Emmanuel University History
At the foundation of the many changes and progress over the years remains the paramount emphasis on Christ-centered values. The lives of Emmanuel alumni speak of the quality of the academic opportunities they have received. Through its program of Christian higher education, Emmanuel University has provided students with academic and spiritual values that will enrich their lives and lead them to enrich the lives of others.
Emmanuel University Timeline
Campus property acquired
Eighty-seven acres in Franklin Springs were purchased for $9000 by six men from the Georgia Conference of the IPHC. The campus consisted of two aging hotels, a skating rink, two pavilions, and several summer cottages – all centered around free-flowing mineral springs.
The Finest Opportunity
Bishop Joseph King, General Superintendent of the IPHC, described the Franklin Springs property as presenting the “Church the finest opportunity between the two great Oceans. Its importance can scarcely be overestimated.”
First Superintendent
Reverend George Floyd Taylor (age 37) becomes the first Superintendent of the Franklin Springs Institute (FSI), later to be renamed Emmanuel College, and thus, he is attributed as the first President of the College.
Franklin Springs Institute Opens
Franklin Springs Institute (later Emmanuel College) opened its doors to 30 students. The school was founded by Reverend George Floyd Taylor who served as president of the institution from 1919-1926 and again from 1929-1931.
Publishing House Created
The first building constructed by the IPHC was dedicated as the Publishing House of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. Later, it was exchanged for the Taylor College Building (also known as the old academic building constructed by Taylor in 1923) and became a part of the College serving first as the Music Building and Post Office, sometimes as a classroom, and in recent years, a Prayer Chapel. Today, it is the Nash Center for Prayer and Spiritual Formation and is named in honor of Reverend Walter J. Nash.
Taylor College Building Constructed
The Taylor College Building on Taylor Street was completed and became the center of campus which was east of the original campus. It was later exchanged for the publishing house building. It was demolished in 1967.
Ty Cobb Tries to Purchase
Ty Cobb, a native of Franklin County, made an offer to purchase the College’s property. His plan was to use the property for a training camp for the Detroit Tigers baseball team. He eventually withdrew the offer, but the church indicated it had no interest in selling.
2nd College President Appointed
Reverend Arthur Taylor (age 30) appointed the 2nd President of the College.
3rd College President Appointed
Reverend Byon Jones (age 31) appointed the 3rd President of the College.
Commitment to Education
The IPHC General Conference appoints the first Board of Education to oversee the College and pledged to make it into a fully accredited junior college.
President Taylor Returns
Reverend George Floyd Taylor appointed president for the second time. Between his two separate terms as president, he returned to the University of North Carolina to continue his education.
Great Depression Closes College
The College closed temporarily during the Great Depression, reopening its doors in 1933 as a high school and junior college.
Emmanuel in Texas?
Because FSI was closed, George Floyd Taylor attempted to open a new school in Texas which he planned to call Emmanuel College. This is the first use of this name, and perhaps, this is where President Aaron got the idea to change the name six years later.
4th President Appointed
Reverend Thomas Lee Aaron (age 37) appointed the 4th president of the College.
Library Grows
The College acquired a 14,000-volume library from two colleges that were merging.
Center of Campus Moves
President Aaron decided to move the center of campus away from Taylor Street to its original and current location on Springs Street when he began construction on the Aaron Building.
Renamed to Emmanuel College
Franklin Springs Institute was renamed Emmanuel College, meaning “God with us.”
Aaron Building Occupied
The Aaron Building, which now houses classrooms and offices, was occupied in the fall of 1940 under President Aaron who called the building the Administration Building. It was later named for President Aaron who launched a new era of growth and improvement of the college with the goal of eventually becoming a four-year, accredited institution.
WWII Halts Growth
Aaron announced the addition of the junior year that fall with plans to add the senior year the following fall. There were nine juniors in 1941, but then WWII drained students and faculty and the attempt to move to senior college status was abandoned.
Junior College Acceptance
The College is admitted to the American Association of Junior Colleges.
UGA Accepts Transfers
A study commission from UGA agreed to accept transfer credit from the College.
College Stays Put
The IPHC General Conference voted to move the College to a larger city and farther west, but the move never happened due to financial constraints.
