Tarsus American College

Tarsus American College (official Turkish name: Özel Tarsus Amerikan Lisesi, aka Tarsus Amerikan Lisesi) is a private coeducational high school located in Tarsus, province Mersin, Turkey.

The college was established in 1888 under the name "St. Paul's Institute at Tarsus" after an idea of US newspaper publisher Elliot Fitch Shepard to build an institution in dedication to "St. Paul" during his visit to Tarsus.

In the first years, the school had close contact with the American Board Foundation, a charity organization located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Alexander Mac Lachlan and presbyterian missionary Harutune Stephen Jenanyan (25 April 1858, Marash, Turkey-25 September 1907, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), a graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York City, served as the first school administrators until 1891, Thomas D. Christie from 1893 to 1920.

Regarding Burke Library alumni records of Union Theological Seminary, dates of Jenanyan's birth and death are given. In addition, the record credited him as founder of St. Paul's Institute.

Education was carried out in the school's first building "Shepard Hall". Mr. Vanderpool, a US citizen, made a large donation in memory of this mother for a much needed building. "Stickler Hall" is the tallest building in Tarsus with its five stories. Since its construction in 1911 it has been the symbol of Tarsus American College.

The school was called both "St. Paul's Institute at Tarsus" and "Tarsus American College" between 1911 and 1928, and from 1930 on, the name is solely Tarsus American College.

Coeducation started in 1979 with 35 girls joining the student body of 506 boys. In 1986, the school graduates its first coed alumni. The same year, the boarding section, available from the preparatory class, was closed until its reopening for boys in 2002.

Notable faculty

*Paul Nilson and Harriet (Fisher) Nilson [ [http://www.birtugladasenkoy.com/linkler/nilson.htm Paul And Harriet ] ]

Notable alumni

* Mete Akyol, journalist
* Ayşe Arman, female columnist
* Mustafa Aysan, economist and columnist
* Cengiz Çandar (1948), journalist
* Mehmet Emin Karamehmet, businessman
* Muhtar Kent, President and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company
* Mehmet Sabancı (1963-2004), businessman
* Ömer Sabancı, businessman
* Özdemir Sabancı (1941-1996), businessman
* Demir Sabancı, businessman
* Şevket Sabancı, businessman
* İstemihan Talay, politician and former minister
* Demir Sabancı, son of Özdemir Sabancı, entrepreneur
* Tibet Ağırcan, member of the band Mavi Sakal
* Kaan Altan, member of the band Mavi Sakal
* Murat Tümer, member of the band Mavi Sakal
* Mert Burian, author
* Oral Çalışlar, journalist, author.
* Muhteşem Ekenler, businessman
* Necati Güler, retired basketball player, retired captain of the Turkish National Basketball Team
* Uluç Gürkan, politician and former MP, author
* Burhan Karaçam, banker and entrepreneur
* Ömer Ural Kükner, journalist
* Reşit Ömer Kükner, journalist
* Ayhan Sicimoğlu, musician
* Cihangir Sonat, retired basketball player
* Olcayto Ahmet Tuğsuz, columnist

See also

* Robert College in İstanbul (1863)
* List of missionary schools in Turkey
* List of high schools in Turkey

References

External links

* [http://www.tac.k12.tr/ Official Website Tarsus American College]
* [http://www.birtugladasenkoy.com/ Official Tarsus American College Endowment Fund]
* [http://www.tac-alumni.org/ Official Tarsus American College Alumni Website]
* [http://www.tac98.com/ Class of 98 Website]
* [http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/P1282.html Christie papers: Minnesota Historical Society]