Mission Documents

The mission of Meredith College has evolved since the College opened as the Baptist Female University in 1899. This page presents documents illustrating this evolution. What we call the "mission" today was addressed as the "aim," "intent," "purpose," or "goal" in the past. However, certain principles have been constant throughout the history of the College, namely high standards, equal opportunity for women, and an emphasis on the liberal arts.

	1891: Board of Trustees: Course of Study Board of Trustees Minutes, Book 1, page 33 Raleigh, N.C., April 14, 1891 Report of the Committee to Suggest a Course of Study. If we are to establish a college to be simply a rival of the institutions already in existence, we see no sufficient reason for this movement, and we might better have the work in the hands of those now doing it so well, and, instead of adding another, endeavor to strengthen these existing institutions and enlarge their facilities. But by almost unanimous consent, we need and desire and [sic] institution whose course of study shall be more extensive than that of any school for girls in the South. To suggest such a course of study, your committee was appointed, and our investigations confirm our convictions of the need of such a college. ...There may [not] be at first a large number of students ready to take a course as advanced, but this number will steadily increase, not only from the girls of North Carolina, but also from those of other states. ...the advanced course is the special work for which the College is to be established. Course of Study This we would divide into three Departments I. Literature and Science. II. Fine Arts. III. Technical Training. I. Department of Literature and Science. Here the Schools might be arranged somewhat as follows: 1. Ancient Languages, including three years each in Latin and Greek. 2. Modern Languages, including two or three years in French and German with alternative courses in Spanish and Italian. 3. English, covering not less than three years. 4. Mathematics, three years. 5. Physical Science, including Physics, Astronomy and Chemistry, with such study, teaching and illustrative apparatus as modern education demands. 6. Natural History, including Botany, Physiology and Zoology. 7. History and Political Economy, giving general views of historical science, and detailed investigations of certain periods. 8. Metaphysics, including Logic, Moral and Mental Phylosophy 9. Evidences of Christianity and Bible Study, so as to give the student not only the evidences on which our religion rests, but also some knowledge of that religion itself as contained in its history, literature, and moral teachings. II. Department of Fine Arts. This would include exclusive study and practice in Music, Drawing, Painting, and such other fine Arts as our advancing civilization may demand. II. Department of Technical and Industrial Training. Too long our girls have been educated with little reference to enabling them to gain a living independently of fathers, brothers, or husbands. Common sensed unites with Christian civilization in demanding that they have an opportunity of acquiring such technical and industrial training as shall give this independence, and enable them to enter such spheres of activity as their sex fits them for and the Scriptures confirm.
	1891: Board of Trustees: Graduation Requirements & Degrees Board of Trustees Minutes, Book 1, page 35 Raleigh, N.C., April 14, 1891 Graduation. We would recommend the conferring of two degrees, Artium Baccalaurea, and Artium Magistea, with great flexibility in the course required for these degrees. The A.B. course ought to involve not less than four years of study in the Department of Literature and Science, always including the Schools of English and Mathematics, with one Ancient and one Modern Language, but with the privilege of limited substitution of successful work in the Department of Fine Arts, & Technical Training in places of parts of the Department of literature and Science. The A,M, course ought ought to include one fourth more of successful study than the A.B. course, being equivalent to the mastery of the whole Department of Literature and Science including at least three languages, and allowing substitutions similar to the those mentioned above.
	1899: The First Annual Announcement It is the aim of the University to furnish to the young women of the South educational advantages equal in extent and personal value to those enjoyed by the opposite sex at as moderate cost as possible.
	1900: Catalog of the Baptist Female University The ideals of the University have been hinted at. Its first intention is to provide, not simply instruction of the noblest and most thorough sort but instruction made perfect in the religion of Jesus Christ.

	1959 Charter The purpose of this corporation is to provide for the higher education of women under Christian auspices and within a Christian context, fostering in all its activities and relationships the ideals of personal integrity, intellectual freedom, and academic excellence... This institution, a liberal arts college, shall emphasize and develop its academic program in terms of scholastic standards and service... and, as a Christian college, shall be primarily concerned to inculcate attitudes, provide activities, and promote learning calculated to deepen and broaden the Christian experience, of its students and to prepare them for maximum service in the Christian enterprise.
	1976-1977 Catalog Meredith is a woman's college of high quality in the liberal arts -- a college in which the Christian perspective is the integrative principle of all that comprises the educational program. The purpose of Meredith College is to provide experiences through which her students will develop the Christian attitude toward the whole of life. Its intention is to provide not only thorough instruction, but also culture made perfect through the religion of Jesus Christ. In an atmosphere of freedom and commitment, students are encouraged to realize their potential as individuals, to acquire sound knowledge in the arts, sciences, humanities, and to develop skills in analytical thought and communication. ...the College seeks to prepare her students for intelligent citizenship, for productive work in the vocations and professions, for graduate and professional study, for leisure, and for homemaking.

	2010-11 Catalog In educating women to excel, Meredith College fosters in students integrity, independence, scholarship, and personal growth. Grounded in the liberal arts, the college values freedom and openness in the pursuit of truth and, in keeping with its Christian heritage, seeks to nurture justice and compassion. Meredith endeavors to create a supportive and diverse community in which undergraduate and graduate students learn from the past, prepare for the future, and grow in their understanding of self, others, and community. To these ends, Meredith strives to develop in students the knowledge, skills, values, and global awareness necessary to pursue careers, to assume leadership roles, to continue their education, and to lead responsible lives of work, citizenship, leisure, learning, and service.