Schreiner University’s Heritage
Founded in 1923, Schreiner is an independent and coeducational university with a rich history steeped in Texas heritage and tradition.
The school was founded by Captain Charles Schreiner; a Hill Country rancher, merchant and former Texas Ranger. Captain Schreiner asked the Presbyterian Church to help him create “facilities for high grade instruction and military training for boys and young men as preparation for college and university work.” He donated land along the Guadalupe River to accommodate the new school.
Schreiner’s first students arrived in 1923 from remote ranching communities. News of the prep school and its nurturing atmosphere spread quickly. Soon scores of young men from the Southwest and several Central and South American countries, gathered in Kerrville to earn their high school diplomas and junior college degrees.
By 1971 the military training was discontinued and the school became fully coeducational. In 1973, Schreiner phased out its high school and strengthened its college curricula. In 1981, the college became a four-year institution, graduating its first baccalaureate class three years later. Only a decade after, Schreiner College was listed as one of the top regional liberal arts colleges in the western United States by the prestigious U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges Guide. In February 2001, the Board of Trustees voted to change from Schreiner College to Schreiner University.
Traditions at Schreiner University
FIGHT FOR SCHREINER
Fight for Schreiner.
Fight for Schreiner.
Fight to win this game.
Down the foe team,
On we go team,
On to Vic—to—ry.
Raise our banner,
Shout Hosanna,
Glory to her name.
Fight te—am, Fight—Fight—Fight
For Schreiner’s fame.
(Repeat)
THE CHALLENGE COIN TRADITION
The history of challenge coins is military in nature and can be traced as far back as the Civil War when soldiers carried a coin from their hometown throughout the conflict and then continued to carry it after the war as a reminder of their experiences. Military forces continued the tradition of carrying a coin in World Wars I and II as well as in the Vietnam war. Soldiers carried a coin to identify the branch of military they were serving in, as well as their unit, and it became a symbol of camaraderie and the strong bond between soldiers serving together. The coins eventually became known as challenge coins as members of one branch would challenge members of another branch or unit to see if they carried their coin. The coins are still an active symbol in today’s military forces. In addition to the military, lawmen and firefighters are also known to carry challenge coins today.
WHAT IS THE PRESIDENTIAL CHALLENGE COIN SERIES?
A series of five coins to be earned by students from the time they enter Schreiner University as a freshman Enters with Hope until they graduate as they Leave with Achievement.
The front of each coin will always have the Schreiner University Seal.
The coins will only be awarded to students by Dr. Charlie McCormick as President of Schreiner University. The back of each coin will always say:
Presented by
Dr. Charlie T. McCormick
EARNING PRESIDENTIAL CHALLENGE COINS
Acceptance
The first coin of the series is based on the acceptance of the Schreiner Promise as an entering freshman during the Fall Academic Convocation ceremony.
As a member of the Schreiner Community,
I will commit myself to the pursuit of knowledge with personal integrity and academic honesty;
I will support a culture of diversity by respecting the rights of those who differ from myself;
I will contribute to the development of a caring community where compassion for others and freedom of thought and expression are valued;
I will honor, challenge, and contribute to the scholarly heritage left by those who preceded me and work to leave this a better place for those who follow; and,
I will enter with hope and leave with achievement.
By endorsing these common principles,
I accept a moral obligation to behave in ways that contribute positively to our campus environment and resolve to support this behavior in others.
This commitment is my promise to Schreiner University and its community of scholars.
The middle three coins of the series are based on student life learning experiences and achievements earned during their baccalaureate studies while at Schreiner University.
- Academic Excellence
- Leadership
- Schreiner Experience
Academic Excellence
The second coin of the series is based on academic excellence. Students on the President’s List any single semester will automatically be awarded the third coin. A 4.0 GPA is required for inclusion on the President’s List.
Leadership
The third coin of the series is based on leadership. A student will need to earn 100 points from various levels of leadership responsibilities while attending Schreiner University.
Level 1: (35 points per position)
- SGA President
- Editor of the Reveille
- SAB President
- Greek Org President
Level 2: (30 points per position)
- RSO President – must be a recognized RSO – Honor Societies do not count
Level 3: (25 points per position)
- Team Captain – athletic or varsity team
- Leader or athlete of the month
- PML
- RA
- Ambassador
- Mentor
Level 4 (10 points per position)
- Any officer position of an RSO – Honor Societies do count here
The Schreiner Experience
The fourth coin of the series is based on your Schreiner Experience . This coin will be awarded to students who early earn all three Schreiner Experience certificates: Meaningful Work, Purposeful Lives and Changing Global Society.
Purposeful Lives Certificate Requirements:
- Service Learning Course (or trip)
- 25 hours of service for every year in attendance at Schreiner University
- Public Dissemination of learning from ANY service experience
- Reflection Sessions or Written Reflection
Meaningful Work Certificate Requirements:
- Career Roadmap Phase I: Profile and Credentials
- Career Roadmap Phase II: Events, Seminars, Workshops or Conferences
- Career Roadmap Phase III: Research and Analysis
- Career Roadmap Phase IV: Work and Internship Experience
Global Perspective Certificate Requirements:
- Study Abroad
- International or Multicultural Engagement
- Academic Requirement
Leave with Achievement
The fifth and last coin will be awarded upon the successful completion of a student’s baccalaureate degree as students “Leave with Achievement.”
Students earning the entire series of challenge coins, will receive the Challenge Coin Series Medallion to wear at graduation. To qualify for the Presidential Medallion students will need to submit the Presidential Medallion Form to the Dean of Students.
The submission deadline is March 15th for May graduation and October 15th for December graduation.
In addition, these students will be recognized for this outstanding accomplishment.
“The Order” was originally established in 1926 and currently serves as Schreiner’s traditions council. It is an elite group of 12 students—one for each member of Schreiner’s first graduating class—whose primary goal is to preserve and promote Schreiner’s rich history and traditions. The Order hosts events and spirit rallies throughout the year and aims to enrich each student’s Mountaineer experience. The Order embodies three foundational principles: pride, scholarship and teamwork.
The Origin of the Schreiner University Legacy Tartan
The Tartan is based upon thread count. Our thread count is W1 W9 K23 DR95 W1 W9 K23: Representing the 1923 of the founding of the university in white one of our school colors, and black and official accent color. The 95 Maroon count represents the 95th year of the founding of the university in which the tartan was passed. And we follow with 1923 again in white and black to represent the future reflection of our past 95 years of educational excellence.
