Mercer University Douglas Campus

Specialties

Mercer University is a private, coeducational university with its main campus in Macon, Georgia, plus campuses in Atlanta and Savannah and academic centers in Eastman, Lithia Springs, McDonough and Newnan.

History

Established in 1997.

Mercer University was founded in 1833 in Penfield by Georgia Baptists. The school, under the leadership of Baptist minister and spiritual father Adiel Sherwood, was named for Jesse Mercer, a prominent Baptist leader and the first chair of the Mercer Board of Trustees.

Initially a boys’ preparatory school named «Mercer Institute,» the school at its founding consisted of a red clay farm and two hewed log cabins. Enrollment for the first term was 39 students although, when the school opened, there were considerably fewer and others came over the first few weeks. Tuition was $ 35 for the year. Board was provided at $ 8 per month, and each student was required to supply his own bedding, candles and furniture.

From its humble beginnings in Penfield, Mercer today is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education.