Union College

School mission (as provided by the school):

Church and is located in Barbourville, Kentucky, near the center of the Southern Highlands of Appalachia. The College's location affords easy access to the region's provinces and their great diversity of landscapes and historical experience, and to regional metropolitan areas, including Lexington, Kentucky and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Union College is a learning community dedicated to creating personal, intellectual, and social transformation though the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, service, and spiritual growth. These components are developed through programs designed to create a rich, well-rounded educational experience. The College's core curriculum, rooted in the liberal arts, nurtures intellectual and ethical development and the ability to make meaningful choices and informed decisions. The College sees a special connection between intellectual development, service, and spiritual growth and seeks to cultivate a community which explores the intellectual and social dimensions of Christian faith. This exploration is possible in part through an active Center for Spirituality and Service which houses the following programs: Bonner Scholars, a national scholarship-based service program; Common Partners, the gateway for all service opportunities; and the Office of Spiritual Life, home to a variety of programs for students of all faiths.

Union College's undergraduate program offers the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees. In addition to majors in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and applied sciences, majors and areas of study in pre-professional, technical, and skills-oriented fields enhance postgraduate employment opportunities. A newly formed Honors Community nurtures and challenges high-performing students. Academic support services promote the success of each student through well-designed programs and events. A growing Graduate Studies program offers fifth-year Master's Degree opportunities for accomplished students and advanced degree options in Education and Psychology.

Campus facilities enhance learning at Union College. A state-of-the-art technology center offers wireless Internet access, computer labs, multi-media and technology support services, and is one reason Barbourville is listed among the "Best Wired Towns in America" by Yahoo! Internet Life. An audio-visual production studio supports the work of Mass Communications majors and is utilized by the entire campus. Classroom buildings, the library, dormitories, and other facilities include technology supportive of the College's educational goals. Recent projects, including a $4.2 geothermal energy upgrade, create opportunities for students to receive the benefits of and learn about new technologies.

Robust student life, athletic, and special programs further complement learning at Union College, take advantage of the area's unique natural resources, represent the needs and voices of students, and promote social, physical, and intellectual development. Students are provided numerous opportunities to participate in activities which focus on academic and religious issues, wilderness experiences, leadership, service learning, governance, as well as literary, music, and professional clubs and organizations. Study abroad, internships, and service-related travel allow learning connections to happen outside of the classroom. The athletics program features a variety of intercollegiate sports that have proven competitive at regional and national levels. The Appalachian Wilderness Club and UC Outdoors programs take advantage of the majestic Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, the famous Wilderness Road, and four state parks filled with falls, lakes, and streams. Students interested in the outdoors recreationally or as a field of study enjoy kayaking, canoeing, hiking, climbing, camping, caving, and mountain biking in an abundance of nearby wilderness areas.