Rust
College.
located in Holly Springs, was established in 1866 by the Freedman's Aid Society
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The founders were missionaries from the
North
who opened
a school in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, where Moses Adams, a local Negro
preacher was pastor. The school accepted adults of all ages, as well as children,
for instruction in elementary subjects. A year later the first building on
the present campus was erected. In 1870, the school was chartered as Shaw University,
honoring the Reverend S.O. Shaw, who made a gift of $10,000 to the new institution.
In 1882, the name was changed to Rust University. The name is a tribute to
Richard S. Rust of Cincinnati, Ohio, Secretary of the Freedman's Aid Society.
In 1915, the title was changed to a more realistic name, Rust College.
Rust College is an accredited four year, co-educational, liberal arts college.
Rust College is the oldest of the eleven Historically Black Colleges and Universities
related to the United Methodist Church, the second oldest private college in
Mississippi, the oldest historically Black College in the State, and one of
the remaining five historically Black Colleges in America founded before 1867.
Mission Statement and Purpose
Rust College is a historically Black, coeducational, senior liberal arts college
founded in 1866 by the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.The
College is related to the United Methodist Church, and dedicated to serve students
with a variety of academic preparations, through instruction in the humanities,
social behavior sciences, natural science, business, technology and education.
Rust College recognizes the three-fold function of education as being teaching,
research, and community service. Its primary mission, however, is teaching.
It offers a well-rounded program designed to acquaint students with cultural,
moral, and spiritual values, both in theory and in practice.
Rust College provides
an opportunity for education to all, regardless of race, religion, sex, national
origin, or ethnic background. Rust College maintains an academic environment
that fosters a love of learning, a spirit of independent inquiry, the free
exchange of ideas, a broad and active
Christian life, and a concern for the world at large. Rust College's mission
is to grant access to higher education for individuals who are, or have potential
to be, academically talented, regardless of their social, economic, or educational
background. This mission includes the holistic development of students, with
the goal of helping students reach their full potential as human beings by
becoming contributing members of society, prepared for life in a pluralistic,
complex and technological society, and enabled to understand other cultures.