Central Methodist University: A Legacy of Education and Tradition

Central Methodist University (CMU), located in Fayette, Missouri, stands as a testament to the enduring power of education and the rich heritage of the United Methodist Church. Formerly known as Central Methodist College and Central College, CMU has a long and storied history, marked by academic excellence, a commitment to social responsibility, and a deep-rooted connection to its community.

Historical Roots and Formation

Fayette has long been an area of education. The first school appeared in 1823 followed by the Fayette Academy in 1825. The seeds of Central Methodist University were sown in the mid-19th century, a period of significant growth and change in the United States. The story begins with Howard College, approved by the Fayette community in 1835, which floundered after Fayette's bid to be the location of the University of Missouri was passed up in favor of Columbia for monetary reasons. After it was sold, the Howard College building was deeded to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1847 by Capt. William Swinney.

Central Methodist University was founded on April 13-14, 1853, by the Revs. Nathan Scarritt and David Rice McAnally. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, acquired the campus of the defunct Howard College in 1847. Initially founded as Howard High School, the Howard Female College and Central College were subsequently formed. The college was officially chartered by the Missouri General Assembly on March 15, 1855, thanks to the diligent efforts of Scarritt and McAnally. Classes commenced on September 18, 1857, on a 1-acre (0.405 ha) campus, with an initial enrollment of 114 students and a faculty of three. Samuel C. Major became the first graduate in 1858.

Growth and Transformation

In about 100 years the school grew to a campus of 55 acres (22.3 ha), enrollment of over 1,000 students and a faculty of 65. Central College was to be the only Methodist Episcopal Church South supported college in the state of Missouri and efforts to unify the educational interests of the church led to the absorption of Howard-Payne College by Central College in 1922. This merger was quickly followed by the concentration of all educational interests of the church in Missouri. In 1939, with the merger of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the Methodist Protestant Church, Central College was designated as the one undergraduate educational institution in Missouri for what later became the United Methodist Church.

In 1961, the Board of Curators changed the College's name from Central to Central Methodist College. In 1989, Central Methodist College, in cooperation with Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Missouri, began baccalaureate degree completion programs which afford opportunities for citizens of that region, who have completed their AA degree (or who have 60 hours of college credit), to earn a bachelor's degree. In 1994, Central Methodist College, in cooperation with East Central College in Union, Missouri, began baccalaureate degree completion programs at ECC so that citizens of that region could earn a bachelor's degree. In 1996 the College began offering the Master of Education degree on all three campuses. Since that time, CMU has established partnerships with Crowder College, Jefferson College, Linn State Technical College, Metropolitan Community College-KC, Moberly Area Community College, North Central Missouri College, Ozarks Technical Community College, St. Charles Community College, St. Louis Community College, State Fair Community College (SFCC), Three Rivers College (TRC), and other corporate partners. In May 2004, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the institution to Central Methodist University. This name change recognized the growth in graduate and extended studies programs and more appropriately describes the Central Methodist University of the 21st century.

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Civil War Era

The echoes of the Civil War resonate deeply within the history of Central Methodist University. The battle occurred on September 24, 1864, when two bands of Southern sympathizers attacked the Union troops stationed in Fayette; it ranged across the town to end on what is now the college's campus. The guerrillas were led by William "Bloody Bill" Anderson and George Todd, and included among their number were Frank and Jesse James, of outlaw fame.

Only 75 members of the large guerrilla party charged the barricaded troops. Though Anderson and Todd lived on to terrorize Union troops across the state before their deaths, the ill-conceived attack had deadly consequences: after three charges, thirteen of Anderson's men were dead and another 30 were wounded. In later years, Frank James said that the Fayette fight made him "the worst scared I ever was during the war." In his brief description of the fight, he said, "We charged up to a blockhouse made of railroad ties filled with portholes and then charged back again. Rev. A. A. Rev. C. W. Rev. W. A. Closed the college down due to the Civil War. Rev. W. A. Prof. F. X. Rev. J. C. Died while serving as president of the college. Rev. E. R. O. H. P. Rev. J. D. Tyson S. E. B. T. Rev. James C. William A. Webb, A.B., Litt. Rev. Paul H. E. P. Bishop W. F. Robert H. Rev. Harry S. E. P. Rev. Ralph L. Rev. Harold P. Thomas R. Joe A. Howell, Ed. Marianne E.

A Proud Campus

Central Methodist's main campus is in Fayette, Missouri. Notable features include Linn Memorial United Methodist Church, Swinney Conservatory, Brannock Hall, Little Theatre, Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, and Quadrangle (aka "The Quad"). The college also has the Morrison Observatory next to the president's home across the street from the Fayette city park. On-campus cultural attractions include the Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art, Stephens Museum, concerts presented by the Swinney Conservatory of Music, and productions hosted in the Little Theatre or on the Quad. The Central Methodist College Campus Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and encompasses 11 contributing buildings.

