McMurry University: A Legacy of Academics, Community, and Faith

McMurry University, a private Methodist-affiliated institution in Abilene, Texas, has a rich history rooted in Christian values and a commitment to providing a comprehensive liberal arts education. Since its establishment in 1923, McMurry has fostered a nurturing environment where students can grow academically, socially, and spiritually. The university's 52-acre campus offers a blend of modern facilities and historic charm, creating a unique setting for undergraduate studies.

A Foundation of Academic Excellence

McMurry University offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, business, education, and sciences. The university prides itself on maintaining small class sizes, fostering personalized attention and close interaction between students and faculty. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, McMurry ensures that students receive individualized support and mentorship throughout their academic journey.

The dedicated faculty members, many of whom hold advanced degrees in their respective fields, are committed to providing a challenging yet supportive learning environment. McMurry houses specialized facilities such as the Finch-Gray Science Building, the Amy Graves Ryan Fine Arts Center, and the Center for Innovation, providing students with state-of-the-art resources for their academic pursuits. The university also boasts an academic enrichment center, where tutors are available to counsel students, as well as a four-year honors college for high-achieving individuals. McMurry is dedicated to providing a balance of a rich, comprehensive, liberal arts education with the practical concerns of finding gainful employment. The humanities give critical insight into aspects of thought, values, and achievement in all times and places. The social sciences contribute an understanding of people living in various cultural and social contexts.

The Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences

The Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences is dedicated to providing a balance of a rich, comprehensive, liberal arts education with the practical concerns of finding gainful employment. The humanities give critical insight into aspects of thought, values, and achievement in all times and places. The social sciences contribute an understanding of people living in various cultural and social contexts.

The McMurry History Department

The McMurry History Department offers a curriculum that blends time-honored courses in the classical tradition with fresh and unique areas of study. A history degree provides an excellent starting point for careers in government work and politics. Or you may decide to broaden your understanding of the past in pursuit of a career an archeologist or museum curator.

Campus Life: A Vibrant and Engaging Community

Beyond academics, McMurry University offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations, clubs, and athletics programs. Students can engage in activities such as theater productions, music performances, intramural sports, and community service initiatives. The university also encourages students to broaden their horizons through experiential learning opportunities, including internships, research projects, and study abroad programs.

Student Organizations and Activities

McMurry University boasts a diverse range of student organizations catering to various interests and passions. The Student Association, composed of all full-time students, serves as the primary voice for the student body, promoting democratic expression and representing student interests in matters relating to social life, activities, and elections. The McMurry Student Government, divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches, leads the Student Association, with the Senate serving as the legislative body.

Other notable student organizations include:

Campus Activities Board (CAB): A student-run organization that plans and sponsors a variety of programs on campus, providing leadership training for its members. CAB values creativity, integrity, passion, diligence, and service.
The McMurry Student Foundation (MSF): Formerly known as the Student Ambassador Board, MSF acts as a liaison between McMurry students, alumni, and special guests, instilling a spirit of philanthropy in fellow students and alumni.

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Servant Leadership Center of the Southwest: This center helps students become effective servants and leaders through curricular and extracurricular efforts, affirming that the most effective leaders are motivated to serve.
Religious and Spiritual Life Office: Sharing in United Methodism’s concern that “knowledge and vital piety” be creatively joined, McMurry University emphasizes its mission and core values centered on the spiritual dimension of life. The University Chaplain and Assistant Chaplain serve as advisors, mentors, and companions on the journey to provide leadership and direction with students, faculty, staff, and administrators who desire to live out their own calling for spiritual health and wellbeing.
The War Hawk Herald: The official newspaper for the greater McMurry community, published biweekly by students.
The Galleon: The University literary magazine, publishes the best essays, poetry, short stories, and other literary efforts of the greater McMurry community.
Talon: The University yearbook, is published in the fall. It pre-sents a record of student and campus life during the previous academic year.

