the first African-American student graduate. The political and social climate of the 1960s had a great effect on the college throughout the decade. During the era the student government's power increased and new organizations were created on campus. A number of special events were held on campus, including memorial services for both the John F. Kennedy assassination and Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Earth Day was observed for the first time. In 1973 Shorter College celebrated its 100th anniversary through special activities and traditions. In 1948, admission was opened to boys and the school was renamed Shorter College. Further expansion, attempted break with Georgia Baptist Convention International programs began in the 1990s and the university expanded MBA programs and adult education programs with the establishment of the School of Professional Programs in the Atlanta area. The university dedicated the Winthrop-King Centre and created the Fitton Student Union when it converted the old gym into the facility. Shorter College constructed the Bass Apartments, the J. Robert Eubanks Welcome Center and the Robert H. Ledbetter baseball field. In 2005, the college attempted to break away from the Georgia Baptist Convention. The Georgia Supreme Court, however, ruled that Shorter's board didn't have the authority to sever ties with the convention. On June 1, 2010, Shorter College changed its name to Shorter University to reflect the institution's growth and expansion. In December 2012 SACSCOC reaffirmed Shorter University's accreditation through 2022. Personal lifestyle statement In October 2011, the university introduced a requirement that its employees sign a "Statement of Faith" and a "Personal Lifestyle Statement" in which they agree to adhere to the following principles: loyal to the mission of Shorter University as a "Christ-centered" institution affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention. not engage in the use, sale, possession, or production of illegal drugs. reject as unacceptable all sexual activity not in agreement with the Bible, including, but not limited to, premarital sex, adultery, and homosexuality. not use alcoholic beverages in the presence of students, and abstain from serving, from using, and from advocating the use of alcoholic beverages in public and in settings in which students are present or are likely to be present. The introduction of the lifestyle statement caused a sizable departure of university employees. An anonymous survey found that only 10 percent of faculty members favored signing the pledge and that only 12 percent planned to stay at the