Mount Vernon Academy - History

History

The oldest Adventist boarding academy, Mount Vernon Academy opened its doors in 1893 to 32 students and six staff members with Professor William T. Bland as principal. However, by the end of the first year the enrollment had grown to about 100. The school opened in buildings previously occupied by the Mount Vernon Sanitarium, which had closed in 1891. Ellen G. White, when consulted, had written in 1893:

"Let the building be converted into a seminary to educate our youth in the place of enlarging the college at Battle Creek. I have been shown that there should...be located, school buildings in Ohio which would give character to the work" (Ellen G. White letter K35).

The day after this letter was written, J. N. Loughborough submitted a report to the General Conference in session advising the same action. Upon General Conference recommendations, the stockholders of the sanitarium voted to adopt this recommendation and to form a new corporation for the management of the Academy.

After operating on the secondary level for 12 years, the school was advanced from an academy to a college. During the next 11 years, Mount Vernon College offered four-year courses leading to B.S. and B.A. degrees. Secondary work also continued during this time. Norris W. Lawrence served as the first president of the college. In 1914 the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary at Washington, D.C., was made the training college for the Columbia Union, and the school at Mount Vernon reverted back to an academy.

The Administration Building was built in 1924 and presently houses the chapel, three classrooms, and the administrative offices. On December 24, 1926, the old sanitarium building, which was the main campus building for many years, was destroyed by fire. As partial replacement, Linden Hall, the girls' dormitory, was erected in 1927-1928. In 1940, Hadley Hall, the boys' dormitory, was built. The gymnasium was completed in 1951, and in 1958, the industrial arts building. In 1968, Hiawatha Hall, which included the cafeteria, classrooms, and administrative offices, was built. Campus-wide renovations began in 2001, which include redecorating the Cafeteria, renovating Linden Hall (girls’ dorm) and Hadley Hall (boys’ dorm) including new furniture, the Music Building, a new Campus Center, and repairs to the Cafeteria and the gymnasium. Over $3.6 million has been invested in capital improvements since 2001

Mount Vernon Academy is located near the geographic center of Ohio just 50 minutes from the capital city of Columbus. Mount Vernon, Ohio's "Colonial City," is nestled in gently rolling hills, offering a semi-rural atmosphere. The campus is located on State Route 3 two miles northeast of Mount Vernon, a city of 15,000 residents.