Introducing The Taylor Building
The Taylor Building, featuring library, chapel and dining hall, was occupied in the fall of 1948. Following World War II, President Aaron purchased ten government surplus buildings in Charleston, SC. He had them disassembled and transported to Franklin Springs where they eventually became the Taylor Building. President Aaron named it in honor of Reverend George Floyd Taylor.
5th President Appointed
Woodard Glenn Drum (age 46) appointed the 5th President of the College.
Jackson Hall Funded
The Layman’s Association was organized and provided fundraising and building expertise to complete Jackson Hall and to build Wellons Hall.
First "Caravan"
The Women’s Ministries of the IPHC leads the first “Caravan,” later named the Feast of Ingathering and now known as Vision 4 Education, to Emmanuel bringing gifts of money and food.
Jackson Hall Renovated
Students moved into the newly renovated Jackson Hall which was built in two stages. Construction began on the east end of the building in the summer of 1928. This phase was finally completed and occupied in 1934. The west end was completed in 1953. The following year the building was named in honor of Mr. Arlon Jackson, a long-time supporter of the College.
Wellons Hall Completed
Construction began on Wellons Hall in 1957 and was completed by the fall term of 1958. The building was named in honor of Charles R. Wellons, President of the Laymen’s Association, who also served on the board of trustees for 28 years.
Athletics Programs Begin
Intercollegiate athletics were introduced at Emmanuel with the College’s first men’s basketball team. Today, Emmanuel is home to 28 collegiate athletic teams and is an active member of NCAA Division II.
Gymtorium Completed
The multi-purpose building serving as gymnasium and auditorium was occupied and name the Gymtorium. It began in 1951 as an open-air tabernacle for the Georgia Conference of the IPHC. Donated to the College in 1962, the structure was enclosed in 1963. In 1973, it was expanded to create additional seating.
SACSCOC Accreditation
With improvements in faculty and curricula, the college was accredited at the junior college level by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
6th President Appointed
Dr. Culbreth Young Melton (age 42) appointed the 6th president of the College.
4-Year SCM Program Begins
The Emmanuel College Board of Trustees approved a four-year School of Christian Ministries (SCM). President Melton appointed Dr. Garnet Pike as the Dean of the SCM. Within two years, the SCM was accredited by the American Association of Bible Colleges.
Drum Hall Completed
Drum Hall was completed and was named in honor of President Emeritus Woodard Drum. This residence hall was built on the west side of the quadrangle and completed the framing of the quad on all four sides.
Shaw-Leslie LRC Completed
The Shaw-Leslie Learning Resources Center, housing the library and archives of the College, was completed debt-free. The building is named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Irby Shaw and Mr. and Mr. W.N. Leslie.
7th President Appointed
Dr. David R. Hopkins (age 41) appointed the 7th President of the College.
Hopkins School of Education Begins
The Hopkins School of Education Building began as a small residence facility. It was later converted to classrooms and offices for the School of Education and named in honor of President Emeritus David R. Hopkins.
The Campus Grows
Several building projects were completed including the Student Activity Building, the baseball and softball fields, and the tennis courts.
Now A 4-Year Institution
Emmanuel College received accreditation as a four-year institution from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Today the college offers more than 30 majors and 19 minors.
Melton Hall Completed
Melton Hall completed as the first King Street residence hall. The building was named in honor of President Emeritus Culbreth Melton.
Hartsfield Hall Completed
Hartsfield Hall completed as the second King Street residence hall. The building was named in honor of Dr. Kirk Hartsfield who served Emmanuel for over 30 years in various positions, concluding his service as Executive Vice President of the College.
Wellons Science Resources Center Dedicated
The Wellons Science Resources Center was dedicated. The building houses science laboratories, classrooms and offices and is named in honor of four brothers from the Wellons family: Russell, William, John, and Calvin.
Swails Center Dedicated
The John W. Swails Center was dedicated. The building features an 1800-seat auditorium, conference room, offices, indoor archery range, and storage. The building was named for Reverend John Swails who taught at the College for more than 30 years.
8th President Appointed
Dr. Michael S. Stewart (age 49) appointed the 8th President of the College.
Roberson Towers Begins
The first three buildings of the Roberson Towers complex were dedicated. Later the final two buildings were added. The complex is named in honor of C.A. and Pearl Roberson.
