History

Woodland College, an earlier attempt by the Baptists of Northeast Arkansas to support a college, had failed in 1912.  But by 1919 local Jonesboro businessmen agreed to help raise funds for another attempt.  The First Baptist Church of Blytheville provided starting funds.  In 1920 bids were let for the construction of a building in south Jonesboro costing $200,000.  By the fall of 1924 classes began for six teachers and 250 students in the new building.  The catalog notes that the first summer term also drew 250 students.  The fall of 1925 saw enrollment increase to 302.  Enrollment remained stable, with 325--including 19 young preachers--enrolled in 1932.

 

The 1927-28 catalog shows that, like many small schools of the time, Jonesboro offered programs to meet numerous community needs.  It was a liberal arts junior college with the usual courses in languages, mathematics, science, fine arts, and history.  Its education department included a normal license course to train area teachers; its summer session provided an opportunity for those teachers to continue coursework.  J.C. offered commercial subjects to prepare students for business and office work.  Important for the time, it offered a pre-medical course.  To prepare younger students for college, it offered an academy.  

 

While the city of Jonesboro and the Baptist Home Missions board were to jointly fund Jonesboro College, newspaper accounts show that it was in need of financial help almost immediately.  In 1928 newspapers contained rumors of closure.  Among groups providing funds were the Craighead County Klu Klux Klan, which provided $1200.   In 1932 the president reported to the state Baptist Convention that J.C. "was not making any debts."

 

However, in 1934 Jonesboro College closed.  Rogers notes that "in many ways Jonesboro College was a great school.  "The curriculum, was not outmoded and there was no apathy of interest." He concluded, "Lack of funds closed Jonesboro College."