About Lambuth University
 

General Information

The Luther L. Gobbel Library.Lambuth University is an independent undergraduate, church-related institution supported by the Memphis Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Since 1843, when it began as the Memphis Conference Female Institute, Lambuth has provided students an opportunity to use their intelligence in the service of God and humanity.
 
Lambuth University is located in Jackson, Tennessee, a city of about 55,000 people, in the heart of West Tennessee. Jackson is easily accessible by highways Tennessee 20, U.S. 45 and 70, and Interstate 40. The city of Jackson is a major commerce center for West Tennessee and has three other institutions of higher learning in addition to Lambuth, a civic center, coliseum, symphony orchestra, excellent medical facilities, AA minor league baseball, performing arts center, parks and shopping centers.
 
Lambuth has a limited enrollment with small classes and unlimited opportunities for students in the areas of academic and social life. All students who enter the University are expected to support its purpose and abide by its regulations; however, students are encouraged to think for themselves, and -- in the context of a world that changes each day -- students have the opportunity to question, to discuss, and to bring their concerns to the faculty and administration of the University. The University recognizes that students' concerns and questions and the University's purpose are the reasons for their being at Lambuth University.
 
Associate Professor of English and Lambuth alum Susan Hudacek.In providing an academic atmosphere for students, any institution must have a faculty who support the purpose of the University and who respond to students. Lambuth University knows that the faculty and students are the most important part of the University's existence. Even though faculty members participate in research and scholarship, their primary responsibilities are teaching and advising.
 

As evidence of its commitment to teaching and learning, the University has a sequence of courses required of all students. These requirements include two courses in religion; competency in certain skills such as writing, speaking, and physical education; knowledge of subject matter such as natural science, mathematics, social science and computer science or computer information systems; two interdisciplinary courses, and comprehensive evaluation at the senior level. In offering such a sequence of courses, the faculty realizes that students need more than a certain number of hours in order to be educated. As the Purpose of the University clearly states, liberal education at Lambuth involves a reaffirmation of the Wesleyan emphasis on academic excellence and faith in a world that needs freedom of inquiry, careful analysis, communication, responsibility, and service to others.


Historical Background

On December 2, 1843, the Memphis Annual Conference of the Methodist Church received a charter from the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee authorizing the establishment of a college for women to be known as the Memphis Conference Female Institute. Almost without interruption this institution served West Tennessee with a widely recognized educational program for women.
 
In November, 1921, the Memphis Annual Conference voted to establish a coeducational institution of higher learning. Accordingly, the M.C.F.I. charter was amended on January 3, 1923, providing for coeducation and changing the name to Lambuth College in honor of the pioneer Methodist missionary bishop, the Reverend Walter R. Lambuth, M.D. The first building, known now as Varnell ~ Jones Hall, was built in 1923-24.
 
Dr. Richard E. Womack was elected president May 12, 1924. When Dr. Womack resigned after twenty-eight years of dedicated service, Dr. Luther L. Gobbel was elected President of Lambuth and assumed his duties October 13, 1952. In June, 1962, Dr. Gobbel retired after ten years of service. On July 1, 1962, Dr. James S. Wilder, Jr. became president. After eighteen years as president, Dr. Wilder became Chancellor of the College and retired from that position in December, 1981. Dr. Harry W. Gilmer became the President of Lambuth College on June 1, 1980, and served until October, 1986. Dr. Thomas F. Boyd became President of the College in July 1987. On July 1, 1991, Lambuth College became Lambuth University. Dr. Boyd served as president until April 29, 1996. In November 1996, W. Ellis Arnold III was elected President and assumed his duties on January 1, 1997. The seventh President of Lambuth, Dr. R. Fred Zuker, was elected on April 16, 2004.
 

The Purpose of Lambuth University  

The steeple of the R. E. Womack Memorial Chapel.As an institution of the United Methodist Church, Lambuth University recognizes the interdependence of education and religion. Lambuth, therefore, reaffirms the Wesleyan emphasis on the necessity for both academic excellence and authentic faith that issue in the highest standards of personal integrity. The University endeavors to provide a congenial atmosphere where persons of all faiths may work together for the fullest development of their total lives.
 
As a university committed to the liberal arts, Lambuth provides resources and encouragement for students to reach an understanding of the cultural heritage of people throughout the world that will broaden their perspectives, enrich their personalities and enable them to think and act wisely amid the complexities of the present age.
 

As an institution of higher learning, the University strives to be an academic community of free inquiry in which men and women may prepare for lives of leadership and service to God and humanity. It is here that students are expected to acquire certain skills and knowledge which will give them an ability to examine life critically, appreciatively and comprehensively; a competence in at least one field of knowledge which will help prepare them for a profession or vocation; and a desire to continue their search for truth and knowledge throughout life.

Scope of Service

 
Lambuth University is an accredited, coeducational four-year institution of liberal arts and sciences supported by the Memphis Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Positively Christian in its philosophy, Lambuth endeavors to maintain an atmosphere in which persons of all faiths may pursue the truth without denominational bias.
 
A Lambuth student prepares for upcoming exams.Lambuth University offers programs of concentration in the traditional areas of the liberal arts in business, and in a range of other career- oriented programs. Students desiring to enter into careers in agriculture, architecture, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, medical technology, engineering, the ministry, religious education, law or other professions may secure the necessary pre-professional training at Lambuth. The University prepares students who desire to enter into the teaching profession to qualify for elementary or high school state teachers' certificates.
 
Lambuth is an independent, nonprofit institution of higher learning. The charges made directly to students represent only a portion of the total cost of instruction. The additional money is provided by the churches of the Memphis Annual Conference through the Sustaining Fund, by direct gifts from interested alumni, friends, foundations, and businesses, and by income from endowment.
 
Discrimination on the basis of religion, race, age, color, national origin, disability, or sex is contrary to the principles to which the University is committed. Lambuth is an equal opportunity educational institution.
 

The Jane Hyde Scott Center for Christian Studies is an arm of Lambuth University designed to provide a vital and visible link with the United Methodist Churches of the Memphis Annual Conference. It utilizes the University's various academic and institutional resources in order to assist the churches of the Annual Conference in meeting their spiritual, missional and program needs.

Current programming for the center includes:
         ~Spiritual renewal for clergy
         ~Travel-study program in England
         ~Seminars and training sessions for clergy and laity
         ~Continuing education for various ministries
         ~Training and skill development for church staff personnel
 

Under the supervision of the Office of Church Relations at Lambuth University and in consultation with the Conference Ministerial Educational Growth Committee and the Conference Council on Ministries, the Center seeks to strengthen relationships with the United Methodist Church, its people, and its ministries. The Center is privately funded through the gifts and donations of individual and corporate donors.

 

Accreditation 

Lambuth University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone number 404-679-4501) to award Bachelor level degrees.
 
The University is approved by the University Senate, the official accrediting agency of The United Methodist Church, and by the Board of Education of the State of Tennessee for the training of elementary and secondary school teachers.
 
Lambuth is also a member of the American Council on Education, Council of Independent Colleges, Council of Protestant Colleges and Universities, National Association of Schools and Colleges of The United Methodist Church, Tennessee College Association, Tennessee Council of Private Colleges, and the Tennessee Independent College Fund.