Agnes Scott College
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Agnes Scott College is a women's liberal arts college in Decatur, Georgia, near Atlanta. As of 2004, the college enrolls around 1,000 students. Agnes Scott is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The school awards bachelor of arts degrees in 30 majors and has one master's degree program in teaching secondary English.
The college was founded in 1889 as Decatur Female Seminary by Presbyterian minister Frank H. Gaines. In 1890, the name was changed to Agnes Scott Institute to honor the mother of the college's primary benefactor, Col. George Washington Scott. The name was changed again to Agnes Scott College in 1906. Agnes Scott Hall, the oldest building on campus, was built in 1891 and once housed the entire school.
Students at Agnes Scott are known as "Scotties." As a campus tradition, the alumnae association prepares care packages available for parents to purchase for students during finals week. The school colors of Agnes Scott are purple and white while the mascot is the Scottie Dog. As of 2004, Agnes Scott was rated as the top women's school in the South and number 7 in the country out of roughly 200 women's schools nationwide. It was also called the best liberal arts college in Georgia. The 2004 edition of US News and World Report's rankings for best liberal arts colleges placed Agnes Scott as tied for number 50 in the country, and that year promotional information and school merchandise advertised the college's place among the "top 50." However, as of 2005, the school's ranking has dropped slightly to number 53 in the country.
Agnes Scott is known for its large endowment. A high percentage of students receive academic scholarships to this selective private institution.
New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, herself a graduate of Wellesley College, a women's college, delivered Agnes Scott's May 2005 commencement address.
Notable alumnae
- Katherine Harris, U.S. Representative
- Rachelle Henderlite, the first woman to be ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA)
- Marsha Norman, playwright
- Jean H. Toal, Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court
External links
- Agnes Scott College (http://www.agnesscott.edu/)
- Press release announcing Clinton's commencement address (http://www.agnesscott.edu/about/p_onlinenewsroom.asp)
- US News and World Report 2005 rankings (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/libartco/tier1/t1libartco_brief.php)