Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University)Student Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University). Free for students.

Private Non-Profit Liberal Arts College in Waxahachie, TX. Operating on a semester system.

Looking for dorms? Scroll for the dorm and housing breakdown below.

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1K+

Total Enrollment

Liberal Arts College

Institution Type

7

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall Semester 2026

The semester, explained for Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University)

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall Semester 2026
Campus terms
16
Local details
15

Academic calendar

Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 11, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

9 entries
  1. Fall Semester 2026Relevant now
  2. Fall 2026 First Eight-Week Session
  3. Fall 2026 Second Eight-Week Session
  4. Spring Semester 2027
  5. Spring 2027 First Eight-Week Session
  6. Spring 2027 Second Eight-Week Session
  7. Summer Semester 2027
  8. Summer 2027 First Eight-Week Session
  9. Summer 2027 Second Eight-Week Session

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

16 terms

B

Bridges
Bridges Hall, a primary residence hall for students.

C

Chapel
The mandatory spiritual services held regularly that students are required to attend.
Claxton
Claxton Hall, a men's residence hall.
Collins
Collins Hall, a residence hall for students.

D

D-Groups
Discipleship Groups, small student-led spiritual growth and accountability groups.

K

Kendrick
Kendrick Hall, a women's residence hall.

R

Ring by Spring
The common Christian college phenomenon of students seeking engagement before their spring graduation.

S

SAGU
The former name of the school (Southwestern Assemblies of God University), still frequently used by students and alumni.
Savell
Savell Hall, a residence hall on campus.
Sheaffer
The main dining hall located within the Sheaffer Full Life Center.
SMA
Student Missions Association, a student-led organization focused on global missions.
STUCO
Student Council, the representative body for the student population.

T

Teeter
Teeter Hall, a residence hall for students.
The Bubble
A term used by students to describe the insular, faith-focused environment of the campus.
The Caf
General shorthand for the main dining hall in the Sheaffer Center.
The Den
The Lion's Den, the campus snack bar and coffee shop located in the Barnes Student Center.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

15 details
Chapel Credits
The mandatory attendance record students must maintain to meet graduation and enrollment requirements.
chick_fil_a_express
Chick-fil-A Express
einstein_bros_bagels
Einstein Bros Bagels
Late Start
A delay in the start of classes, typically due to inclement weather or special campus events.
Lion Card
The official student ID card used for meal plans, building access, and library services.
lions_den
Lions Den
Marrison-Hardcastle
The Marrison-Hardcastle Science Center, housing science labs and classrooms.
MySAGU
The legacy name for the student portal used for registration, grades, and financial information.
nelson_corner_market
Nelson Corner Market
Sheaffer
The Sheaffer Full Life Center, which includes the gymnasium and dining facilities.
The Barnes
The Barnes Student Center, the hub for student activities and the bookstore.
The Farmer
The Farmer Administration Building, housing administrative offices and classrooms.
The Hagee
The Hagee Communication Center, home to digital media, film, and communication programs.
The Sycamore
The Sycamore building, used for various academic and administrative purposes.
the_dining_hall_sheaffer_full_life_center
The Dining Hall (Sheaffer Full Life Center)

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall Semester 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 11, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
16 approved campus terms and 15 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University)

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What we’ll email you about

  • Aug 15

    Submit immunization records

    Required · source

  • Aug 21

    New Student Move-In Day

    Required · source

  • Aug 21

    Welcome Week (Orientation) Begins

    Required · source

  • Aug 24

    Final Official Transcripts Due

    Required · source

  • Aug 24

    Fall Tuition Payment Deadline

    Required · source

One email per real deadline. Source link cited every time. We re-check 7 days before each one fires.

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Assisted

Find a few communities to try at Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University)

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

25 mapped items from 19 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Chapel Services

A central part of the university's spiritual life, with required chapel services held multiple times a week for the student body.

Regular commitment

Source: nelson.edu · Verified 27 days ago

Resident Assistant (RA)

Student leaders who live in residence halls to build community, provide support, and enforce university policies.

Regular commitment

Source: nelson.edu · Verified 27 days ago

Campus Activities Board (CAB)

A student-led organization responsible for planning and executing a wide variety of campus events.

