John C. Stevens

Born July 15, 1918, Dr. John Stevens served for 12 years as Abilene Christian University's eighth president and for nine years as ACU chancellor. He has been chancellor emeritus since 1991. Currently, he spends much of his time researching the history of the university.

During his tenure as president, enrollment grew from 3,110 to a then-record high of 4,560 in the fall 1980, and construction was completed on the Don H. Morris Center, Cullen Auditorium and four major housing projects. Full-time faculty, which numbered 142 in 1969, increased to 184.

Stevens emphasized two primary goals as president: the growth of the institution, its campus, its academic quality and its student body; and the spiritual commitment of the entire institution, its administration, faculty/staff and students.

He grew up in Richland and graduated from Richland High School a year early in 1934.

That fall he came to Abilene Christian University, where he was president of the Students' Association in 1937-38, president of the A Club and a member of Sub T-16 men's social club, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta honorary historical society. He also lettered three years in debate. He graduated cum laude in 1938 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible.

Stevens preached for the next four years at the Jasper Church of Christ before accepting a one-year preaching appointment at Central Church of Christ in Beaumont. He actually began preaching sermons in 1931, a year after being baptized in Corsicana by Brother J.L. Hines.

In 1943 he joined the U.S. Army as a chaplain with the rank of first lieutenant. During his three years in the army he was awarded the European Theatre of Operations ribbons with campaign stars for Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe. He also was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters. In 1946 he was discharged with the rank of major.

Stevens received a Master of Arts degree in history and political science from the University of Arkansas in 1948. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in history and political science in 1954. He also did graduate work at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

He served as a substitute teacher at Bentonville High School in Arkansas in 1946. He began teaching at ACU in the fall of 1948 as an assistant professor of history, becoming dean of men in 1950, dean of students in 1952 and assistant president to Don H. Morris in 1956. Stevens was inaugurated as president of ACU in 1969 and became the university's chancellor in 1981.

He married Marian Ruth Rambo, a 1945 ACU graduate, on Dec. 16, 1948. At the time she was teaching at ACU. Both of their children attended the university.

In addition to his academic responsibilities, Stevens has been active in church and civic activities. He worshipped with South Thompson Church of Christ in Springdale, Ark., served as an elder for Central Church of Christ in Abilene, worshipped with University Church of Christ for many years and currently worships at Hillcrest Church of Christ.

He served as an Abilene City Councilman, president of the Key City Kiwanis Club, board chairman for the Abilene Boys Ranch, director of the Abilene United Fund, director of the Abilene Philharmonic Association, director of Citizens National Bank, director of Security State Bank, director of the Abilene Public Library, member of the board of directors for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, a member of Citizens for Better Government, chair of the board of directors for The Noah Project, an officer on the board of directors for Disability Resources, a member of the Abilene Arts and Education Task Force, chairman of the Taylor County Commission against Pari-Mutual Gambling, and on multiple statewide boards relating to higher education. Stevens also headed up fund-raising campaigns for Hendrick Medical Center, of which the Spectrum 80 campaign in 1977 raised a million dollars above its goal and for The American Cancer Society.

Stevens received the George Washington Medal for public address from the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Pa., in 1961. He was honored in 1981 as Abilene's outstanding citizen of the year. He also holds honorary doctorates from ACU, Amber, Pepperdine and Oklahoma Christian universities. He also received ACU's Distinguished Servant Award.

Before he became president of ACU, Stevens made frequent use of his pilot's license, both for the school and as a personal hobby. He held single and multi-engine ratings, a commercial license and a flight instructor's license.

During the last 40 years, Stevens has spoken to hundreds of civic and professional organization, high school commencement ceremonies, lectureships and other special groups.