Study at Hendrix College!
Welcome to Hendrix College
Hendrix College—a small liberal arts institution located in the heart of Conway, Arkansas—offers the perfect environment for exploring American culture and academic life. With approximately 1,500 students and 100 faculty members, Hendrix is known as one of the 50 best private colleges in the South and the #1 up-and-coming liberal arts college in the United States. Its picturesque campus, active student body, and exciting athletics department are sure to contribute to your ISEP experience of a lifetime!
More About Hendrix College
- In 1876, Hendrix was founded to promote “the transmission of knowledge, the refinement of intellect, and the development of character” among residents of Arkansas; today, undergraduates at Hendrix come from 42 states and over 20 different countries.
- Over 85% of Hendrix students live on campus.
- Almost all Hendrix faculty members hold terminal degrees in their fields.
- Of the Hendrix student population, 20% are underrepresented minorities.
- Hendrix graduates are recognized for their high rate of acceptance at law schools (over 90%) and medical schools (85%).
"I loved the strong sense of community and close association at Hendrix. I developed a greater extent of open-mindedness, insight, independence, and maturity. Hendrix will make you feel comfortable and at home straight away. It is a very friendly place!”
-- Scott Johnston, an ISEP Exchange Student from University of Ulster
Top 10 things to know about Hendrix College
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Hendrix’s innovative Your Hendrix Odyssey: Engaging in Active Learning program sends students on a unique, customized, learning adventure. |
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Hendrix offers 33 undergraduate majors, 32 minors, M.A. in accounting, and more 70 clubs and organizations. |
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Conway is known as the “city of colleges” because it is home to three higher education institutions.
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Conway’s annual festival, Toad Suck Daze, has been tradition for more than 25 years. |
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Architect and musician, Christopher Janney, will be installing an Urban Musical Instrument containing interactive light and sound on campus in the fall of 2010. |
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Three Hendrix buildings are on the National Register of Historical Places - Galloway Hall, Martin Hall, and Ellis Hall.
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The Hendrix Student Life and Technology Center is the first building on an Arkansas college campus to be certified as LEED- Gold.
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Campus Kitty, a student-initiated fund raising campaign, was established in 1949 to support local charities. The week-long event raised more than $60,000 in its 60th year.
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Central Institute was founded in Altus, Arkansas, in 1876. Central Institute later became Hendrix College and was relocated to Conway, Arkansas, in 1890.
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The best-selling T-shirt in the Hendrix bookstore is one that says our Football Team is undefeated since 1961. Hendrix has not had a football team since 1961.
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"Hendrix is a great college. The professors are helpful and really nice. I was afraid when I arrived, but they were really kind to me. The support of all the professors helped me so much! I felt that I had learned a lot thanks to all the fantastic courses that I could take at my host university. Furthermore, I had the opportunity of traveling around the USA and I met so many great people."
--Ana Vidal Garcia, an ISEP Exchange student from Universidad de Vigo
Academic Information
One of the great advantages about Hendrix is its intimate learning environment and quality classroom instruction. In fact, most classes are no larger than 19 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13 to 1. International students can choose from 33 undergraduate majors and 32 minors in fields such as American studies, politics, international relations, environmental studies, accounting, fine arts and art history, biochemistry and molecular biology, chemical physics, allied health, classics, computer science, foreign languages and linguistics, psychology, kinesiology, sociology, anthropology, and many more. Several dual-degree programs are also offered, along with additional academic options such as pre-law and pre-medicine.