Source: nelson.edu · Verified 27 days ago

Easy to try first

Welcome Week

A series of events at the beginning of the fall semester to welcome new and returning students to campus.

Drop in any time

Source: nelson.edu · Verified 27 days ago

Intramural Basketball

Recreational basketball leagues for students to compete against their peers.

Drop in any time

Source: nelson.edu · Verified 27 days ago

Campus rituals

Homecoming

An annual tradition in the fall that brings together students, alumni, and the community to celebrate the university with events, a parade, and athletic games.

Drop in any time

Source: nelson.edu · Verified 27 days ago

Resources & spaces

Career Development

Offers career counseling, resume building, mock interviews, and job search assistance to students and alumni.

Drop in any time

Counseling Services

Provides confidential personal counseling, mental health resources, and wellness programming for students.

Drop in any time

Office of Spiritual Life

Organizes chapel services, mission trips, and provides pastoral care and spiritual guidance to students.

Drop in any time

Source: nelson.edu · Verified 27 days ago

Learn More

The Learning Center

Offers academic support services including tutoring, writing assistance, and study skills workshops.

Drop in any time

Source: nelson.edu · Verified 27 days ago

Learn More

Using DormWay at Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University)

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Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University) on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

5

Active Students

11

Syllabi Analyzed

11

Courses on DormWay

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Popular Courses

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BIB 5313BIB 5453Bible StudyHistory and Systems of PsychologyHuman AnatomyHUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I LABPTH 5323 530SCREENSHOT-2026-08

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Life in Waxahachie for Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University) Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Waxahachie.

Timezone

Central Time (CT)

Median Rent

$1,500

Cost of Living Index

96

Student Population

8,500

City Transportation

Walkability

55

Bikeability

45

Public Transit

Ellis County local demand-response transit, Regional connections to Dallas-area transit via park-and-ride

Nearest Airports

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (regional), Dallas Love Field (regional), Mid-Way Regional Airport (local general aviation)

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid subtropical

Avg Annual Temp

66.5°F

Avg Snowfall

2 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Designated Campus Lots

surface_lot

Permits are issued during registration; proof of license, insurance, and registration is required.

Campus News

Latest updates from Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University)

Nelson University Church Expo Connects Students with Local Churches

Nelson University hosted its annual Church Expo, bringing over 30 local churches to campus to connect with students during Spiritual Saturation Week.

Sep 4, 2026

Read More

Nelson University's Spiritual Saturation Week Continues to Impact Students

The university held its annual Spiritual Saturation Week from Aug. 26–28, featuring guest speakers and worship gatherings to build a spiritual foundation for the semester.

Sep 1, 2026

Read More

Judah's Outfitters Grand Re-Opening: Nelson University's Campus Store Has a Bold New Look

The campus store, Judah's Outfitters, celebrated its grand re-opening with a renovated design and new merchandise.

Aug 26, 2026

Read More

Notice of Data Security Incident: Nelson University identified unauthorized access to its network occurring between March 21 and April 6, 2025. Impacted individuals were notified starting May 26, 2026.

Notice of Data Security Incident: Nelson University identified unauthorized access to its network occurring between March 21 and April 6, 2025. Impacted individuals were notified starting May 26, 2026.

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University)

Faith Driven Entrepreneur Conference

September 18, 2026

HCC Performance Hall

A conference focused on faith, leadership, and purpose featuring speakers like John Maxwell and David Green.

Adult Mental Health First Aid

September 25, 2026

Sycamore Place, Waxahachie, TX

A training session on adult mental health first aid sponsored by NTBHA and Nelson University.

University Friday (Campus Visit)

October 2, 2026

1200 Sycamore St, Waxahachie, TX

A campus visit event for juniors and seniors to attend class, experience chapel, and tour the campus.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Nelson University (formerly Southwestern Assemblies of God University)

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

7 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.

Bridges Hall

Capacity: 220

Collins Hall

Capacity: 130

Room types: community

Guynes Hall

Capacity: 130

Room types: double (sharing bathroom)

Kendrick Hall

Capacity: 25

Room types: suite, private

Savell Hall

Capacity: 150

Room types: community

Teeter/Bridges

Capacity: 220

Room types: suite

Teeter Hall

Capacity: 220

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Private Non-Profit

Email Domain

@nelsonuformerlysouth.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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