General Information
History
In August 1884 at the Annual Convention, the Colored Baptists of the State of Arkansas, now the
Arkansas Baptist State Convention, founded the “Minister’s Institute.” Three months later in
November of 1884, the school opened at the Mount Zion Church in Little Rock, AR. The school
was renamed “Arkansas Baptist College” in April 1885.
According to its historical mission, Arkansas Baptist College was founded with the primary goal
of raising the educational level of the Negro ministry, with the secondary goal being to assist the
state of Arkansas in preparing young Negro men and women with a “normal” education. These
goals have since been expanded to provide educational opportunities to all persons seeking an
education without regard to age, sex, race, religion, or national origin.
The Executive Board of the Convention hired Rev. J. P. Lawson, a white Baptist minister from
Joplin, Missouri, to serve as the principal teacher. A block of land was purchased for $5,000 from
Attorney Blake Turner at 16th and High Street within the city limits of Little Rock. It was at this
site that several buildings were erected, and the Arkansas Baptist College campus was created.
The first president was Dr. Joseph A. Booker who served from 1887 until his death in 1926. He
was succeeded by Rev. S.P. Nelson, Rev. R.C. Woods, and Rev. S.R. Tillinghast respectively.
Dr. Tandy W. Coggs, the fifth president of the college, served from 1937 to 1955. It was during
the tenure of Dr. Coggs, in 1947 that the college received its initial two-year accreditation from
the Arkansas State Department of Education. President Coggs was succeeded respectively by Dr.
Oscar Allan Rogers, Dr. Charles E. Johnson, Mr. Howard Johnson and Dr. P.L. Rowe. On
July 1, 1962, Dr. James C. Oliver was elected as the tenth President of Arkansas Baptist College.
During Dr. Oliver’s tenure, more than one million dollars was invested in new construction. A
science building, library (named in his honor), and a business administration building were also
established. Dr. Oliver passed in 1982 before the buildings were completed. Arkansas Baptist
College was placed on the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools list for candidacy status under the leadership of Dr. Oliver. Until the end of
his tenure, he managed the college on cash and a debt-free basis. When health conditions caused
Dr. Oliver to relinquish his active role as president, Dr. R.C. Davis, Title III Coordinator, became
the Interim President for approximately three years.
Dr. W. Thomas Keaton was elected as the eleventh President on July 26, 1985. It was under his
administration that Arkansas Baptist College received full accreditation from the Higher Learning
Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Council
for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Other notable improvements during his
administration include the computerization of the campus library, construction of the Hazel Shanks
Henson Multi-purpose Center, the W.T. Keaton Men’s Residence Hall, and the renovation of the
college gymnasium. Dr. Keaton retired in August, 2001, and Mrs. Mary R. Jarrett, Vice
President for Academic Affairs, was appointed as Interim President until October, 2001.
Dr. Israel R. Dunn, Jr., was elected as the twelfth President of Arkansas Baptist College in
October of 2001. However, he was not inaugurated until February, 2002. Dr. Dunn’s visionary
plan propelled the college into a “mode of change.” He attempted to reorganize and restructure the
campus by implementing a Four-Tier Priority Plan for institutional advancement that included the
following components: 1) Enrollment Management; 2) Internal Controls and Improved
Infrastructure; 3) Student Services; and 4) Facilities Planning. Dr. Dunn resigned in May, 2005.
Mrs. Mary Jarrett was then appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as acting President.
This appointment lasted until February, 2006, after Dr. Fitzgerald Hill was elected as the
thirteenth President in January, 2006.
Dr. Fitzgerald Hill, assumed office as President on February 1, 2006. During Dr. Hill’s first three
years, Arkansas Baptist College student enrollment more than tripled and the number of faculty
and staff doubled. The J. C. Oliver Library underwent a $1 million renovation and expansion in
2012-2014; the facility has been upgraded with electronic databases and resources. Since Dr. Hill
has been in office, the Buffalo Football program was reinstated in 2007 after 50 years in hiatus.
In 2008, Arkansas Baptist College started its first men’s baseball team. The Buffalo Golf team was
also added during the 2009-2010 academic year. Other teams now include track, wrestling and
boxing.
In 2006, the campus consisted of ten buildings in need of major maintenance and renovation.
During President Hill’s tenure, for the first time in the history of the college, Arkansas Baptist
College received the largest private gift from an individual. As a result, the college launched a
$25 million Capital Campaign that includes a community redevelopment component to assist in
neighborhood revitalization. In 2009, the campus expanded to include 13 buildings, with a
welcome center, three city lots, several renovated homes in the surrounding neighborhood, and a
community police center which houses office space for city and state police officers. The campus
currently spans across four city blocks. A strategic facilities plan I has resulted in the renovation
of the existing buildings and construction of new facilities. The campus now features 24 buildings
and a newly paved parking area located west of the Gym.
This facilities plan has included a $5 million restoration of historical Old Main. Since its inception,
the college has received the largest federal grant from the National Parks Service to assist with the
Old Main restoration project. Construction for the new General Studies I classroom building was
completed in 2011-2012, following the construction of the Bistro Dining Hall and Buffalo Barn
(student center). General Studies II, another classroom building was completed in 2012. The new
Community Center, which will house the Scott Ford Center for Entrepreneurship and South
Dormitory residential center were completed in 2014. In addition, Dr. Hill has successfully
assembled a team of committed faculty, staff, and students who endeavor to ensure the continued
growth and success of Arkansas Baptist College as a student-centered, faith-based institution with
a rich history and promising future.