Synodical College facts for kids
Synodical College was a school for young women located in Fulton, Missouri. It provided education from 1873 until 1928. The school was supported by the Presbyterian Church. In 1871, the church leaders met and accepted an offer. Citizens of Callaway County gave $16,500 in money. Daniel M. Tucker also donated 4 acres (about 16,000 square meters) of land. The college then opened its doors in 1873.
Synodical College took over from an earlier school called the Fulton Female Academy. This academy was started in 1842 by Reverend William W. Robertson. It was one of the first American colleges for women. The Fulton Female Academy became connected with the Presbyterian Church in 1871.
Leading the College
A group of people called trustees helped manage Synodical College. They made important decisions for the school. The first board of trustees included William King, Edwin Curd, W.W. Robertson, C.C. Hersman, John F. Cowan, W.W. Trimble, T.B. Nisbet, Samuel T. Shaw, and Samuel I. McKamey.
During the college's last year, 1927–1928, the trustees were C.F. Richmond, John E. Kerr, T.P. Harrison, C.R. Nisbet, S.G. Wood, T.R.R. Ely, C.A. McPheeters, J.W. Gallaher, J.W. McKamey, E.J. Grant, J.G. McConkey, I Cochran Hunt, R.S. Boyd, and Joseph Rennie.
College Presidents
Several leaders served as president of Synodical College over the years. They guided the school and its students.
Here are some of the presidents:
- T.O. Rogers, from 1873 to 1874
- W.W. Hill, from 1874 to 1877
- B.H. Charles, from 1877 to 1888
- H.C. Evans, from 1888 to 1893
- John W. Primrose, from 1893 to 1896
- Thomas Peyton Walton, who had been president of Elizabeth Aull Seminary
- John James, from 1914 to 1924
- Colin A. McPheeters, who was the Acting President in the final year, 1927–1928
What Students Learned
Synodical College was recognized as a standard junior college after 1916. This meant its courses were approved by the University of Missouri. In 1925, the Presbyterian Church leaders in Missouri met in St. Joseph, Missouri. They decided to improve the school's classes. Their goal was to make it a four-year college.
To start this plan, Synodical College worked with Westminster College. They agreed to share some teachers and classes. However, Synodical College closed its doors in 1928 before becoming a four-year college.
