Athens State University history

Ownership of the school was transferred in 1842 to the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Church.

With the birth of the North Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church in 1870, the Institution came under the jurisdiction of that body.

In 1872, the Alabama legislature formally recognized our name as the Athens Female Institute.

Following this transfer to the newly formed conference, the name was again changed to Athens Female College in 1889.

In 1915, the Alabama legislature once more amended the school’s name to be Athens College for Young Women.

Moore remained president until 1916 when she resigned and married James Henry McCoy, the Methodist bishop of Alabama.

During Doctor Glasgow’s tenure, a new gymnasium including a swimming pool was completed in 1918, and construction of a three-story brick dormitory, now known as Sanders Hall, was begun.

In 1929, the Alabama legislature approved a name change to Athens College.

Eugene R. Naylor arrived on campus during the summer of 1930 to begin his nineteen-year presidency, the longest in our history.

Following changes in social mores and community needs, Athens Female College was transformed into a co-educational institution of higher learning in 1931 and became known merely as Athens College.

After Doctor Naylor’s resignation in 1949, succeeding presidents built on the foundation that was established in the early 20th century with varying levels of success.

Doctor Sidney E. Sandridge became president in 1970 when deteriorating finances created a crisis.

On May 10, 1974, the board of trustees requested from the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church that the college seek affiliation with the State of Alabama.

In June 1975, the college was accepted by the Alabama State Board of Education subject to the appropriation of operating funds by the Alabama legislature.

Sandridge was succeeded in 1981 by Doctor James R. Chasteen, who was already serving as president of Calhoun Community College.

Doctor Chasteen presided over both schools until his retirement in 1990.

In 1998, a bill was passed in the Alabama legislature to change the name to Athens State University.