Historic Buildings

Classic Hall: Built in 1911, it was considered the great learning center on campus. It was originally constructed to help keep Howard Payne College a self-contained college for women. This allowed Howard Payne to become strictly a dormitory. Classic Hall was used to house classrooms, performances, and a women's literary society. In 1981, it was shut down due to declining enrollment and a weakening structure.
Howard-Payne Hall: Constructed in 1852 (with additions in 1889 and 1921), it began as a boarding house for women, established by William T. Lucky and Nathan Scarritt. The north wing was added from the burnt bricks that used to be Howard High School. The north wing was used to house classrooms. In 1859, Howard High School was chartered into Howard College. Eventually Central bought Howard College and it became a female dorm. Howard Payne Hall was closed for several years due to the use of soft bricks during its construction.
Givens Hall: The oldest structure on the CMU campus, built in 1848-50. In 1903 it was used as a resident building for Howard Payne College presidents. In 1928 it was turned into a residence hall for Howard Payne female faculty. Givens has served the campus in many different ways. one way being that it was used in World War II as the Navy sick bay, and has also been used as a residence building for female students.
Brannock Hall: Rice H. Brannock Hall was built in 1856. It stood through the Civil War and functioned as Fayette's weather center. Brannock sat empty from 1911 to 1914. It was then remolded into a boys' dormitory.
Cupples Hall: Built in 1896 by Samuel Cupples as a dormitory for men. In 1927 Cupples became a library to house the George M. Smiley collection.
Clingenpeel Physical Education Building: This building was built to replace the old wooden gym in 1906. During this time it was affectionately known as the "Cracker Box" because it was so small that the supporters had to view the game from the balcony. It was named in 1912 after Coach C. A. Clingenpeel. Clingenpeel was remodeled to house a women's gymnasium.
T. Berry Smith Hall: T. T. Berry Smith Hall was built from 1894 to 1895. It was designed in an Italianate fashion. At the beginning of the building's history all the departments of college. The Aristotelian and the Phi Alpha Literary Societies used to meet in this building. The room they met in has now been split into classrooms, but the stained glass panels still hang outside the classrooms. In 1928, T-Berry Smith Hall became the science hall on campus, and all other classes were moved out. In 1964 the science and math classes were moved to Stedman, and T. Berry was given its name after Central's chemistry professor and president. T. Berry Smith Hall now houses the social science, education, religion, and philosophy department.
Swinney Conservatory of Music: Was built in 1926-27 and is attached to Linn Memorial. The money donated to build the conservatory came from Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Swinney, in 1922. It was originally built for Howard Payne College but was built on Central. It eventually was taken over by Central and became part of the campus.
Paul H. Linn Memorial Methodist Church and Cross Memorial Tower: Built in 1929-1931.
McMurry Hall: McMurry Hall was constructed during the 1920s. It was named after Bishop W. F. McMurry and was designed to look like an English manor house. It was built to serve as a dormitory for men, but in 1943-45 it served as barracks for the V-12 program located at Central Methodist. It was completely renovated in 2002.
Puckett Field House: Puckett Field House was constructed from 1948 to 1949. It was dedicated in 1953 to E.P. Puckett who had always believed that CMU needed a proper athletic facility.
Holt Hall: Holt Hall was the first modern structure on campus. It was considered so modern because it had an elevator in the building. It was constructed in 1957 and was named after Ivan Lee Holt, Bishop of Missouri and Central Curator. Holt Hall used to house the dining hall for the campus; it was remodeled in 1983 and was named Mabee Dining Hall. The dining hall moved to the Student and Community Center in 2005.
Burford Hall: Burford Hall was built from 1959 to 1960. It was named after Cyrus Burford, an alumnus of Central and a longtime member of the board of curators.
Stedman Hall: Stedman Hall was built in 1962. The money for the building was donated by Samuel Stedman, a Central alumnus of 1935. He became a financial success on Wall Street. He had always intended to donate money to Central to build a new science building. However, he refused to have the building named after him.
Woodward Hall: Woodward was the last male dorm built on campus and was built in 1964. The building was named after Rev. Ralph L.
Little Theater: The Little Theatre was constructed in 1969 by the John Epple family.
President's Residence: The president's residence is located next to the Morrison Observatory. It was built in 1971 at the request of the president at that time, Harold Hamilton.
Philips Recreation Center: Philips Recreation Center was built in 1981 at the base of Puckett Field House. It consists of two indoor tennis courts, two racquetball courts, and the E.E.
Thogmorton Center for Allied Health: The Thogmorton Center for Allied Health opened for classes in August 2015.

