A Brief History of Augusta State University
The principles of equality and opportunity that animated the American Revolution are at the root of Augusta State University's historic mission. In 1783 the state of Georgia was newly free of British rule and undertook a broad effort to extend educational opportunity throughout the state. One of the first steps was to charter the Academy of Richmond County. The Academy offered secondary diplomas and post-secondary instruction which prepared students for their junior year at major American universities. In 1925, post-secondary instruction was assigned to the newly formed Junior College of Augusta, the first public junior college in the state of Georgia. When the site of the Augusta Arsenal, formerly the estate of Freeman Walker, was given to educational purposes, the Junior College moved to its present location. From the century old oaks and magnolias of the former estate to the thick masonry of the old Augusta Arsenal, the campus remains rich in reminders of bygone eras and its military origins.

The institution changed its name to Augusta College in 1958 when it became a part of the University System of Georgia. Augusta College continued to grow in size and programs: the first four year degrees were awarded in 1967 and graduate degrees in 1973. Now, more than 50 associate, bachelor, masters, and specialist degree programs are offered. On June 12, 1996, the college became Augusta State University.

As a member of the University System of Georgia, Augusta State University is the primary public institution of higher learning in the state's second largest city. While it shares the technological and innovative resources of the University System, it maintains the historical roots that make the learning experience as unique as the campus itself. The university is well known for its dedication to expanding educational opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, with a special emphasis on service to Georgians in the Central Savannah River Area. We express this dedication in the first sentence of our mission statement, the central point of reference for all our academic and other programs (The full text of the ASU Mission Statement begins on page 3.):