Austin Peay State University
Public university in Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.

Austin Peay State University
Former name
Austin Peay Normal School (1927–1943)
Austin Peay State College (1943–1967)
TypePublic university
Established1927; 99 years ago (1927)
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment$79.3 million[1]
PresidentMichael J. Licari[2]
Academic staff
550[3]
Administrative staff
629[4]
Students9,945[5]
Undergraduates8,587[5]
Postgraduates1,358[5]
Location
Clarksville
,
Tennessee
,
United States
CampusUrban, 182 acres (0.74 km2)
ColorsRed and white[6]
   
Sporting affiliations
MascotGovernors
Websitewww.apsu.edu

Austin Peay State University (APSU; /piː/) is a public university in Clarksville, Tennessee, United States. Standing on a site occupied by a succession of educational institutions since 1845, the precursor of the university was established in 1927 and named for then-sitting Governor Austin Peay, who is further honored with "Governors", the name of the university's athletic teams. Affiliated with the Tennessee Board of Regents, it is now governed by the Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees as of May 2017[update]. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and, in 2012, was the fastest-growing university in Tennessee.[7] In 2025, Austin Peay State University hit 11,185 registered students for the fall semester.[8]

The Browning Building at Austin Peay State University

History

Austin Peay Normal School, the precursor of the university, was established in 1927 and named for then-sitting Tennessee Governor Austin Peay. In 1943, its name was changed to Austin Peay State College. It became Austin Peay State University in 1967.

In 2025, APSU fired a professor of theatre for a social media post following the death of Charlie Kirk which consisted of a screenshot of a 2023 Newsweek headline quoting Kirk's prior views on deaths due to gun violence. The professor sued the university and was reinstated the next year with APSU also forced to pay him $500,000.[9][10]

Presidents

  • Philander Claxton, 1930–1946
  • Halbert Harvill, 1946–1962
  • Joe Morgan, 1963–1976
  • Sherry Hoppe, 2001–2007
  • Tim Hall, 2008–2013
  • Alisa White, 2014–2020[11]
  • Michael Licari, 2021–Present

Academics

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023[12]
Race and ethnicity Total
White 52%
 
Black 22%
 
Hispanic 11%
 
Two or more races 6%
 
Unknown 5%
 
Asian 2%
 
International student 1%
 
Economic diversity
Low-income[a] 52%
 
Affluent[b] 48%
 

Austin Peay is organized into six colleges, two schools, and 28 departments.[citation needed]

Campus

The university's campus in Clarksville, Tennessee, is a site occupied by a succession of educational institutions since 1845. The urban setting includes 182 acres (74 ha). Built before Austin Peay Normal School, the Castle Building was an impressive three-story brick structure that featured fretted battlements, towers, casement windows set in paneled wood.[13]

Athletics

The university's colors are red and white. Its athletics teams are called the Governors, in honor of Governor Austin Peay.[citation needed] The university is a member of the ASUN Conference and competes at the NCAA Division 1.[citation needed]

Notable alumni

Notes

  1. ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
  2. ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

References

  1. ^ "Candid. Austin Peay State University Foundation". Candid.com. November 10, 2025.
  2. ^ "APSU Board of Trustees names Dr. Michael Licari as University's 11th president". www.apsu.edu. December 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  3. ^ As of Fall 2009 semester. "Faculty By Gender, Tenure Status, and Ethnicity" (PDF). 2009 Faculty Data. Austin Peay State University Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  4. ^ As of Fall 2009 semester. "Total Employees By Employment Status, Gender, and Ethnicity" (PDF). 2009 Employees Data. Austin Peay State University Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. Retrieved December 3, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ a b c "College Navigator - Austin Peay State University". Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  6. ^ "APSU Governors Brand Identity" (PDF). May 30, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  7. ^ Green, Tavia. "Austin Peay State University continues growth, Nashville State opens doors". The Leaf Chronicle. Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. Retrieved December 28, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ Smith, Chris (September 8, 2025). "Austin Peay State University hits record-high 11,185 enrollment, defying national trends - ClarksvilleNow.com". Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  9. ^ Smith, Chris (September 13, 2025). "UPDATE: APSU fires professor over 'insensitive' social media post following shooting of Charlie Kirk - ClarksvilleNow.com". Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  10. ^ Smith, Chris (September 13, 2025). "UPDATE: APSU fires professor over 'insensitive' social media post following shooting of Charlie Kirk - ClarksvilleNow.com". Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  11. ^ Canning, Rob (January 3, 2014). "APSU's Tim Hall Accepts Presidency at Mercy College". wkms.org. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  12. ^ "College Scorecard: Austin Peay State University". College Scorecard. United States Department of Education. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  13. ^ "The Old Distinctive Castle Building Has Romantic And Varied History" (PDF). The All State. November 22, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved February 23, 2022.

https://www.apsu.edu/news/november-2023-govs-ice-hockey-1101.php

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