On February 24, 1844, the Reverend John J. “Father” Shipherd and thirty-nine followers arrived by ox-cart on a wilderness hilltop, driving their herds before them, believing God had directed them to this oak grove to found a coeducational Christian college open to students of all races. First chartered as Olivet Institute, the school received its charter as a college in 1859. For over a century it has provided a broad liberal arts education with strong support from the Congregational church, and many alumni have gone forth “Pro Christo et Humanitate."