Truett McConnell University is a Georgia Baptist school in Cleveland, in the White County foothills below Mount Yonah. It opened in 1947 as a two-year college named for two preacher cousins who once ran a mountain academy for ministers. It began offering four-year degrees in 2002 and graduate degrees in 2014. Every student still graduates with a minor in Great Commission Studies, and chapel is part of every week.
About this site
Truett McConnell University is a college & university in Cleveland, White County. It is one of 97 historic sites cataloged in White County on Georgia Roam.
The site sits at 34.5959, -83.7482 near Cleveland. The nearest cataloged historic site is Cleveland Cemetery (cemetery), about 0.6 miles away. Others within a short drive include White County Courthouse, White County Jail, and Old White County Courthouse.
This record is drawn from Georgia Roam. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
What makes Truett McConnell University different
It is named for George W. Truett and Fernando C. McConnell, cousins who opened an academy in Hiawassee in 1887 to train mountain preachers. tmu.edu
The college opened in September 1947 with just 55 students, meeting in temporary quarters near Cleveland's town square. georgiaencyclopedia.org
Every student graduates with a minor in Great Commission Studies, built into the general education requirements. tmu.edu
Chapel is required for all on-campus students and meets every Tuesday morning. tmu.edu
It was a two-year college for more than half a century. Accreditors approved four-year degrees in 2002 and its first master's degree in December 2013. tmu.edu
Xavier Roberts, who created the Cabbage Patch Kids and built their Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, studied art here. en.wikipedia.org
In 1887, Baptist preachers George W. Truett and his cousin Fernando C. McConnell opened an academy in Hiawassee to educate young mountain ministers. It eventually closed, and both men went on to prominent pulpits: Truett led First Baptist Church of Dallas for 47 years, and McConnell pastored Druid Hills Baptist in Atlanta. On July 23, 1946, the Georgia Baptist Convention founded a new college in Cleveland and named it for them.
Truett-McConnell College opened in September 1947 with 55 students in temporary quarters near the town square. It moved onto its present campus in 1956 and was first accredited, as a two-year college, in 1966. Enrollment grew and then fell after its satellite campuses closed around 2001, dropping to about 450 students by 2008. In 2002 the regional accreditor approved bachelor's degrees. The college added music, Christian studies and education degrees, and in December 2013 it won approval for its first master's program, in theology. In 2016 it became Truett McConnell University.
Its growth since 2008 brought a new residence hall, an expanded classroom building and a student recreation center, along with nursing and graduate programs. In September 2025, after an independent investigation, the trustees parted ways with longtime president Emir Caner, and John O. Yarbrough served as interim president. Larry Lyon, a former senior administrator at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, became the ninth president on April 1, 2026.
#3 safest college campus in Georgia and #56 of 1,560 nationwide — Niche, 2026source
Majors & programs
TMU offers 23 bachelor's degrees on campus and online, plus master's degrees in theology, counseling, business and education and a Doctor of Business Administration. Every undergraduate also completes the Great Commission Studies minor. Below are the degrees TMU listed in September 2026; the groupings are Georgia Roam's.
Known for
Christian Studies and Theology
The school's founding purpose was training ministers. Today it runs from a B.A. in Christian Studies through a Master of Divinity.
Known for
Nursing
A B.S.N. that includes the Great Commission minor, with a White Coat ceremony for nursing students.
Known for
Music, Worship and Music Education
Bachelor of Music degrees in performance and worship studies, plus a B.S. in music education for P–12 teaching.
Known for
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
A master's program with an optional sports psychology track.
Known for
Forensic Science and Cybersecurity Management
Two of the newer bachelor's degrees, alongside criminal justice.
All degree programs at Truett McConnell University (30)
Christian studies, humanities and the arts
Christian Studies · B.A.
Communication · B.A.
English & Creative Writing · B.A.
Global Studies · B.A.
History · B.A.
Humanities · B.A.
Music · B.A.
Music Performance · B.M.
Worship Studies · B.M.
Sciences, health and behavioral sciences
Biology · B.S.
Exercise Science · B.S.
Forensic Science · B.S.
Nursing · B.S.N.
Psychology · B.S.
Criminal Justice · B.S.
Business
Accounting · B.S.
Business Administration · B.S.
Cybersecurity Management · B.S.
Education
Elementary Education · B.S.
Middle Grades Education · B.S.
Music Education · B.S.
Secondary Education – English · B.S.
Secondary Education – History · B.S.
Graduate programs
Bible and Theology; Christian Ministry; Theology (thesis); Global Studies · M.A.
Divinity · M.Div.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Global Mental Health Counseling (each with an optional sports psychology track) · M.A.
Business Administration; Accountancy · MBA, M.Acc.
Public Administration; Sports Management · M.P.A., M.S.M.
Xavier Roberts — creator of the Cabbage Patch Kids, whose Babyland General Hospital stands in Cleveland (studied art; attended) en.wikipedia.org
Mitchell Wiggins — NBA guard for the Bulls, Rockets and 76ers and father of NBA champion Andrew Wiggins; played for Truett-McConnell before Clemson and Florida State (attended) en.wikipedia.org
It is a Georgia Baptist university in Cleveland with a biblically centered curriculum. Every student earns a Great Commission Studies minor, and chapel is held weekly. Programs range from Christian studies and nursing to business, education and music.
Is Truett McConnell a university or a college?
It was Truett-McConnell College from its founding until 2016, when it became Truett McConnell University. It began granting bachelor's degrees in 2002 and master's degrees after 2013.
How big is Truett McConnell University?
It reported 2,615 students to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024, a total that includes online and dual-enrollment students. The campus covers more than 200 acres.
What division is Truett McConnell in?
The Bears compete in the NAIA as members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
Who is the president of Truett McConnell University?
Larry Lyon became the university's ninth president on April 1, 2026.
Is chapel required at Truett McConnell?
Yes, for on-campus students. Chapel meets every Tuesday morning.
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