Academics and Programs

Founded in 1854, Central Methodist University is a four-year, private, liberal arts university. CMU is accredited to offer master's, bachelors, and associate degrees. CMU's main campus, home to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), is located in Fayette, Missouri, enrolling 1,100 students. More than 4,000 students attend CMU's College of Graduate and Extended Studies (CGES), which offers classes online and at sites across Missouri and the region. The university also has several regional locations for continuing and graduate education programs in the Missouri communities of Clinton, Columbia, Dexter, Lake of the Ozarks, Linn, Macon (2010), Neosho, Park Hills, Poplar Bluff, Sedalia, St.

Admission to CMU is selective. Our admission staff carefully reviews and evaluates each application on an individual basis. Students who study history learn to research, interpret, and explain events of the past while studying historical documents, compiling and recording data, and communicating ideas and explanations. Opportunities are endless when you’re a History major at CMU, as you will receive the preparation you need for an array of careers.

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Campus Life and Traditions

The home campus of Central Methodist University is located in historic Fayette, MO, midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, a region of exceptional natural beauty. The ninety-four acre campus is distinguished by its majestic shade and ornamental trees and is designated a National Historic District. The Central Methodist University community, consistent with its United Methodist heritage, strives for academic excellence, individual achievement, and social responsibility. Civility is upholding the values of respect, kindness, and diplomacy in our direct and indirect interactions with others.

Athletics

The Central Methodist athletic teams are called the Eagles. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) since the 1991-92 academic year; which they were a member on a previous stint from 1971-72 to 1985-86. 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. C. Douglas A. Samuel C. Claude T. Roger B. Keith E. ^ center, member. "Member Center". Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. and Canadian 2024 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2024 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY23 to FY24, and FY24 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student" (XLSX). National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). February 12, 2025. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025.

Core Values

Central Methodist University is known for its high quality undergraduate and graduate educational programs, its values-centered learning experiences and longstanding church relationship, its strong liberal arts tradition, its emphasis on character and leadership development, and the success of its graduates through their further educational and professional pursuits. Central Methodist University affirms its Wesleyan heritage and its unique place as the only United Methodist-related University in Missouri. The location of its main campus in a small, historic, rural community provides an opportunity for students to live and to learn in a safe setting. The University values its strong liberal arts, providing a foundation for excellent professional programs. CMU and its out-reach activities foster an environment in which a diverse student body can develop intellectually, socially, and spiritually. University life emphasizes honesty, integrity, civility, and a strong sense of personal responsibility as integral elements of character and leadership.

A Methodist Heritage

"Unite the pair so long disjoined, knowledge and vital piety." These words from Charles Wesley provide the basis for (United) Methodism's involvement in higher education. John Wesley, Charles' older brother and the founder of Methodism, was the catalyst for uniting religious studies with the traditional liberal arts since John and Charles had grown up in an environment that stressed both religious and traditional educational formation. To love God with one's mind implies an intellectual love of God. It has always been the nature of the church to express itself through this form of love and worship of God. It is from this understanding that the Methodist Church launched its involvement in higher education on December 24, 1784, at the Christmas Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

The newly formed Methodist Church passed a resolution authorizing the establishment of Cokesbury College in Abingdon, Maryland. This event marked the beginning of a commitment to higher education by the church that has continued for over 200 years. Since that time more than 1,500 academies, colleges, and universities have been established by the (United) Methodist Church. In those years some have closed, some have merged with other colleges, and some have become state-supported institutions. On April 13, 1853, Central Methodist University was founded by Nathan Scarritt and David Rice McAnally. The University was chartered on March 15, 1855, and the first classes were held September 18, 1857, with one building on one acre of ground, 144 students, and 3 faculty members. In what was to become a prophetic statement, Nathan Scarritt said, "Let our motto be, One Methodist College in Missouri, and Only One." Over the years eight other Methodist colleges and over 100 other schools were established in Missouri. Today the words of Scarritt have come to fruition.

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Throughout two centuries of church-related higher education, our "Wesleyan tradition has endeavored to avoid narrow sectarianism" (A College-Related Church by the National Commission on United Methodist Higher Education). That is, United Methodist institutions are committed to values-centered inquiry, critical thinking, and a liberal arts curriculum. The (United) Methodist Church has stressed five major concepts that have been the basis for the church to continue its support and involvement in higher education. Liberal and classical learning is critical, as well as professional and vocational training. Today there are new issues and challenges facing all levels of education. The over 200-year tradition of the United Methodist Church and what it believes vital in education continue to inform the current policy of church-related higher education. The United Methodist Church is involved in higher education because it is the nature of the church to express itself in the intellectual love of God. The Wesleyan heritage has supported the ideal of uniting knowledge and vital piety within a diverse community from the beginning.

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