, established = , type =

Private university Private universities and private colleges are institutions of higher education, not operated, owned, or institutionally funded by governments. They may (and often do) receive from governments tax breaks, public student loans, and grant (money ...

, endowment = $21.3 million (2019) , staff = , faculty = 270 , president = Tiffany M. Franks , principal = , rector = , chancellor = , vice_chancellor = , dean = , head_label = , head = , students = 1879 , undergrad = 870 , postgrad = 1000 , doctoral = , city = Danville , state =

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

, country = United States , campus =

Suburb A suburb (more broadly suburban area) is an area within a metropolitan area, which may include commercial and mixed-use, that is primarily a residential area. A suburb can exist either as part of a larger city/urban area or as a separ ...

an , free_label = , free = , sporting_affiliations =

NCAA Division III NCAA Division III (D-III) is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States. D-III consists of athletic programs at colleges and universities that choose not to offer athletic scholarships to their ...

– USA South , colors = Blue and Gold , colours = , mascot = Cougar , other_name = AU , affiliations = , website = Averett University is a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...

Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only ( believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul c ...

university in

Danville, Virginia Danville is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States, located in the Southside Virginia region and on the fall line of the Dan River. It was a center of tobacco production and was an area of Confederate activit ...

. Founded in 1859 as a women's college, Averett became a 4-year, coeducational institution in 1969. In 2011, the university restored its Baptist affiliation, renewing a relationship that had existed from Averett's founding until 2005.

History

The school was chartered in 1859 as Union Female College and became affiliated with the

Baptist General Association of Virginia The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV), founded in 1823, is an umbrella organization of Baptist churches in Virginia. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist World Alliance. History Baptists have been in ...

in 1910. The school's name was changed to Averett College and received accreditation as a

junior college A junior college (sometimes referred to colloquially as a juco, JuCo or JC) is a post-secondary educational institution offering vocational training designed to prepare students for either skilled trades and technical occupations and workers in ...

in 1917. Accreditation by the

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is an educational accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This agency accredits over 13,000 public and priv ...

followed in 1928. Averett became a coeducational four-year college in 1969 and offered its first

graduate programs Postgraduate or graduate education refers to academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree. The organization and struc ...

in the 1980s. The school changed its name to Averett University in 2001. In 2005, the Baptist General Association of Virginia dissolved their ties with Averett after the university abandoned Baptist positions on

homosexuality Homosexuality is Romance (love), romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or Human sexual activity, sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romant ...

. In November 2011, the Baptist General Association of Virginia voted to restore the association's relationship with Averett University.

Admissions

In 2011, 54% of applicants were admitted. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Academics

Averett offers associate and

bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to si ...

programs in approximately 30 majors. There are also two

master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

programs available: Master of Education degree and a

Master of Business Administration A Master of Business Administration (MBA; also Master's in Business Administration) is a postgraduate degree focused on business administration. The core courses in an MBA program cover various areas of business administration such as accounti ...

degree. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1.

Campus

Averett's main campus is a campus on West Main Street in Danville. The North Campus Athletic Center and Averett Flight Center at

Danville Regional Airport Danville Regional Airport is three miles east of Danville, in southern Virginia. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021 categorized it as a regional general aviation facility. The ...

are also in Danville. The Equestrian Center in

Pelham, NC Pelham is an unincorporated community in northwestern Caswell County, North Carolina, United States at the North Carolina/Virginia border. It is often considered a suburb of nearby Danville, Virginia. Pelham is located along Pelham Loop Road near ...

lies just across the Virginia-North Carolina border. Averett's adult education program, Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS), has campus centers in Danville,

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, Californi ...

and Tidewater. GPS classes are offered at 12 locations around Virginia.

Student life

Averett Student Foundation

Averett Student Foundation members represent the university at special functions such as plays, receptions and donor recognition events.

''The Chanticleer''

Averett's student-run news magazine, ''

The Chanticleer ''The Chanticleer'' is Averett University's student-run news magazine. Since 1922, ''The Chanticleer'' has provided community news to the students, faculty and staff of Averett. CNM has also be used to refer to the magazine as "''Chanticleer New ...

'', was established in 1922.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) is Averett's student governing body.

Athletics

Averett competes in 26 intercollegiate varsity sports, and its athletic teams are called the Cougars. The university is a member of the Division III of the

National Collegiate Athletic Association The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges ...

(NCAA), primarily competing in the

Old Dominion Athletic Conference The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) is an NCAA Division III athletic conference. Of its 15 member schools, all but one are located in Virginia; the other full member is in North Carolina. The conference also has an associate member in N ...

(ODAC) since the 2022–23 academic year. The Cougars previously competed in the

USA South Athletic Conference The USA South Athletic Conference (formerly the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference or the Dixie Conference) is an athletic conference which competes in the NCAA's Division III. Member schools are located in North Carolina and Virginia ...

(USA South) from 1978–79 to 2021–22.

Facilities

Matches are played at "Cougars Den", in Danville, which has a maximum seating capacity of 1,500.Cougar Den
Averett University, 2008. Accessed 2009-01-01 Redevelopment of the facility began in 2014 with new turf and lights for the existing stadium, and the field being renamed "Daly Field". Further development of the stadium complex followed, with it being named "Frank R. Campbell Stadium".

References

External links

Official website

Official athletics website
{{authority control Private universities and colleges in Virginia Educational institutions established in 1859 Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Education in Danville, Virginia Buildings and structures in Danville, Virginia Tourist attractions in Danville, Virginia 1859 establishments in Virginia