William Woods University Prepares for Sesquicentennial

William Woods University in Fulton, MO is preparing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding as the Female Orphans School of the Christian Church in northwestern Missouri in 1870. The name changed when the institution relocated to Fulton. It was known as William Woods College after 1900 and in 1992 became William Woods University.

The Columbia Missourian published an interesting article January 14, 2020 by Tristen Rouse that weaves together institutional history and descriptions of upcoming sesquicentennial events planned for 2020, "William Woods University, once for Civil War daughters, celebrates 150th."

William Woods president Jahnae H. Barnett will join Mr. Jonathan Kemper, great-great grandson of the William Woods for a birthday party kick-ff on Friday, January 17, 2020, at Cutlip Auditorium on the campus. The sesquicentennial theme will be “The Woods at 150 Years: a 2020 Vision for the Future.” You can visit the university website for more details.

A previous College History Garden post featured In Faith and History: the story of William Woods College, an excellent institutional history written by Griffith A. Hamlin. The book was printed in 1965 as a private edition by The Bethany Press, St. Louis, MO. The post links to Abe Books where inexpensive used copies of the book can be purchased.