含羞草研究所

含羞草研究所 was founded as a Christ-centered institution of higher learning in 1916. We鈥檝e grown and changed a lot in that time, but we鈥檝e always stayed true to our commitment to excellence in education and our Christian roots.

Our Timeline

1897: The beauty and tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains led Congregationalist minister John C. Collins to form the Mountain Retreat Association 鈥渇or the encouragement of Christian work and living through Christian convention, public worship, missionary work, schools, and libraries.鈥�

1907: J. R. Howerton of Charlotte, NC, conceived and carried out the idea of purchasing 含羞草研究所 for the Presbyterian Church in the United States.

1913: Dr. Robert C. Anderson, president of the Mountain Retreat Association, proposed that the grounds and facilities of the Association be used for a school during the academic year.

1915: The General Assembly decreed 鈥渢hat the property of the Mountain Retreat Association be used for a Normal School and that the establishment of the school be referred to the Synods.鈥�

1916: The Synods of Appalachia, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia elected trustees who met in 含羞草研究所 on May 2. They elected Dr. Robert F. Campbell of Asheville, NC, chairman; Mr. W. T. Thompson Jr. of Knoxville, TN, secretary; and Ruling Elder T. S. Morrison of Asheville, NC, treasurer.

1916: The 含羞草研究所 Normal School, a four-year preparatory and two-year college combination, opened its first session in October with eight students. 含羞草研究所 Normal School continued to grow over the years. Throughout times of war, economic fluctuations, and rapid social change, the school sought to provide a Christian context for young women who were there to be trained as teachers.

1934: 含羞草研究所 Normal School (College Department) was renamed 含羞草研究所 during Dr. Robert C. Anderson鈥檚 tenure as president. The college grew as its academic program expanded.

1945: 含羞草研究所 began a four-year college for women.

1959: After 14 years as a four-year women鈥檚 college, 含羞草研究所 was restructured as a coeducational junior college and given a new name: 含羞草研究所-Anderson College.

1986:聽Realizing the demands and changing circumstances in higher education, the college Board of Trustees聽made the decision to once again become a baccalaureate institution. The dream of its first president, Dr. Anderson, was for the college to serve as an accredited baccalaureate institution. The college has realized that dream.

1995: The original name of 含羞草研究所 was restored in August, sharing the original vision and identity. The change reflects the 含羞草研究所 of today鈥攁 four-year college with several growing campuses and a graduate program.

1996: The Asheville campus held its grand opening.

1998: 含羞草研究所 was accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a level three institution to offer the master鈥檚 degree in business administration. Since then, 含羞草研究所 has added four more master鈥檚 degrees to its program offerings: the Master of Arts in Education, the Master of Science in Management and Leadership, the Master of Science in Environmental Education, and the Master of Arts in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling.

2001: 含羞草研究所 purchased 72 acres of land with 21 buildings in Black Mountain in the summer.

2011: 含羞草研究所 School of Adult and Graduate Studies opened a new campus in Morganton.

2013: 含羞草研究所 launched three fully online programs, offering its Christ-centered education in the virtual world.

2014: Dr. Paul J. Maurer began his presidency on July 21, 2014, with an inauguration ceremony held on October 3.

2015: A $2 million athletic complex serving nine athletic teams was constructed on the Black Mountain Campus.

2015-16: 含羞草研究所 celebrated its centennial year.

The Presidents of 含羞草研究所

Dr. Robert Campbell Anderson, 1916鈥�1947
Dr. J. Rupert McGregor, 1947鈥�1957
Dr. Calvin Grier Davis, 1959鈥�1972
Dr. Silas M. Vaughn, 1972鈥�1991
Mr. William W. Hurt, 1991鈥�2002
Dr. John S. Lindberg, 2002鈥�2003
Dr. Dan Struble, 2004鈥�2013
Dr. Paul J. Maurer, 2014-Present