Meredith College - History

History

Chartered in 1891 by First Baptist Church and named for Thomas Meredith, founder of the Biblical Recorder, the Baptist Female University opened in 1891 in a facility in downtown Raleigh. In 1904, the name was changed to Baptist University for Women. The name "Meredith College" was chosen in 1909.

In 1997, the college moved away from a direct connection with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. In 2010, the Board of Trustees revised the mission statement to say: "Meredith College, grounded in the liberal arts and committed to professional preparation, educates and inspires students to live with integrity and provide leadership for the needs, opportunities and challenges of society." The trustees also adopted a revised vision statement for the college and listed the values of the college which include:

• Integrity…upholding high standards of truth and personal honor;
• Intellectual freedom…fostering a spirit of openness and inquiry, and respecting a range of perspectives and voices;
• Academic excellence…promoting scholarship, innovation, curiosity, intellectual challenge, hard work and lifelong learning;
• Responsible global citizenship…contributing positive change through ethical leadership and civic engagement;
• Personal development…seeking intellectual, personal and spiritual growth through structured and individual learning and experience;
• Religious diversity…avowing the College’s Christian heritage while respecting all faiths and spiritual beliefs; and
• Relevance…meeting society’s needs by educating students in programs that prepare them for the future

Meredith moved to its current location on Hillsborough Street near North Carolina State University in 1924. The campus covers 225 acres (0.91 km2) and is located in close proximity to both Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park.

As of the 2007-2008 school year, the mascot was changed to the "Avenging Angels" from the "Angels". This was to add a more intimidating edge to their mascot.

For a timeline, go to the Meredith College Library website at http://www.meredith.edu/library/archives/meredith_timeline.html

A rich part of Meredith's history is a strong connection to tradition. A Meredith girl can be spotted by her class ring, a black onyx with an engraving of the Meredith Shield. On either side of the ring, oak leaves represent one of North Carolina's most recognizable trees. The current design, the work of Meredith grad Ann Lovell, has been the same for every Meredith onyx since 1953. Today, this small symbol connects all of Meredith's women, reminding them of their time at Meredith and the history of the all-women's college.