MACON, Ga. (WALB) - On December 16, 1769, Jesse Mercer, the namesake of Mercer University, was born.

Mercer is an icon in Georgia history, best known for writing the part of the Georgia Constitution that guarantees religious liberty for Georgians.

Mercer was an ordained Baptist minister who helped found the Georgia Baptist Convention in 1822. He was also an advocate for education and helped establish Mercer University in 1833.

The first class at Mercer had 39 students. Today, the university has over 9,000 students with 12 schools and colleges.

Mercer boasts some 90,000 alumni, including WALB’s Karla Heath-Sands.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.