History of Abilene Christian University in Timeline
Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a private Christian university located in Abilene, Texas. Established in 1906 as Childers Classical Institute, ACU has a historical affiliation with Churches of Christ.
1906: Childers Classical Institute Founded
In 1906, Abilene Christian University was founded as Childers Classical Institute, a private Christian university in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ.
1906: Childers Classical Institute Opens
Opening its doors to 25 students in the fall of 1906, Childers Classical Institute began as a Christian university serving West Texas, with a lower school starting in the seventh grade.
1912: The Optimist Newspaper Founded
1912 saw the launch of "The Optimist," the student-run newspaper that continues to serve the Abilene Christian University community.
1912: Jesse P. Sewell Becomes President, Name Change Begins
Under the leadership of new president Jesse P. Sewell starting in 1912, the institution began using "Abilene Christian College" on printed materials, though the formal name change wouldn't happen until 1920.
1916: The Prickly Pear Yearbook Founded
In 1916, "The Prickly Pear" was established, marking the beginning of the school's yearbook tradition.
1920: Formal Name Change to Abilene Christian College
In 1920, after years of using the name informally, the institution officially changed its name from Childers Classical Institute to Abilene Christian College.
1933: Campus Literary-Arts Magazine Founded
The university's dedication to the arts was further solidified in 1933 with the launch of its literary-arts magazine, known today as "The Shinnery Review."
1951: Abilene Christian College Receives Accreditation
A significant milestone was reached in 1951 when Abilene Christian College achieved accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
1962: Billy Curl Becomes First Black Student
Ending a period of segregation, Abilene Christian University enrolled its first black student, Billy Curl, in 1962.
1971: Amberton University Founded as ACU Extension
In 1971, Abilene Christian University expanded its reach with the creation of an extension campus in Mesquite, Texas, which would later become Amberton University.
1973: ACU Joins Lone Star Conference (Division II)
After being a charter member of the Division I Southland Conference, Abilene Christian transitioned to the Lone Star Conference (LSC) of Division II in the NCAA in 1973.
1974: Amberton University Relocates to Garland
Just three years after its founding, the extension campus that would become Amberton University relocated to Garland, Texas, in 1974.
February 22, 1976: Abilene Christian College Becomes Abilene Christian University
On February 22, 1976, Abilene Christian College officially transitioned to university status, becoming Abilene Christian University.
1982: Amber University Becomes Separate Institution
While remaining affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Amber University officially became independent from Abilene Christian University in 1982.
1983: ACU Press Founded
Expanding its influence beyond the campus, Abilene Christian University established ACU Press in 1983, which has become a respected member of the Association of American University Presses.
1986: KACU NPR Station Established
Broadening its communication outreach, the school launched KACU, an NPR station, in 1986, addressing initial community concerns about potential proselytizing.
2001: Amber University Renamed to Amberton University
The institution formerly known as Amber University underwent a name change in 2001, becoming Amberton University.
2005: ACU Celebrates Centennial
Abilene Christian University celebrated a century of academic pursuit and achievement during the 2005–06 school year, marking its centennial anniversary.
2007: ACU Athletes Recognized in LSC 75th Anniversary Team
The Lone Star Conference recognized Abilene Christian's athletic legacy in 2007 by including 33 current and former ACU athletes in its 75th-anniversary all-sports team.
October 18, 2008: A Prairie Home Companion Live Broadcast
On October 18, 2008, Abilene Christian University's Moody Coliseum hosted a live broadcast of the popular Minnesota Public Radio show, "A Prairie Home Companion."
2009: ACU Ranks High in NCAA Team National Championships
As of 2009, Abilene Christian University held an impressive fourth-place ranking in NCAA history for team national championships, tied with Kenyon College and trailing only UCLA, Stanford, and USC.
August 25, 2012: ACU Accepts Invitation to Rejoin Southland Conference
On August 25, 2012, Abilene Christian's board of trustees made the decision to accept an invitation to rejoin the Southland Conference, effective from the 2013-14 academic year.
2013: ACU Rejoins Southland Conference
Marking a return to its former conference, Abilene Christian University officially rejoined the Southland Conference in 2013, competing in Division I FCS football.
July 2015: ACU Dallas Expansion Campus Launched
July 2015 marked the opening of ACU Dallas, an expansion campus in Addison, Texas, offering new graduate programs including an MBA and Ed.D. in organizational leadership.
2016: Voice LGBT Student Association Recognized
In a step towards inclusivity, Abilene Christian University officially recognized Voice, an LGBT student association, in 2016.
August 23, 2017: ACU Achieves Full Division I Status
A significant accomplishment was achieved on August 23, 2017, when the NCAA Board of Directors granted Abilene Christian University full Division I status, allowing for postseason play eligibility.
2021: ACU Joins Western Athletic Conference
In 2021, Abilene Christian University made another conference move, joining the Western Athletic Conference, demonstrating its evolving presence in the collegiate landscape.
August 2022: ACU Applies for Molten Salt Reactor License
In August 2022, ACU submitted an application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a construction license to build a molten salt research reactor, aiming for operational status by December 2025.
2022: ACU Football Joins United Athletic Conference
Following the 2022 football season, Abilene Christian University's football program became part of the newly established United Athletic Conference, a result of a merger between the football leagues of the WAC and the ASUN Conference.
2022: ACU Restructures Academic Structure
In 2022, Abilene Christian University underwent a significant academic restructuring, creating three new colleges with the aim of strengthening its national university identity.
December 2025: Target Date for Molten Salt Reactor Criticality
Abilene Christian University has set a target date of December 2025 to achieve criticality for its planned molten salt research reactor, pending license approval.