Mercer University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Mercer University, a private research university in Macon, Georgia, boasts a rich history and a commitment to sciences, arts, and religion, as reflected in its Latin motto, "Scientiis, Artibus, Religioni." Established in 1833, Mercer has evolved from its origins as the Mercer Institute to become a multi-campus institution with a wide range of academic programs. With campuses in Macon, Atlanta, Savannah, and Columbus, as well as regional academic centers, Mercer offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional education across eleven diverse fields of study. These fields include liberal arts, business, education, music, engineering, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law, theology, and continuing and professional studies.

A Historical Overview of Mercer University

Founded on January 14, 1833, Mercer University has a long and storied past. Initially known as the Mercer Institute, the institution underwent several transformations, including the Southern School of Pharmacy (1903-1959) and Atlanta Baptist College (1964-1972). In 1959, Mercer expanded to Atlanta by absorbing the independent Southern School of Pharmacy. Atlanta Baptist College merged with Mercer in 1972, becoming the College of Arts and Sciences, later named the Cecil B. Day College of Arts and Sciences in 1984.

Between 1982 and 2013, Mercer established nine additional colleges and schools, including the School of Medicine (1982), the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business and Economics (1984), and the School of Engineering (1985). The James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology (1994), the Tift College of Education (1995), the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing (2001), the College of Continuing and Professional Studies (2003), the Townsend School of Music (2006), and the College of Health Professions (2013) further expanded Mercer's academic offerings.

In 2006, the Georgia Baptist Convention ended its 173-year affiliation with Mercer. The university is currently affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Key Milestones in Mercer's Development

Mercer University has achieved several significant milestones throughout its history:

Read also: Future Leaders Program

Desegregation: Mercer was the first college or university in Georgia to fully desegregate, allowing Sam Oni, a student from Ghana, to become the first Black student to attend Mercer University in 1963.
Strategic Growth: Mercer's 2008 strategic plan led to its reclassification as a national research university.
Expanded Academic Programs: The university has launched second and third medical school campuses (in Savannah and Columbus), started a master's-level physician assistant program and a doctoral-level program in physical therapy, and added doctoral programs in clinical psychology, nursing, counseling, educational leadership, and curriculum and instruction.
Increased Research Emphasis: Reflecting an increased emphasis on research, Mercer meets criteria established by the Carnegie Foundation for classification as a research-doctoral university.

Mercer's Campuses and Facilities

Mercer University has four major campuses:

Macon Campus: The historic (main) campus in Macon houses the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business, the Tift College of Education, the Townsend School of Music, the School of Engineering, the School of Medicine, and programs of the College of Professional Advancement.
Atlanta Campus: The graduate and professional campus in Atlanta hosts the College of Professional Advancement, the James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology, the College of Pharmacy, the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, and programs of the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business, the Tift College of Education, and the School of Medicine.
Savannah Campus: A four-year campus of the School of Medicine is located in Savannah at Memorial University Medical Center, Mercer's teaching hospital in Savannah.
Columbus Campus: A four-year campus of the School of Medicine is located in Columbus, partnering with two regional hospitals, The Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital.

Mercer also has regional academic centers in Henry County and Douglas County, a university press, and a performing arts center, the Grand Opera House, in Macon.

Notable Alumni of Mercer University

Mercer University has produced numerous notable alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, including law, politics, business, journalism, and athletics. These alumni reflect the university's commitment to fostering leaders and innovators who shape society.

Law and Politics

Griffin Bell: Served as the 72nd Attorney General of the United States under President Jimmy Carter.
Michael P. Boggs: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia.
Allen D. Candler: A U.S. Representative and the 56th Governor of Georgia.
G. Harrold Carswell: Served as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Nathan Deal: Served as the 82nd governor of Georgia from 2011 to 2019.
Walter F. George: A United States Senator from Georgia from 1922 to 1957 and President pro tempore of the United States Senate from 1955 to 1957.
Thomas W. Hardwick: Served as a United States Representative, a United States Senator, and the Governor of Georgia.
Richard B. Hubbard: The 16th governor of Texas and United States Envoy to Japan.
William D. Jelks: Served as the 32nd Governor of Alabama.
Beverly B. Martin: A former United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Michael J. Moore: A former Georgia state senator and United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
John Oxendine: Former Insurance Commissioner for the state of Georgia.
John Peyton: Served as Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida.
Robert Reichert: Former mayor of Macon, Georgia.
Scott Rigell: Former U.S. Representative for Virginia's 2nd congressional district.
Chauncey Sparks: Served as the 41st Governor of Alabama.
Meldrim Thomson, Jr.: Served as the 73rd governor of New Hampshire.
Thomas E. Watson: An American politician, attorney, newspaper editor, and writer from Georgia.
Blanton C. Winship: Served as Judge Advocate General of the United States Army and as the governor of Puerto Rico.
John Stephens Wood: Served as a Democrat in the United States House of Representatives.

Journalism and Media

Nancy Grace: An American legal commentator and television journalist, who hosted Nancy Grace on HLN.
Erick Erickson: A conservative talk radio host, blogger, and former political contributor for CNN and Fox News Channel.

Business and Innovation

Ed Roberts: Invented the first commercially successful personal computer in 1974.
Godwin Maduka: Founder of Las Vegas Pain Institute and Medical Center.
Alan Walden: An American manager, publisher, booking agent, and promoter.

Athletics

Cory Gearrin: Former professional baseball pitcher.
Langston Hall: Professional basketball player for Karditsa of the Greek Basketball League (GBL).
James Florence: Professional basketball player for Sigortam.net İTÜ BB of the Basketball Super League.
Sam Mitchell: Former professional basketball player and coach, winning Coach of the Year Award in 2007.
Joe Pettini: Former Major League Baseball player and the former bench coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros.
Vicente Arze: Bolivian footballer.

Military Service

Benjamin S. Griffin: A four-star general in the United States Army, serving as the Commanding General, United States Army Materiel Command.
Perry L. Wiggins: A retired United States Army lieutenant general who served as commanding general, United States Army North.

Arts and Entertainment

Betty Cantrell: An American singer, actress, model, author, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss America 2016.

Academia

Cathy Cox: President of Georgia College & State University and former Secretary of State of Georgia.

Alumni Associations

Every Mercer graduate is automatically a member of the Mercer University Alumni Association. The Alumni Association seeks to engage alumni through relevant programming, enhanced connections, and effective communications. The Association strives to create unique opportunities for Bears, build a culture of philanthropy, preserve traditions that make Mercer special, and forge lifelong connections.

Read also: Roles of the Mercer Board

Read also: Funding Your Education at Mercer

tags: #mercer #university #notable #alumni