett College (1917–2001)
Motto	Latin: Irreparabile Tempus
Motto in English	Irreparable Time
Type	Private university
Established	1859; 165 years ago
Endowment	$21.3 million (2019)
President	Tiffany M. Franks
Academic staff	270
Students	1879
Undergraduates	870
Postgraduates	1000
Location	Danville, Virginia, United States
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Blue and Gold
Nickname	Cougars
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division III – ODAC
Mascot	Ave and Rett
Website	www.averett.edu

Averett University is a private Baptist university in Danville, Virginia.^[3] Founded in 1859 as a women's college, Averett became a 4-year, coeducational institution in 1969. In 2011, the university restored its Baptist affiliation, renewing a relationship that had existed from Averett's founding until 2005.

History

The school was chartered in 1859 as Union Female College and became affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia in 1910. The school's name was changed to Averett College and received accreditation as a junior college in 1917. Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools followed in 1928. Averett became a coeducational four-year college in 1969 and offered its first graduate programs in the 1980s. The school changed its name to Averett University in 2001.

In 2005, the Baptist General Association of Virginia dissolved their ties with Averett after the university abandoned Baptist positions on homosexuality.^[4] In November 2011, the Baptist General Association of Virginia voted to restore the association's relationship with Averett University.^[5]

Academics

Averett University offers associate and bachelor's degree programs in approximately 30 majors. There are also two master's degree programs available: a Master of Education degree and a Master of Business Administration degree. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1.^[6]

Undergraduate admissions

In 2023, the university accepted 76% of applicants, with those admitted having an average 3.07 GPA. Averett University is standardized test optional and applicants do not have to submit either SAT or ACT scores. Of applicants, only 3%–4% submitted scores.^[7]

Flight School

Averett University has a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Management degree with two concentration options: Aviation Business and Flight Operations. Also available is a joint Aerospace Management/Criminal Justice bachelors degree.^[8]^[9] The university has a FAA-approved Part 141 Pilot School with flight operations conducted out of the Danville Regional Airport (KDAN) that is close to campus. ^[8]^[10]

Rankings

For 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked Averett University #15 out of 132 Regional Universities South, #12 in Best Value Schools, and #31 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.^[6]

Campus

Averett's main campus is a 19-acre (77,000 m²) campus on West Main Street in Danville. The 70-acre (280,000 m²) North Campus Athletic Center and Averett Flight Center at Danville Regional Airport are also in Danville. The 100-acre (0.40 km²) Equestrian Center in Pelham, NC lies just across the Virginia-North Carolina border.

Averett's adult education program, Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS), has campus centers in Danville, Richmond, and Tidewater. GPS classes are offered at 12 locations around Virginia.

Student life

Averett Student Foundation

Averett Student Foundation members represent the university at special functions such as plays, receptions and donor recognition events.

The Chanticleer

Averett's student-run news magazine, The Chanticleer, was established in 1922.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) is Averett's student governing body.

Athletics

Averett competes in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports, and its athletic teams are called the Cougars. The university is a member of the Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) since the 2022–23 academic year.^[11] The Cougars previously competed in the USA South Athletic Conference (USA South) from 1978–79 to 2021–22.

List of teams

Men's Sports:

Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball (Coming 2023-24)
Wrestling

Women's Sports:

Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball

Coed Sports:

Cheerleading
Dance
Equestrian
Esports

Facilities

Matches are played at "Cougars Den", in Danville, which has a maximum seating capacity of 1,500.^[12] Redevelopment of the facility began in 2014 with new turf and lights for the existing stadium, and the field being renamed "Daly Field".^[13] Further development of the stadium complex followed, with it being named "Frank R. Campbell Stadium".^[11]