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About the Athens State University

Athens State University, regarded as Alabama’s oldest educational institution of higher learning. It began as the Athens Female Academy in 1822. The Methodist Church began oversight of the institution in 1842, changing the name to the Athens Female Institute. It became Athens Female College in 1889. In 1931, it was shortened to Athens College when it became coeducational.

On May 10, 1974, the board of trustees requested from the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church that the college seek affiliation with the State of Alabama. At its annual meeting in June 1974, the conference gave the board this permission and authorized the transfer of the college to the State of Alabama.

In June 1975, the college was accepted by the Alabama State Board of Education subject to the appropriation of operating funds by the Alabama legislature. Later that year, the legislature appropriated funds for the operation of the college to serve the graduates of state junior, community, and technical colleges/institutions. Then later, in 1998, the college became Athens State University.

On May 11, 2012, a bill was passed by the Alabama legislature allowing the creation of an autonomous board of trustees for the university. This board took office in October 2012. Athens State University remains the only upper-division university in the State of Alabama.