Mississippi College - Tribesman Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

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HISTORICAL STATEMENT Mississippi College was chartered as Hampstead Academy in 1826 by the Mississippi Legislature. In 1827 upon petition by the Board of Trustees the name was changed to Mississippi Academy and in 1830 to Mississippi College. In this same act the state legislature granted to Mississippi College the right to “confer such degrees in the arts, sciences, and languages as is usually conferred in the most respectable colleges in the United States.” The college was first coeducational. The first graduation class in 1833 was composed of nine young women. The female deparment was discontinued and in 1853 Central Female Institute (later renamed Hillman College) was established in Clinton. The college became coeducational again in 1942 when Hillman College was purchased and absorbed by Mississippi College. In 1842 the Board of Trustees transferred the college to the Presbyterians of the state. The college prospered under its new status as a denominational institution for a time but financial difficulties were encountered and it was turned back to its original owners in 1850. The college has been owned and operated, through a Board of Trustees, by Mississippi Baptists since November 11, 1850 when the entire college was transferred to the Mississippi Baptist Convention. That same fall Mississippi College opened its first session under its new sponsorship. The construction of the Old Chapel was the result of the first Baptist sponsored endowment. With the coming of the Civil War, Mississippi College sent a company, the Mississippi College Rifles, to fight for the Southern cause. Only 8 of the 104 returned from the battlefields. The war years were a great strain on the resources of the college, but devoted friends kept the institution intact and prevented its burning by Sherman forces. Mississippi College also sent out the 104th Field Artillery and the college band along with many other volunteers upon the call of Woodrow Wilson. Again in 1939 when Hitler and his legions were threatening the peace and security of the world, students left their books and took up arms in defense of country and the principles for which she stands. So in war as in peaceful pursuits, Mississippi College has played a noble part for a century and a half. Into all the professions and vocations and callings her alumni have gone and brought to bear their Christian culture and idealism upon the vital issues that would make for a better world order and the enrichment of the whole life. WELCOM E 1975-76 SESSION Mississippi College FOUNDED 18 26 150 YEARS SERVICE TO GOD and MAN 125 YEARS BAPTIST LEADERSHIP %

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MC Rifles, 1896 President Nelson 1932-1957 Heritage doesn’t mean a thing if it’s not upheld. A retired long- time faculty member, when questioned about MC history, gave no meaningless statistical data about the school— she instead emphatically stated, more than once, “The people there now is the important thing.” 9

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i l jwt. ti , 4 „, i %„. ?f AgJf W ' . iSi .4 S,- ' 1 .. 4 -’’jX- ' t.. • ■ .fg;-, ■ • ;• ' ■ ' •. :• .. r £ 5® % If 3caiHSjM4 . Jt . if v S % w ' wam inK Ir I - 1 ■ ’ - f : ■£kHB 3 ‘- . v‘£ V. v. 5 .fL , J f iS Wi A ' ? • « r ‘ , , :. n s jr m 4 ? mk alma mater Fairest of All is our dear Mississippi, Rising in state as the crest of a hill; Staunch as a rock is our dear Alma Mater. Round her so noble our hopes ever live. I ggg t m J : 4L aVfffr.1 - ml — When in the future, our hearts may be yearning. For the bright scenes of our dear college youth, Back to thy portals our memories turning, Clear gleams thy beacon of virtue and truth. M.C. we hail thee, our dear Mississippi, Queeftiof our hearts, no foe shall alarm; Faithful and loyal thy children will ever Cherish thy mem’ry, acknowledge thy charm. - i«L ' I ' -ffl I ■ V- S7IM f Wr ■