The Aug. 2, 1900 issue of the B&R spotlighted the East Tennessee college. After initial discussions in the early 1840s, the East Tennessee Baptist Educational Society applied in 1850 for a charter to establish an institution of higher learning.
Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary offered its first classes in August 1851 under President William Rogers.
As noted in their founding documents, the founders possessed a twofold intent: “to promote education in general, and among the ministry in particular.”
1855 also witnessed the first of several name changes as the school became Mossy Creek Baptist College under President Samuel Anderson. Federal troops occupied the campus during the Civil War and the damage was significant.
After the war the college found itself in significant debt as it reopened in 1868. The next year Jesse Baker assumed the presidency and went on a legendary 3,500-mile horseback trip that raised $6,000 and pulled the college out of financial distress.
By 1879 the college assumed operation of what would eventually become Newman College. In 1880 the college would change its name once again, becoming Carson College.
In 1889 Carson and the female Newman college joined. Led by future governor Ben Hooper, the students conducted a “marriage” ceremony to celebrate the union.
In 1892 classes were offered in the newly constructed Administration Building and the school prayerfully looked toward the new century. B&R
