Bethune-Cookman University

Bethune-Cookman University
Name	Bethune-Cookman University
Established	1904
Type	Private historically black university
President	Lawrence M. Drake II
City	Daytona Beach
State	Florida
Country	United States
Campus	Urban, 82 acres
Affiliations	United Methodist Church
Nickname	Wildcats
Website	www.cookman.edu

Bethune-Cookman University is a private, historically black university located in Daytona Beach, Florida. Founded in 1904 by educator and activist Mary McLeod Bethune, the institution has a storied legacy rooted in the advancement of African Americans through higher education. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is a member of the United Negro College Fund. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs within a close-knit campus community.

History

The institution began in 1904 as the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, founded by Mary McLeod Bethune with an initial investment of $1.50. It merged with the coeducational Cookman Institute of Jacksonville in 1923, becoming the Daytona-Cookman Collegiate Institute and later Bethune-Cookman College. A pivotal moment came in 1931 with accreditation by the Association of Colleges and Schools of the Southern States. Under the leadership of Mary McLeod Bethune, who also served as an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the college grew in stature. It achieved university status in 2007 and has been led by presidents including Trudie Kibbe Reed and E. LaBrent Chrite.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges, including the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, and the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics. It offers over 40 undergraduate majors and several graduate programs, such as those in Transformative Leadership and Criminal Justice Administration. Key academic partnerships exist with institutions like the University of Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The university holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and maintains a strong focus on liberal arts and professional studies.

Campus

The main campus spans 82 acres in the heart of Daytona Beach, featuring a mix of historic and modern architecture. Notable buildings include the iconic White Hall, the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center, and the new state-of-the-art L. Gale Lemerand School of Nursing facility. The campus is home to the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation National Historic Landmark, which preserves the founder's legacy. Recent developments include renovations to the Heyn Memorial Chapel and new residential facilities to support a growing student body.

Student life

Student life is centered around a vibrant array of over 70 student organizations, including fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The university boasts a renowned Marching Wildcats band and the Bethune-Cookman University Concert Chorale. Major annual events include Homecoming, which features a famed Battle of the Bands with rivals like Florida A&M University, and Founders' Week celebrations. Campus ministry programs, supported by the United Methodist Church, and leadership opportunities through the Student Government Association are integral to the experience.

Athletics

Athletic teams, known as the Wildcats, compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The university fields teams in sports including football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. The football program has won several Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships and has made appearances in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs and the Celebration Bowl. Notable athletic facilities include Daytona Stadium and the Moore Gymnasium.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved distinction in numerous fields, including politics, entertainment, and sports. In government, notable figures include U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings and former Mayor of Jacksonville Alvin Brown. Entertainment industry alumni encompass actress and singer Raven-Symoné and Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist Gregory Tardy. Sports figures include Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Larry Little and former Major League Baseball player Javier Colina. Other distinguished graduates are educator Johnnetta B. Cole and civil rights attorney James L. Tyson.

Category:Universities and colleges in Florida Category:Historically black universities and colleges in the United States Category:Daytona Beach, Florida Category:Educational institutions established in 1904