Shaw Athletic Center Opens
The Shaw Athletic Center was completed. The Center features Williamson Basketball Arena, a volleyball arena, the Roberson Aquatics Center, the Rotondo Bowling Center, and the wellness center. The building is named in honor of Jack and Jane Shaw.
Stephens Soccer and Lacrosse Fields Open
The Stephens Soccer and Lacrosse Fields were completed. The fields are named in honor of Gerald and Jean Stephens.
9th President Appointed
Dr. Ronald G. White (age 64) appointed 9th President of the College after being named interim president a month prior.
Collins Agriculture Center Opens
The Collins Agriculture Center was started and currently includes a greenhouse, hoop house, barn and pasture. Plans call for construction of the primary teaching/laboratory building in spring 2018.
Archery Range Opens
An outdoor archery range was completed.
Released from Debt
The College was released from over $20 million of debt.
NCAA Division II Membership
The College was admitted to full membership in the NCAA Division II and Conference Carolinas.
Graduate Programs & A New Name
On July 10, 2023, Emmanuel College officially became Emmanuel University, marking a new chapter in Emmanuel’s commitment to academic excellence and holistic education. The addition of graduate level programs, which led to the name change, has improved Emmanuel’s capacity to fulfill our mission. Traditional undergraduate and online programs were also expanded.
On a mission since 1919
Emmanuel University first opened on January 1, 1919, under the name of Franklin Springs Institute. The founder of the school was the Reverend George Floyd Taylor, a North Carolinian who had long desired to begin such an institution. For over a century the campus had been used as a health resort centered around several mineral springs. G. F. Taylor was president from 1919-1926 and again from 1929-1931. During 1926-1929, two men served briefly as president, first, Reverend A. M. Taylor and then Reverend B. A. Jones. Because of the Great Depression, the school closed temporarily in 1931.
In 1933 the school was reopened as a high school and junior college, with the Reverend Thomas Lee Aaron as president. Under President Aaron’s leadership, the school gradually progressed from a small community school to a modern, influential junior college. In 1939, the name of the institution was changed to Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” Upon Reverend Aaron’s death in January 1951, Mr. Woodard Glenn Drum, former dean of the college, became president.
The administration of President Drum saw the completion of the present campus quadrangle, the recruitment of an excellent faculty, and the achievement of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in 1967. The high school department, which had earlier been accredited by the Southern Association, was discontinued in 1963. With the retirement of President Drum in January 1970, Dr. Culbreth Young Melton became the sixth president of the institution.
Under Dr. Melton’s administration a four-year School of Christian Ministries was established and accredited by the American Association of Bible Colleges. A new Learning Resources Center was constructed, and the overall quality of the institution was improved. Upon Dr. Melton’s retirement, Dr. David Roger Hopkins became the seventh president in June 1983.
Many campus improvements are credited to Dr. Hopkins’ leadership, including construction of two new residence halls and the Wellons Science Resources Center, as well as the acquisition and renovation of John W. Swails Convocation Center. Major changes in curricular offerings also accompanied accreditation as a four-year institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Upon Dr. Hopkins’ retirement in 2005, the Rev. Michael S. Stewart was inaugurated as the eighth president of Emmanuel College. During his administration, significant efforts were made to enhance the campus by expanding academic and athletic programs and by improving the quality of campus life through new residence halls and athletic facilities.
In October 2014, Dr. Ronald G. White became the ninth president of Emmanuel College after being named interim president only a month before. A 1969 graduate of Emmanuel, President White previously worked at the college in several roles from 1980 to 2002 including Director of Financial Aid, Dean of Students and Dean of Enrollment Management.
On July 10, 2023, Emmanuel College officially became Emmanuel University, marking a new chapter in Emmanuel’s commitment to academic excellence and holistic education. The addition of graduate level programs, which led to the name change, has improved Emmanuel’s capacity to fulfill our mission. Traditional undergraduate and online programs were also expanded.
At the foundation of the many changes and progress over the years remains the paramount emphasis on Christ-centered values. The lives of EU alumni speak of the quality of the academic opportunities they have received. Through its program of Christian higher education, Emmanuel University has provided students with academic and spiritual values that will enrich their lives and lead them to enrich the lives of others.
