Henderson State University

Henderson State University is a public university in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Founded in 1890, it operates as part of the Arkansas State University System and serves undergraduate and graduate students in a rural campus setting. Originally established as Arkadelphia Methodist College, the institution has evolved through several name changes before becoming Henderson State University in 1975. It offers programs in fields such as business, education, nursing, liberal arts, and the sciences. Henderson State University is known regionally for teacher education, health professions, and participation in NCAA Division II athletics as the Reddies. Its size and setting appeal to students seeking a smaller public university experience in southwest Arkansas.

Henderson State University was founded in 1890 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, as Arkadelphia Methodist College. Established by local civic leaders and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the institution opened as a four-year college dedicated to higher education in southern Arkansas. George Childs Jones served as the first president beginning in 1890. The college was renamed Henderson College in 1904 to honor trustee Charles Christopher Henderson, and later became Henderson-Brown College in 1911. In 1929, the State of Arkansas assumed control, and the institution was reorganized as Henderson State Teachers College, reflecting its growing role in teacher education. It became Henderson State College in 1967 and achieved university status as Henderson State University in 1975. In 2019, Henderson State University joined the Arkansas State University System, marking a significant structural transition in its modern history.