Undergraduate Admissions > Homeschool Students

Union University and homeschoolers are a great match. Homeschoolers not only fit in at Union, they excel.

The Elizabeth Tigrett Medal is the most prestigious academic award at Union. The entire faculty votes on the award, and it is given to only one graduating senior each year. In the past six years, four of the six recipients were homeschooled. Union students who were home educated have participated and led in a variety of campus activities including research, media, theater, academics, residence life, honors and more.

Union University core values are synonymous with those of many home educators:

• Excellence-Driven: Students grow spiritually and academically under professors who impact their lives with rigorous academic training. Homeschooled Union graduates are pursuing master's and doctorate degrees at universities such as Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Purdue and Baylor.
• Christ-Centered: Union integrates the Christian faith with top-tier academics in a way that is rare in the world of higher education. Whether studying accounting or art, engineering or English, students understand their role in that field within the context of a Christian worldview. Combine this type of classroom experience with outstanding chapel services and student ministries, and the result is a comprehensive approach to life and learning.
• People-Focused: From the moment freshmen arrive on campus, they begin building friendships that can last a life-time through FOCUS, residence life activities, and Life Groups. Over 70 campus organizations provide opportunities to get involved at Union. Students are dinner guests in the homes of their professors. Faculty members enjoy conversations with students over coffee at Barefoots Joe, a favorite gathering place for students.
• Future-Directed: At Union we are preparing the next generation of shapers and thinkers. We are equipping tomorrow's leaders to integrate intellectual thought and Christian truth into their life service. Students hear internationally recognized speakers such as Condoleezza Rice, conduct research, and grapple with ideas in more than 100 programs of study.

Homeschool Student Profiles

Ben Fulton ('12) Accounting - A National Merit Finalist, Ben was the first varsity level debater on Union's award-winning debate team which began in 2008. Ben is planning to study in France for one semester in addition to completing an accounting internship.

Kelly Reed ('10) Teaching English as a Second Language - Kelly has been involved in many aspects of Union life. She was elected to the Homecoming Court and has participated in a variety of student and service activities. Kelly has also served as a Resident Student Advisor, Life Group leader and a student worker in the Office of Campus Ministries.

Matthew Kuchem ('10) Communications/Political Science - Because of Matthew's studies in political science, he plans to pursue a graduate degree in political theory. His major in communications led him to be the main anchor for Jackson 24/7 news and Focus on Jackson as well as co-host of Head-to-Head. Matthew's experience with television at Union began his freshman year as audio engineer for the live TV broadcasts of Union basketball games.

Katie Watson ('08) Teaching English as a Second Language - Katie was involved in student government, the honors program, Klemata Bible study and was a student member of the faculty QEP committee. She participated in the summer study program at Oxford University and is currently fully funded in a Ph.D. track at Purdue University doing linguistics research.

Matthew Dawson ('08) Mathematics - By the time he had graduated from Union at age 18, Matt had already been published in The Harvard College Mathematics Review. He received scholarship offers for graduate study from such schools as Tulane University and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and he is pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics at Louisiana State University.

Andrew Helms ('07) Philosophy - During his years at Union, Andrew taught logic, Latin and violin at the Augustine School in Jackson. While in the honors program, his B.A. Honors Thesis received the J.P. Boyce Theology and Philosophy Award at Union. Andrew was awarded a teaching assistantship at Texas A & M University where he earned his master's degree in philosophy. He is currently working on his doctorate at the University of Notre Dame.

Arron Powell ('07) Music Theory - Arron was a member of University Singers and traveled concert tours stateside and in Europe. Powell also sang in area churches with Proclamation, a touring vocal ensemble selected by audition from the University Singers. As an interdisciplinary honors studies minor, Powell also was involved in extensive discussions, reading and writing.

Laura Lee Moore ('04) Public Relations - After graduation, Laura Lee was a journeyman in Tanzania with the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board. Her work assignment at the University of Dar es Salaam-a university of 15,000 students-involved reaching young women with the message of salvation. Reflecting on her coronation as Union's 2004 homecoming queen, Moore wrote a personal story that portrays the love for education first instilled by her parents and how it prepared her to thrive in university life. (read more)

Ashley Fitch Blair ('94) Communication Arts - Ashley was the first home educated student to be awarded Union's Scholars of Excellence full-tuition scholarship. At that time, Union University was among the first universities in the state to embrace home schooled seniors. After graduation from Union, Blair earned a master's degree in public relations and worked with internal communications for several companies. She returned to her alma mater where she is an assistant professor in the communication arts department.