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The McMurry Kinesiology Klub: open to all interested students. Activities include programs with guest professionals, field trips to professional meetings and workshops, and fund-raising activities.
Model United Nations: an inter-disciplinary organization that provides students with opportunities to travel and to engage in interactive simulations focusing on thematic global issues, such as promoting religious freedom, human rights, nuclear nonproliferation, etc.
The McMurry Psychology Club “TRI-PSY”: was organized to promote interest in psychology, to provide psychological activities beyond the usual classroom situations, to enhance contacts between students and local mental health professionals, and to encourage fellowship among psychology students.
The Shareholders Business Club: promote interest in Business among the students of McMurry University.
The McMurry Chapter of the Society of Physics Students: The purpose of the Society is to promote educational activities for all students interested in physics and to encourage and assist students to develop the knowledge, competence, enthusiasm, and social responsibility that are essential to the advancement of physics.
The McMurry Sociology Club: Sociology & Criminology Club, in 2017.
Alpha Chi: a national scholarship society. Eligibility is based upon character and scholarship. Members are elected from the top ten percent of the junior and senior classes.
Kappa Delta Pi: the national honor society in education, was chartered at McMurry University. The purpose of Kappa Delta Pi is to encourage high professional, intellectual, and personal standards and to recognize outstanding contributions to education.
Phi Alpha Theta: is an international honor society for history; membership is open to students who meet the academic requirements and have completed twelve hours of history.
Pi Kappa Delta: a national forensics fraternity, was organized in 1967.
Psi Chi: is the National Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduate and undergraduate men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the minimum qualifications.
Sigma Pi Sigma: physics honor society. The objective of the Society is to recognize the attainment of high scholarship and potential achievement in physics. Membership is open to juniors and seniors who have attained high scholarship in physics and other subjects and who give evidence of professional merit, proficiency, or distinction.
Sigma Tau Delta: the national honorary and professional society.
ATPE: a professional organization that is available for all pre-service educators that attend McMurry University.
Eleven social clubs: founded upon democratic principles and are dedicated to the promotion of wholesome social activities.

Musical Ensembles

McMurry University offers a variety of musical ensembles for students to showcase their talents and passion for music. These ensembles include:

The McMurry Marching Band: Consisting of students from all areas of study, the Marching Band presents half-time shows at football games and parades during the Fall semester. In the Spring semester, it transforms into the Symphonic Band, performing in concert at schools, churches, and community events.
The Wind Ensemble: The top band at McMurry University, known for its remarkable presence and dynamic range. This ensemble has a long legacy of excellence and has traveled the globe to attend conferences and present unique music.
The Symphonic Band: The entry band for the University and the Spring counterpart to the fall’s Marching Band.
Chanters: The choral ensemble of McMurry University, open to all university students. Singers explore choral music from all musical eras while developing proper vocal technique.
Sounds: A small, select choral ensemble that performs a wide variety of a cappella literature, demanding excellent musicianship.
The Jazz Ensemble: Focusing on all styles of jazz, the Jazz Ensemble features a variety of configurations, including traditional big band, the War Hawk Brass, a New Orleans style brass band, and jazz combos.
The Percussion Ensemble: An active chamber ensemble open to all students, presenting two to four concerts each year and may include some travel.
The McMurry University Trumpet Ensemble: Required for all Trumpet majors and open to others, performing the standard repertoire and regularly premieres newly commissioned works.

Athletics

McMurry University participates in 20 intercollegiate sports, providing men with opportunities to compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track and field (indoor and outdoor). The McMurry Athletic Department is committed to enhancing the educational experiences of its scholar-athletes within the established Christian Liberal Arts tradition of the university. The department is dedicated to the academic success and progress toward graduation of its scholar-athletes, as well as the development of skills necessary for lifelong social responsibility and service, through equitable opportunities for growth and excellence in intercollegiate athletics competition and the intentional integration of athletics and academic experiences.

McMurry's athletic teams, known as the War Hawks, compete in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).

Resources and Support Services

McMurry University provides a comprehensive range of resources and support services to ensure student success and well-being. These services include:

Counseling Services: Devoted to helping students who need assistance in coping with personal problems, including depression, anxiety, issues of abuse or trauma, family of origin issues, self-esteem, relationship issues, substance abuse, and grief.
Career Development: The office of Career Development provides a variety of career opportunities that can assist students and alumni in making wise career decisions. Career Counseling/Testing - Help with decisions concerning majors, careers, and career-related issues. Employment Services - Facilitate Work Study award verification and hiring process. Provide online listings and job search tools for offcampus part-time and full-time jobs as well as internships. Resume andcover letter assistance is available. Special Programs - Recruiters from across the state come to our on-campus and off-campus Career Fairs to recruit our students and alumni. Senior programming brings together many resources for seniors to gain information concerning graduation and life afterward.
Student Health Clinic: Staffed by a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner, the clinic provides assessment of minor illnesses/injuries, testing for frequently occurring illnesses, and referrals to physicians off campus as needed.

Admissions and Affordability

McMurry University has an acceptance rate of 57%. The application deadline for freshmen is August 15. While McMurry has an official test-optional admission policy, it takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them.

McMurry University is committed to making education accessible and affordable. The university offers various financial aid options, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. In 2025, the tuition amounted to $33,124 for all full-time domestic students. The price of room and board at McMurry University was $9,676 per academic year. Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support for students. The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 274 freshmen.

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