Central Methodist University (formerly known as Central Methodist College) in Fayette, Missouri is an accredited four year institution of higher education. It offers masters, bachelors and associates degrees. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

History

The college was chartered by the Missouri General Assembly on March 15, 1855. It came about due largely to the diligent work of Nathan Scarritt and David Rice McAnally. Classes began on September 18, 1857 on a one acre campus with an enrollment of 114 students and a faculty of three. Samuel C. Major was the first graduate, in 1858. In about 100 years the school grew to a campus of 55 acres, enrollment of over 1,000 students and a faculty of 65.

Fight Song

In the late spring of 2006 Central Methodist University adopted an official fight song written by Andrew Glover, a 1983 alumnus of Central Methodist College, called Fighting Eagles. The previous unofficial fight song had been Hail, Victory and written by Central College alum and former drum major Robert Earl Stepp.

Presidents

• Rev. Nathan Scarritt, D.D., June 1857 - June 1858
• Rev. A. A. Morrison, D.D., June 1858 - March 1860
• Rev. C. W. Pritchett, LL.D., pro tem, March 1860 - June 1860
• Rev. W. A. Anderson, D.D., June 1860 - June 1861

The college was inoperative June 1861 - June 1868 due to the Civil War

• Rev. W. A. Smith, D.D., June 1868 - April 1870
• Prof. F. X. Forster, M.A., pro tem, April 1870 - August 1870
• Rev. J. C. Wills, D.D., August 1870 - February 1878

vacant February 1878 - April 1878 due to death of President Wills

• Rev. E. R. Hendrix, D.D., LL.D., April 1878 - June 1886
• O. H. P. Corprew, A.M., pro tem, June 1886 - June 1888
• Rev. J. D. Hammond, D.D., June 1888 - June 1896
• Tyson S. Dines, A.M., June 1896 - June 1897
• E. B. Craighead, A.M., LL.D., June 1897 - June 1901
• T. Berry Smith, A.M., LL.D., acting, June 1901 - June 1903
• Rev. James C. Morris, D.D., June 1903 - June 1907
• William A. Webb, A.B., Litt. D., June 1907 - July 1913
• Rev. Paul H. Linn, A.M., LL.B., D.D., July 1913 - February 1924
• E. P. Puckett, A.M., LL.D., pro tem, February 1924 - July 1924
• Bishop W. F. McMurry, D.D., LL.D., July 1924 - September 1930
• Robert H. Ruff, A.M., B.D., D.D., LL.D., September 1930 - May 1942
• Rev. Harry S. DeVore, B.D., D.D., June 1942 - October 1947
• E. P. Puckett, A.M., LL.D., acting, November 1947 - May 1950
• Rev. Ralph L. Woodward, A.M., B.D., D.D., L.H.D., June 1950 - August 1970
• Rev. Harold P. Hamilton, B.A., B.D., Ph.D., L.H.D, August 1970 - August 1976
• Thomas R. Feld, Ph.D., acting, August 1976 - August 1977
• Joe A. Howell, Ed. D., August 1977 - July 1995
• Marianne E. Inman, B.A., A.M., Ph.D., July 1995 - present

Campus

Central Methodist's main campus is in Fayette, Missouri. Notable features include Linn Memorial United Methodist Church, the Swinney Conservatory, Brannock Hall, Little Theater, and the Quadrangle (aka "The Quad"). The college also has the Morrison Observatory next to the president's home across the street from a city park. On campus cultural attractions include the Ashby-Hodge Gallery of Modern Art, The Stephens Museum, and productions hosted in the Little Theater or on the Quad. The college also offers programs in the Missouri communities of Columbia, Park Hills, Sedalia, St. Louis, Union and Trenton. The 2004 film Killer Diller was filmed here, as well as various locations owned by the university.

Academic programs

Central Methodist offers studies and degree programs in many areas of the liberal arts, as well as the sciences and education.

Currently CMU offers Bachelor's degrees in:

Accounting, Athletic Training, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Education, English, Environmental Science, History, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Music, Music Education, Nursing, Philosophy, Physical Education, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Recreation Management, Religion, Sociology, Spanish, and Theatre Arts.

CMU also offers Cooperative Programs in: Pre-Law, Pre-Med, Medical Technology, Pre-Ministry, Engineering, Military Science (Army, Air Force ROTC), Public Health, Osteopathic Medicine, and Physical Therapy.

Master's programs include: Master of Education,Master of Science in Clinical Counseling, and Master of Science in Nursing

Athletics

Central Methodist competes in the Heart of America conference. The school's teams are called the Eagles. Teams compete in football, basketball (men's and women's), baseball, soccer (men's and women's), cross country, track and field, softball, and volleyball. Central Methodist also has cheerleading squads.

In the 1970s Central Methodist had a rugby team that enjoyed some national success. Roger B. Wilson, who later became Governor of Missouri, was a member of Central Methodist's rugby teams in the early 1970s. In that time Central Methodist regularly beat opponents such as the University of Missouri and posted the most lopsided victory in the history of sactioned American rugby to that time (77-0 over St. Louis University). In 1973 Central Methodist won a regional rugby tournament by defeating the University of Missouri 32-4 in the championship game. Central Methodist then entered the national championship tournament, defeating the University of Notre Dame 24-10 and the University of Michigan 29-4 to reach the national semifinals. Central Methodist lost its semifinal match to the University of Illinois 13-3 but won the consolation match to finish third in the nation.

External links

• Central Methodist University