Union College has served the Southern Appalachian
region for over 140 years. The college was founded a
mere 14 years after the end of the Civil War - in 1879
- a time when simple survival, not higher education,
was the top priority. But the citizens of Barbourville, a
town of just 450 souls and 3 brick buildings, believed
establishing a college for their children was essential.
Since then, we have made it our mission to provide
students with a collegiate experience to ensure
lifelong success.