THE MERCERIANA Publication for Alumni and Friends of Mercer University Winter • Volume 14, Number 1 Mercer’s Legacy Expands Worldwide By Wes Griffith, Sonal Patel, Jenny Butkus life-sized bronze of Jesse Mercer sits on a bench on the quad of the Legal Writing Institute (LWI), the recreation rooms and an arena that world’s largest organization devoted to seats up to 3,500 for athletic events Macon campus, where students, faculty, staff and alumni seldom improving legal writing. The Institute’s and 4,500 for special events. pass by without giving a slight nod of acknowledgement — some membership includes lawyers and Mercer’s advances aren’t going legal writing teachers from across the unnoticed. The University’s reputation out of respect, most out of affection. When he founded Mercer United States and from Europe, Asia, as a premier university is no longer Institute in 1833, Jesse Mercer did so with a deep-rooted commitment to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. known only in the Southeast, but also A “No other school could match across the nation. For the 14th education and “intellectual preparation” and 39 students. Mercer’s clear commitment to Legal consecutive year, U.S. News & World Writing, as reflected both Report ranked Mercer among the Mercer University has continued to in the strength of the leading institutions in the South, advance the vision of its founder by program you offer your and for the 10th year, Barron’s attracting some of the most talented students and your facul- named Mercer as a “Best Buy.” In college freshmen in the country, ty’s extensive contribu- addition, the popular college guide, adding new programs that build on its tions to the national Peterson’s, has listed Mercer in its already solid academic foundation, Legal Writing communi- Competitive Colleges Guide for the and building state-of-the-art facilities ty,” wrote LWI President past two years. that provide the optimum learning Steven J. Johnson. This year the University garnered environment for its students. two new prestigious rankings. The The freshman class of 2003 has the Higher Education Research Institute highest average SAT score of any at UCLA recognized Mercer as a Mercer class to date with an average “highly selective” university. And, in of 1210. The 620 students that make July, The Princeton Review included up this year’s freshman class also Mercer in its popular publication, the have a record-high grade-point-aver- Best 351 Colleges in North America. age of 3.6. With 3,500 four-year colleges in the “Our freshman SAT average has United States, that puts Mercer among increased 98 points since fall 2000,” the top 10 percent. said Allen London, vice president of After processing factual University Admissions. “These students In August, the University opened information and polling students ‘The freshman class of 2003 has the come from strong high school aca- the doors to its newest regional aca- online for a year, The Princeton demic programs and have taken many highest average SAT score of any Mercer demic center, a 30,000-square-foot Review assessed Mercer in 10 advanced placement and honors class to date with an average of 1210. facility in Henry County. The Center, categories: academics, administration, courses. They are students we want to _____ which is designed demographics, have at Mercer.” More than 90 students in the fall freshman to accommodate parties, school type, Mercer’s Health Sciences Center, class are members of the University’s Chip Off an enrollment of politics, quality of which includes the Southern School of 1,000 students, life, extracurriculars, Pharmacy, School of Medicine and the Old Block program.’ allowed the selectivity, and Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, University to social. The survey began the fall with three strong new consolidate the resulted in The classes as well. Bartling. “With so much competition Georgia’s medically underserved com- students from its Princeton Review The School of Pharmacy received a for acceptance to the School, we were munities, enrollment in the doctor of two smaller writing, “If you’re record 1,347 applicants for its 130 able to be highly selective and have medicine program was increased by centers in Griffin looking for a small openings. Dr. Jim Bartling, associate brought in the most academically four students. and Covington. It will ‘Mercer increased school with ‘tough’ dean of Student Affairs and qualified class we’ve ever had.” The College of Nursing has also provide many opportuni- academics that is equally Admissions, anticipates another excel- Sixty students began their medical reached its highest enrollment num- ties for individuals in the its international devoted to scholastic lent new class. education with Mercer this year. In bers since the beginning of its bac- area to continue their recognition when development and spiritual “Our applicant pool is the largest line with the School of Medicine’s calaureate program, with a growing