Three Most Popular Majors
1. Biological Sciences
This major emphasizes course work in cell biology, botany, zoology, genetics, and ecology and evolution. Most classes are made up of both labs and lectures, creating an interactive learning experience built on case studies and personal research. Students in their last year of study also complete a Senior Capstone Experience, which includes taking a seminar in their specific subfield of study and a comprehensive examination. Many students who graduate from the biology program at Hendrix go on to enroll in graduate school, teach biology at the high-school level, enter the job industry, or apply to medical school, dental school, or veterinary medicine programs. Biology Program
2. English
English majors acquire a breadth of knowledge about British and American literature; enjoy opportunities to conduct research; compose analytical and interpretive essays; and study literary theory, film, and global literature. The department also offers a number of writing courses, including several creative writing workshops, and supports several interdisciplinary programs such as Africana studies, American studies, environmental studies, film studies, and gender studies. English Program
3. History
The faculty members in Hendrix’s history department are teacher–scholars interested in providing students with high-level skills in writing, analysis of primary and secondary sources, and construction of original arguments. The study of history can prepare students for a wide range of careers in fields such as law and government, education, business, the nonprofit sector, museums, and public history. Courses and requirements are designed to teach a variety of historical approaches and methods. History Program
Student Life
- Hendrix College offers nearly 70 different student organizations in the academic, cultural, athletic, political, religious, and social arenas. Student organizations are a great way to meet people and explore personal interests.
- In January 2010, Hendrix opened a new Student Life and Technology Center. The building provides ample space for eating, talking, planning, bonding, computing, studying, and other social activities.
- The Hendrix Odyssey Program allows students to complete internships and externships relating to artistic creativity, global awareness, service to the world, undergraduate research, and professional/leadership development.
- • Hendrix students have the opportunity to contribute to publications and media such as The Aonian (a literary arts magazine), The Profile (the student newspaper), and The Troubadour (the college yearbook), all of which can be found in many locations around campus.
- Hendrix dining halls provide award-winning food to all residential students. In addition to standard fare, Hendrix prepares meals for vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, and lacto-vegetarian students. Choose from the Hulen Cafeteria or The Burrow when you get hungry on campus.
"This was just an amazing year! Hendrix is a small college, so it's very easy to get to know everybody, and as an exchange student, people were eager to meet us. Doing sports and taking part in the social life of the campus help a lot to get integrated. Being on an American campus is a great experience in itself, but what is very interesting too is to meet as many people as possible and to travel as much as possible. In 10 months, I visited all the big cities and went to 13 states!...Thank You ISEP!"
-- Pauline Boutillier, an ISEP Exchange Student from Université de Picardie Jules Verne
About Your ISEP Coordinator
ISEP Coordinator Peter Gess is the Director of International Programs at Hendrix College. He grew up in the Atlanta, Georgia, area and earned his Bachelor of Computer Engineering and Master of Science in Environmental Engineering degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Later, he earned his doctorate in Public Administration at the University of Georgia. Peter is also an assistant professor of politics, teaching courses in public administration and policy, policy analysis, and environmental policy. In addition, he is a member of the environmental studies faculty. Before coming to Hendrix College, he helped create the International Center for Democratic Governance at the University of Georgia.
Peter’s first significant international experience came as a US Peace Corps volunteer in Poland in the mid 1990s. He served as an environmental awareness advisor in Wigry National Park, where he launched public outreach and education programs. He also hosted a weekly local radio program entitled “American University.” One of his most rewarding international experiences was a 4000-kilometer bicycle ride across the British Isles; he fell in love with Irish people, scenery, and beer.
According to Peter, the best part of his job is observing and aiding the deep transformations that occur through international education, whether it is Hendrix students studying abroad or exchange students coming to campus. He feels incredibly lucky to be able to work with students from all over the world.
Conway, Arkansas
- Conway, Arkansas has a population of 60,000 and is the second fastest growing city in Arkansas.
- Hendrix’s 180-acre campus is a 10-minute walk from the shopping district of Conway. Downtown Conway maintains a small-town feel and provides a safe environment for international students to eat, shop, and socialize.
- The Ozark Mountains are a few minutes northwest of the Hendrix campus. Petit Jean State Park and Pinnacle Mountain State Park provide excellent opportunities for camping, hiking, canoeing, and biking.
- Conway is just 30 miles north of Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas. Students can travel to Little Rock to enjoy professional symphony orchestras concerts, repertory theatre shows, and art and history museums. The city is also home to many baseball, basketball, rugby, soccer, cricket, and football teams.
- Conway residents enjoy pleasant climates year-round, with an average high of 39°F (3.9°C) in January and 81°F (27.8°C) in July.
Read more about Conway, Arkansas!
Some sections taken directly from www.hendrix.edu