THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
OUR HISTORY
Our story began in 1822 as a small, female academy, built on the dreams of a few and the aspirations of many. Since those humble beginnings in a four-room schoolhouse, the institution that we know today as Athens State University has grown to attain a level of significance that shows dreams can come true and that knowledge changes lives.
That is our story!
In 2022, we celebrate our 200th anniversary. ATHENS FOREVER, The Bicentennial Celebration, will honor the historical significance of the University as a private academy, a Methodist college, and now as a state University. We have known incredible highs, experienced significant adversities, and demonstrated a level of resiliency that few could have imagined.
That too is our story!
Our next chapter begins with ATHENS FOREVER, The Endowment Campaign. As the current caretakers of this historic place, made possible by the dreams of those early few, we are responsible for ensuring the story continues. History will judge us based on our stewardship of the legacy that our predecessors handed down to us, the women and men who have benefitted from this place we call Athens. As President Mary Norman Moore McCoy stated so eloquently in 1925, “It is not the Athens College of yesterday, nor the Athens College of today for which I am concerned, it is the Athens College of tomorrow. We must endow Athens College!”
That is our future!
OUR HISTORY
Our story began in 1822 as a small, female academy, built on the dreams of a few and the aspirations of many. Since those humble beginnings in a four-room schoolhouse, the institution that we know today as Athens State University has grown to attain a level of significance that shows dreams can come true and that knowledge changes lives.
That is our story!
In 2022, we celebrate our 200 th anniversary. ATHENS FOREVER, The Bicentennial Celebration, will honor the historical significance of the University as a private academy, a Methodist college, and now as a state University. We have known incredible highs, experienced significant adversities, and demonstrated a level of resiliency that few could have imagined.
That too is our story!
Our next chapter begins with ATHENS FOREVER, The Endowment Campaign. As the current caretakers of this historic place, made possible by the dreams of those early few, we are responsible for ensuring the story continues. History will judge us based on our stewardship of the legacy that our predecessors handed down to us, the women and men who have benefitted from this place we call Athens. As President Mary Norman Moore McCoy stated so eloquently in 1925, “It is not the Athens College of yesterday, nor the Athens College of today for which I am concerned, it is the Athens College of tomorrow. We must endow Athens College!”
That is our future!
THE COUNT IS ON FOR 200 YEARS!
July 29, 2022: Official Bicentennial Homecoming Celebration
THE COUNT IS ON FOR 200 YEARS!
OUR NEXT CHAPTER BEGINS WITH ATHENS FOREVER,
THE ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN.
As the current caretakers of this historic place, made possible by the dreams of those early few, we are responsible for ensuring that the story continues. With your support, we can honor the University’s vibrant past with an even brighter future, strengthening our commitment to students as we enter our third century as an institution of higher learning. We invite you to become a part of “Athens Forever” and help us build this foundation.
ATHENIAN STORIES
Join us as we celebrate 200 years of turning learners into leaders through the memories and accomplishments of the University’s students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and friends.
