Centre College

Centre College is an accredited, private, four-year liberal arts college located in Danville, Kentucky, USA, a community of about 15,000 located in Boyle County, approximately 35 miles (56.3 km) south of Lexington, KY. Centre was founded by Presbyterian leaders in 1819 and ranks 41st nationally among top liberal arts schools in the 2006 US News & World Report list, and is the highest-ranking private Kentucky institution. The 115-acre campus has 60 buildings, 13 of which are included on the National Register of Historic Places.

History

Early Years

Centre College received its charter from the Kentucky Legislature on January 21, 1819 and classes began in the fall of 1820 in Old Centre, the first building on campus which today is a Kentucky Landmark, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and the oldest college administration building west of the Allegheny Mountains. The Greek Revival structure was built at the cost of $8,000 and has housed a grammar school, a law school, classrooms, a student dormatory, a hospital, a chapel, a dining hall, a library, and administratives offices.

Related Topics:
Kentucky Legislature - January 21 - 1819 - 1820 - Greek Revival

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Centre College faced early financial hardships, disputes within and outside the Presbyterian Church, and six wars (including the occupation of Old Centre by both Confederate and Union troops during the Civil War), but in it's years of growth that followed, Centre became affiliated with various institutions including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, also in Danville, which was originally controlled by the Centre board of trustees. In 1901, Central University in Richmond, Kentucky was consolidated with Centre, and the Kentucky College for Women merged with Centre in 1926.

Related Topics:
Kentucky School for the Deaf - 1901 - Richmond, Kentucky - 1926

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In 1921, Centre upset Harvard University's undefeated football team 6-0 which The New York Times later called "Football's Upset of the Century." ESPN has called it one of the biggest upsets in sport during the twentieth century. Today, "C6H0" remains a point of pride among students and alums and is the answer to "What is the formula for a winning football team?"

Related Topics:
1921 - Harvard University - Football - The New York Times - ESPN

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During the 1960s the college's financial resources doubled. 11 new buildings were added to the campus and enrollment increased from 450 to 800. Today, enrollment hovers around 1,070, with just over 100 faculty members.

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Today

Dr. John A. Roush, who took office in 1998, is the college's 20th president. In 2000, Centre became the smallest college ever to host a national election debate. Dick Cheney and Senator Joe Lieberman debated on October 5 at Centre's Norton Center for the Arts. The event was moderated by CNN's Bernard Shaw.

Related Topics:
Dr. John A. Roush - 1998 - 2000 - National election debate - Dick Cheney - Joe Lieberman - October 5 - Bernard Shaw

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In 2005, the College completed The College Centre, a $22-million project to expand and renovate Suttcliffe Hall, the Crounse Academic Center and Grace Doherty Library, which was the largest construction project on campus since the Norton Center was built in 1973.

Related Topics:
2005 - 1973

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Presidents of the College

• 1820: James McChord
• 1822: Samuel Finley (pro tem)
• 1822: Jeremiah Chamberlain
• 1826: David C. Procter (pro tem)
• 1827: Gideon Blackburn
• 1830: John C. Young
• 1857: Lewis W. Green
• 1863: William L. Breckinridge
• 1868: Ormond Beatty (pro tem)
• 1870: Ormond Beatty
• 1888: William C. Young
• 1896: John C. Fales (pro tem)
• 1898: William C. Roberts
• 1904: Frederick W. Hinitt
• 1914: John W. Redd (pro tem)
• 1915: William A. Ganfield
• 1922: R. Ames Montgomery
• 1926: Charles G. Crooks (pro tem)
• 1927: Charles J. Turck
• 1936: Frank L. Rainey (pro tem)
• 1938: Robert L. McLeod, Jr.
• 1942: James H. Hewlett (pro tem)
• 1944: Robert J. McMullen
• 1946: James H. Hewlett (pro tem)
• 1947: Walter A. Groves
• 1957: William B. Guerrant (pro tem)
• 1957: Thomas A. Spragens
• 1981: Edgar C. Reckard (pro tem)
• 1982: Richard L. Morrill
• 1988: William H. Breeze (pro tem)
• 1988: Michael F. Adams
• 1997: Milton M. Reigelman (pro tem)
• 1998: John A. Roush

Commencement Speakers

• 2005: Barbara Kingsolver
• 2004: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
• 2003: Senator Mitch McConnell and Secretary Elaine Chao
• 1999: Michael F. Adams