education with evening the Walter F. growth, then read on.” in the nation with roughly 10 students mission to create healthcare profes- waiting list of well-qualified applicants. classes scheduled around With praises like that, George School of applying for each position,” said sionals that meet the needs of In addition, the University is their workdays. The it’s no wonder why some of expanding its academic programming University also continues Law became home the brightest young people to meet the needs of today’s students. to hold classes at to the Legal in the country are choosing In the Tift College of Education, an regional academic Writing Institute, to call Mercer home. innovative new graduate program, The centers in Douglas But perhaps the biggest Holistic Educator, premiered on the County and Eastman. the worlds’ largest honor bestowed on the Macon campus as well as the Eastman On Mercer’s Macon organization University this year is the Regional Academic Center during fall campus, University spirit devoted to number of Mercer semester. The new master’s degree is escalating as the graduates and students improving legal offers professionals the opportunity much-anticipated whose relatives are coming to enhance their teaching methods University Center is writing.’ to Mercer. More than 90 and prepares graduates to better nearing completion. This students in the fall communicate with today’s diverse 230,000-square-foot will be completed freshman class are members of the student population. spring semester. The impressive struc- University’s Chip Off the Old Block Mercer increased its international ture will become the hub of student program, meaning they have a family recognition when the Walter F. George activity with amenities including a member who attended or currently School of Law became home to the food court, coffee shop, fitness and attends Mercer. THE MERCERIAN CAMPUS TALK Winter 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 1 President and CEO R. Kirby Godsey university Executive Vice President Horace W. Fleming Senior Vice President for University Advancement and University Admissions Emily P.Myers Senior Vice President Swindle Named Atlanta Senior V.P. Thomas G. Estes, Jr. Senior Vice President for Finance Lynwood G. Donald r. Richard V. Swindle, who Southern School of Pharmacy, Georgia 40 percent increase in enrollment over With a bachelor’s degree from Sam- Senior Vice President for Administration Maj. Gen. Richard N. Goddard spent 17 years of his Baptist College of Nursing and McAfee a 10-year period. ford University, Swindle earned the mas- Senior Vice President – Atlanta administrative career at School of Theology, and programs of He became associate provost in ter of education degree at the University Richard V. Swindle D Mercer, returned to the University on Tift College of Education, Stetson 1987, and was responsible for all of Montevallo and a Ph.D. at Emory Provost Peggy DuBose June 1 to serve as senior vice president School of Business and Economics, the administrative services on the Atlanta University. He was an officer in the U.S. Editor — Atlanta. Before his appointment, School of Engineering, and the College campus. Two years later, he was Marine Corps Reserve from 1969-78, Judith T. Lunsford Swindle was serving as senior vice of Continuing and Professional Studies. named special assistant to the presi- attaining the rank of captain. Managing Editor Richard L. Cameron president for Institutional Swindle also has an active role in dent, serving as the chief administra- He and his wife, Dorothy, have two Designer Advancement for Franklin College in expanding Mercer’s involvement in the tor for the Atlanta campus. In 1990, he daughters, Susan and Anna. Rachel H. Garza Franklin, Ind., where he was responsi- Atlanta community and increasing the joined the University Advancement Writers Jenny Butkus, Elizabeth Flader, ble for development, public affairs, cor- University’s presence and visibility staff as assistant vice president for Wes Griffith, Sonal Patel porate and foundation rela- through relationship development and later served two Photographers Tiffany Brown, Billy Howard, Rod Reilly, tions, alumni services and building with Atlanta’s years as associate vice president for Leah Yetter ‘Dr. Swindle ... is church relations. corporate and communi- University Relations, Alumni Dean, College of Liberal Arts Richard C. Fallis Prior to joining an outstanding ty leaders. Services and Development. From Dean, School of Engineering Franklin College in 1996, While at Franklin 1992 to 1994, he was a member of M. Dayne Aldridge leader and he was at Mercer, serving College, Swindle planned the University’s self-study team for Dean, Eugene W. Stetson School administrator, of Business and Economics his last three years as senior and directed the Southern Association of W. Carl Joiner who has a talent Dean, Tift College of Education associate vice president for successful completion of Colleges and Carl R.