Drury University Prepares to Celebrate 150th Anniversary

Drury University in Springfield, MO is preparing to celebrate the sesquicentennial of its founding in 1873.

The institution was initially founded as Springfield College. The name changed to Drury College within six months following gift of $25,000 from S.F. Drury of Olivet, Michigan. Drury absorbed Iberia Junior College in 1951 and changed its name to Drury University in 2000. Drury has an historical affiliation with the United Church of Christ. 

Olivet College Changes Name

 Trustees of Olivet College in Olivet, MI approved a name change to The University of Olivet.

Olivet is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and was founded in 1844. The name was changed briefly to Olivet Institute in 1847 and back to Olivet College in 1859.

You can read more about Olivet's history or find links to the Hosford History Center & Lawrence Archives.

Elmhurst University: Celebrating 150th Anniversary

Elmhurst University is celebrating the sesquicentennial of its founding in 1871 during the current academic year. You can visit the Elmhurst 150th web page for links to information about remaining events and other resources. 

The About Elmhurst's Sesquicentennial page offers a number of interesting videos including a gallery talk by Dan Bartlett, curator of the Elmhurst History Museum, "An Ever-widening Circle: Elmhurst U at 150."

The Elmhurst History Museum page includes links to their exhibit celebrating Elmhurst University at 150 Years and their new mobile app Tour of Elmhurst University Campus...a walking tour around Elmhurst.

Piedmont College Announces Name Change

Piedmont College in Demerest, Georgia announced that it will be changing its name to Piedmont University in 2021.

The institution was founded as J. and S. Green Collegiate Institute in 1897. The name changed in 1899 to J.S. Green College. While it initially looked to Methodist Churches for support, after 1901 support was received support from American Missionary Board of the Congregational Church. Piedmont College was adopted as the name in 1903. You can read more about institutional history by visiting the "History of Piedmont College" page.

Read more about the name change in "Piedmont College to be named Piedmont University in 2021," published by the Athens Banner-Herald on June 23, 2020 with reporting by Lee Shearer.

Elmhurst College will Change Name

Elmhurst College became Elmhurst University on June 30, 2020.

The institution was founded as Elmhurst Pro-Seminary and Academy in 1871 and was initially affiliated with the German Evangelical Synod of the Northwest that later became part of the United Church of Christ. The name was changed to Elmhurst Academy and Junior College in 1919, and to Elmhurst College in 1924. It is located in Elmhurst, IL and enrolls 3,841 students. Of these, 2,875 are undergraduates.

You can also read more about the name change in a WBEZ post with reporting by Kate McGee, "As Colleges Close, Elmhurst College Grows And Rebrands As A University."

Olivet College Prepares for Terquasquicentennial in 2019

Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan is preparing for the 175th anniversary of its founding in 1844. The web page devoted to the terquasquicentennial includes links to a letter of welcome, a timeline, a short video, and other related resources.  A year-long celebration will begin on February 24, 2019.

You can also visit an "Our History" page for a brief historical sketch of the institution.

The Detroit Free Press also published "Michigan's 1st coed college, Olivet, founded in 1844" in 2015 on the eve of the college anniversary with reporting by Ziati Meyer.

Video History of Mills Library at Rollins College

I love this wonderful 3:00 minute video history of Mills Library at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.  The video provides a brief overview for the changing role of a library on campus and includes an audio segment with President Eisenhower congratulating the college after the library opened.

Feel free to post links to similar videos for colleges with which you are familiar in the comment section below!

Fisk University History is Featured on All Things Considered

The history of Fisk University in Nashville was featured in an interesting 4 minute segment, "Fisk University Works to Move Past Cash-Strapped History," on All Things Considered in early January.  The institution was founded in 1866 and is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

You can also visit the Fisk University website for a page that offers brief historical sketches and a number of interesting images of the campus and students.

Fisk University's 150th Anniversary

Crystal A. deGregory authored an interesting historical sketch for The Tennessean coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the founding of Fisk University on January 6th.

You can also find historical images, a timeline, and lists of famous alumni and faculty on the institution's web site.  There are also photographs and print materials from Fisk as part of the HBCU Library Alliance's digital collection Celebrating the Founding of the Historically Black College and University.

Andover Newton Theological School plans to sell campus and merge

The Boston Globe reported on November 12, 2015 that the Andover Newton Theological School is planning to sell campus property and seek a merger or consolidation with another institution.  Andover Theological Seminary was founded in 1807 and was closely associated with New England Congregationalism.  Newton Theological Institution was a Baptist seminary founded in 1825.  The two institutions merged in 1965.  Andover Newton currently offers Master of Divinity, Master of Arts and Doctor of Ministry degrees.  

Doane College will change name to Doane University

Doane College in Crete, Nebraska will become Doane University in May of 2016.  Doane was founded in 1872 and is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

Piedmont College (GA) History

Excellent short video relates the history of Piedmont College in Demorest, GA.  

The institution was founded as J. and S. Green Collegiate Institute and the name changed in 1899 to J.S. Green College.  The community initially looked to Methodist Churches for support, but after 1901 was affiliated with the American Missionary Board of the Congregational Church.  The name of Piedmont College was adopted in 1903.

Grinnell College (IA)

Grinnell College, written by John S. Nollen and published by The State Historical Society of Iowa in 1953.  Nollen began his service at Grinnel in as a faculty member in modern languages in 1893.  He served as Dean of Faculty from 1920-1931 and then as president from 1931-1940.

The book is also available in a variety of formats through the Internet Archive.