Faulkner University

Faulkner University
Former names	Montgomery Bible School (1942–1953); Alabama Christian College (1953–1985)
Motto	For God and For You
Type	Private university
Established	1942; 82 years ago
Religious affiliation	Churches of Christ
Endowment	$15.3 million (2020)
President	Dennis Mitchell Henry
Academic staff	118
Students	3,574
Undergraduates	2,212
Location	Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.; 32°23′8″N 86°13′2″W / 32.38556°N 86.21722°W
Campus	Urban, 74 acres (0.30 km2)
Colors	Blue & White;
Nickname	Eagles
Sporting affiliations	NAIA – SSAC (primary); NAIA – Mid-South (football only)
Website	www.faulkner.edu

Faulkner University is a private Christian university in Montgomery, Alabama. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ.

History

The university was founded in 1942 by Rex Turner, Leonard Johnson and Joe Greer as Montgomery Bible School. In 1953 the school's name was changed to Alabama Christian College ('ACC)'. In 1965, the college was moved to its present location on Atlanta Highway. The year 1975 marked the beginning of the school's satellite campuses in Mobile, Huntsville and Birmingham. In 1985, the school was renamed Faulkner University in honor of James H. Faulkner, a longtime supporter and chairman of the board.

Accreditation

Faulkner University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, a doctorate in humanities, a doctorate in biblical studies, and Juris Doctor degrees.^[4]

Admissions

In 2023, the university accepted 82.4% of applicants, with those admitted having an average 3.36 GPA. Faulkner does not require submission of standardized test scores. Those submitting test scores had an average 950-1130 SAT score (6% submitting scores) or average 17-24 ACT score (47% submitting scores).^[5]

Tuition and financial aid

In the 2017-2018 award year, Faulkner University had 1,700 students receiving Federal Pell Grants, totaling $7,229,388.^[6]

Athletics

The Faulkner athletic teams are called the Eagles. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC; formerly known as Georgia–Alabama–Carolina Conference (GACC) until after the 2003–04 school year) for most of their sports since the 1999–2000 academic year; while its football team competes in the Sun Division of the Mid-South Conference (MSC), starting since the 2016 fall season.^[7]^[8]

They were also a member of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the South Region of the Division I level; which they won the national championship in baseball in 2001.^[9]

Faulkner competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball and volleyball. Club sports include bass fishing, cheerleading and eSports.^[10]

Notable alumni and faculty

Alumni

Bobby Bright – United States Congressman from Alabama^[11]
Marcus Brimage – professional Mixed Martial Artist, former UFC competitor^[12]
Corey Black Baseball, Chicago Cubs
Ray Ray Armstrong Football, New York Giants
Austin Adams - Major League Baseball

Faculty

Allison Garrett – Associate Professor of Law (2004–07)
Michael A. O'Donnell – Assistant Professor of Family Studies, Dean of Professional Studies

Graduate programs

Law

Faulkner operates the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, with between 200 and 300 students.^[13]^[14] The school of law was provisionally accredited by the American Bar Association in 2006, and fully accredited in 2009.^[15]

Theology

The Kearley Graduate School of Theology, which opened the fall of 2013, offers students Masters of Arts degrees in Biblical Theology,^[16] as well as a low-residency PhD in Biblical Studies.^[17]

Humanities

Faulkner University teaches from the canon of literature known as the Great Books of the Western World. Students attending Faulkner University are able to obtain a low-residency master's degree or a PhD in the Humanities through the university's Honors College.^[18]^[19]