May 11, 2005

Mary Baldwin College Added to the USA South's Membership

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced that Mary Baldwin College will join the Conference as a full member.  The addition of the school, located in Staunton, Va., brings the number of full members of the USA South Athletic Conference to nine.  "The USA South Athletic Conference is pleased to welcome Mary Baldwin College into the Conference," stated Commissioner Rita Wiggs.  "Mary Baldwin College presents the academic reputation and the athletic profile that we value in our members.  We look forward to our association with their administrators, coaches and student-athletes." 

Starting with the 2007-2008 academic year, Mary Baldwin will compete with Averett University, Christopher Newport University, Ferrum College, Greensboro College, Methodist College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Peace College and Shenandoah University for USA South titles in women's sports.  Mary Baldwin offers six women's sports (cross country, volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball and tennis) that the USA South sponsors and two sports (field hockey and swimming) that the conference doesn't sponsor.  Donna Miller, Mary Baldwin College's Director of Athletics, had these comments: "We are extremely pleased and honored to be admitted into the prestigious USA South Athletic Conference.  The opportunity this affords us will strengthen our commitment to women's intercollegiate athletics.  We look forward to our relationship with all the fine institutions making up the conference."

"The unanimous acceptance of our application to the USA South Athletic Conference will benefit our college and athletes," stated Mary Baldwin President Pamela Fox.  "We have enormous respect for our colleagues in this conference and for their commitment to women's intercollegiate athletic programs."

The institution was founded in 1842 as Augusta Female Seminary and was related to the U.S. Presbyterian Church.  In 1895 it was named for Mary Julia Baldwin, an educator and principal.  The seminary became Mary Baldwin Junior College in 1916 and four-year women's liberal arts college in 1923, when the name was changed to Mary Baldwin College.  The main campus is located in Staunton, Va. in the Shenandoah Valley.  Mary Baldwin offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 32 majors and 36 minors.