History
A liberal arts college, Bethany was chartered on March 5, 1840, by the Virginia legislature and given "all degree-granting powers" of the University of Virginia. West Virginia's secession from Virginia on June 20, 1863 recognized existing Virginia charters; Bethany College continues to operate under the Virginia charter today.
Founded by Alexander Campbell, who provided the land and funds for the first building and served as the first president, Bethany has been a four-year private liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), since its inception in 1809. This religious body, of which Campbell was one of the principal founders, continues to support and encourage the College but exercises no sectarian control. An early center of coeducation, Bethany has admitted women since the 1880s.
The College's roots stem from the Buffalo Seminary, a center for advancement to further education, founded in 1818 by Campbell and held in the Alexander Campbell Mansion, home of Alexander Campbell and Thomas Campbell, located less than a mile away from the College's present location.
The College is the birthplace of Delta Tau Delta, an international social fraternity founded in 1858.
During World War II, Bethany was one of 131 colleges nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission.
A number of campus buildings are contributing resources to the Bethany Historic District. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Pendleton Heights was listed in 1975 and the Delta Tau Delta Founders House in 1979.
Read more about this topic: Bethany College (West Virginia)
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