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Lyon College

 Lyon College is a selective undergraduate liberal arts college located in the foothills of the scenic Ozarks. Founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest colleges in Arkansas.

Valued for its small class size, strong student-faculty interactions, and collegial atmosphere, Lyon has forged a singular identity by combining a deep commitment to outstanding liberal arts with a rich community setting.

Undergraduates at Lyon can pursue degrees in 15 disciplines as well as pre-professional programs leading to careers in education, law, medicine, physical therapy, and more. Additional programs include the APPLE Project Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science programs for high school students.

More than 99 percent of Lyon students receive financial aid. Lyon offers extensive merit-based scholarship programs, federal and state need-based and merit-based financial aid programs, and athletic grants-in-aid.

Lyon is frequently recognized as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation, ranking as a nationwide top college by Forbes.com; a “Best Southeastern College” by the Princeton Review; and a “Best Bang for the Buck” college and “Most Socially Beneficial College in Arkansas” by Washington Monthly, which also recognized Lyon for recruiting and graduating the highest percentage of low-income students of any college in the state

Anything is possible at Lyon—with the College’s award-winning facultyScottish heritage, highly competitive athletics, outstanding education and adventure program, many campus groups and activities, beautiful historic setting, and unique honor and social codes, students have the freedom to take charge of their own future.

1872

Founded as Arkansas College by Arkansas Presbyterians, Lyon College opened its doors in September 1872. Originally located on the "downtown" block now occupied by the First Presbyterian Church of Batesville, the College remained under the guidance of the Long family for much of its first four decades—Rev. Isaac J. Long serving as president from the College's founding until his death in 1891 and his son, Eugene R. Long, serving two terms as president, 1891 to 1895 and 1897 to 1913. The College was co-educational from the beginning and remained dedicated to a classical course of study into the early 20th century.


1920s

The College expanded its physical plant after World War I by purchasing land in the East End Heights section of town, later known as the middle campus. The boom years of the 1920s faded quickly, however, as Arkansas sank into depression.


1930s

By the early 1930s, the very survival of the College was in jeopardy. Through the untiring efforts of a group of Batesville supporters and alumni and the generosity of Arkansas Presbyterian families, the College recovered in time to participate in the post-World War II G.I. boom that filled the nation's classrooms.


1950s

In 1952 Dr. Paul M. McCain succeeded Rev. John D. Spragins as president of the college. McCain's 17-year tenure as president witnessed steady progress including the move to the current campus in 1954; accreditation by the North Central Association (NCA) in 1959; physical expansion during the 1960s; and the geographic and ethnic diversification of the student body.

1980s

During the 1970s and 1980s, President Dan C. West oversaw the implementation of significant curricular reforms, the introduction of innovative fundraising techniques, and the development of the Scottish Heritage Program. A bequest of more than $14 million by Jean Brown of Hot Springs in 1981 launched a drive that paved the way for a significant expansion of scholarship support for students and endowed faculty positions. In early 1980, it also established the distinctive Nichols International Studies Program that supports the travel of students to sites around the globe.

1990s

In the 1990s President John V. Griffith led a strategic planning process that placed the College on its path to distinction as a national liberal arts institution. During his tenure, the College changed its curriculum, as well as building or expanding several academic buildings including:

  • Holloway Theatre (1991) 
  • Lyon Business and Economics Building (1993) 
  • President's Residence, Bradley Manor (1994)
  • Upper Division Residence Hall, Young House (1993).

In 1994, it adopted the name Lyon College to honor a family that had served it with distinction for more than a half-century. After a renewal of the decades-old discussion of changing the name, on the grounds that "Arkansas College" was too commonplace to express its distinction, the venerable school become Lyon College.

 The College's growing regional and national reputation was exemplified by the regular recognition that came to its faculty. Since 1989, 14 members of the Lyon faculty have been recognized as Arkansas Professors of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Support and Advancement of Education. The College also created the state's only student-run Honor System in 1994.

 

2000s

The curriculum continued to grow with the addition of new majors. The 60,854-square-foot Derby Center for Science and Mathematics was completed in December 2003; the Kelley Baseball Complex opened in January 2004.

In 2001, the College was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's "Best Liberal Arts Colleges."

 

2010s

A fire in 2010 destroyed Edwards Commons, the student center and dining hall. The rebuilt Edwards Commons opened to students in the fall of 2012 and features a bistro, dining hall, student life offices, The Scot Shop, student mailboxes, and a game room.

In 2013, Lyon College reinstated football after a 62-year hiatus. Six-foot-three, 266-pound tight end Garett Denton of Batesville became the first Lyon College football player since 1951 when he signed a letter of intent Aug. 20, 2013. That year Lyon also added men's and women's wrestling to the roster of sports.

In 2017, Dr. W. Joseph King became the 18th president of Lyon and has already instituted several changes, including designating one residence hall as pet-friendly, allowing one cat or dog per room and thus letting students have their beloved pets come to college with them. New competitive varsity sports include the addition of men’s and women’s track and field as well as cheer and dance. New club sports also added are archery, trap shooting, disc golf, and mountain and road cycling.

A new strategic planning process is also under way to plot Lyon’s course over the next five to ten years.

 

 

 


 

"Lyon College, 1872-2002: The Perseverance and Promise of an Arkansas College" by Dr. Brooks Blevins

In 2002, Dr. Brooks Blevins, former Lyon College professor of history, authored the history of his alma mater. "Lyon College, 1872-2002: The Perseverance and Promise of an Arkansas College" was published in 2003 by the University of Arkansas Press.

Illustrated with wonderful photographs from every period in the school's history, this book also contains useful appendices: a timeline of key events and listings of all the presidents, deans, board chairs, and award winners.

Blevins' book is available at the Lyon College Bookstore.

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