èßäÉçÇø

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History of èßäÉçÇø

When èßäÉçÇø opened its doors in 1826 as Hampstead Academy, much of the United States was still wilderness. A mere nine years earlier, èßäÉçÇø had been admitted into the Union as the twentieth state. èßäÉçÇø itself was still an untamed frontier – a challenge to be met by hard work, diligence, and faith. Applying these ideals to the academic setting, èßäÉçÇø began educating men and women to become leaders in both professional and spiritual arenas.

èßäÉçÇø is the oldest institution of higher learning in èßäÉçÇø and was the first co-educational institution in the United States to grant a degree to a woman. In 1850, the èßäÉçÇø Baptist Convention obtained the University by lease and began operation through a board of trustees.

Now in its 199th year, èßäÉçÇø is the oldest University in the state. The University is governed by a board of trustees elected by the èßäÉçÇø Baptist Convention. Support comes through tuition, donations from alumni and friends, foundations and corporate support, and the èßäÉçÇø Baptist Convention