There are many places that celebrate Georgia history and places to go sightseeing in Georgia, specifically in Newton County. An activity many individuals don’t think about doing is visiting the great college campus located here. Oxford College of Emory University has a vast Georgia history, with it being established in 1836.
It’s important for citizens and visitors of Newton County to know the importance of this College’s history. Knowing the history of the very place that many people, young and old alike, are getting an education is a vital part of being an engaged and informed when living or visiting here. This is especially crucial when that college is rooted in Georgia history.
Originally known as Emory College, this establishment was named after John Emory, an influential member of the Methodist community. In the beginning, there were 4 employees, including president Ignatius Alphonso Few, and 15 students. In anticipation of the Civil war, the doors of Emory College briefly closed 1861. However, buildings were still used as infirmaries for wounded soldiers and even military headquarters. It wasn’t until the year 1866 that the school could re-open to the eager freshmen and sophomores that lived this part of Georgia history. Still, the college suffered damage from the Civil War.
Their luck turned around when in 1880, George I. Seney sat in on a sermon by then-President Atticus G. Haygood and ended up donating over a quarter of a million dollars to the establishment. In 1915, the name was changed to Emory University Academy, and was changed again in the mid-1930’s to Emory Junior College at Oxford, where it remains a small 2-year liberal arts college. There are many individuals who contribute to this Georgia history: Robert W. Woodruff, who attended the college before becoming the president of Coca-Cola. This man was vital in the history of Emory, donating over $230 million total to the college. Other notable students of this great institution grew to be a vice-president, senators, congressmen, Pulitzer Prize winners, and singers. Currently, Emory College hosts almost 1,000 undergraduate students. This beautiful campus is a great place to visit and learn about the vast history that has accumulated in over 150 years. The next time you or your family wants to learn about Georgia history or wants more things to do in Georgia, consider this campus which is right around the corner!
