History of Iowa Wesleyan University Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa Information extracted from the "Catalogue of Iowa Wesleyan University, and German College, 1875-1876" by Joy Fisher, ====================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ====================================================================== Origin, Character and Design of Iowa Wesleyan University THE UNIVERSITY was originally chartered by the Territorial Legislature of Iowa as the “MT. PLEASANT COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.” In 1850 it was adopted by the Iowa Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. January 25, 1855, the Legislature having, at the request of the Conference, changed its name, and more fully defined its powers, it became the “IOWA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.” The design of the University is: First, to provide facilities to students, without distinction of sex, for obtaining a thorough general education, by means of the Collegiate Courses in the Department of THE LIBERAL ARTS: Secondly, by means of other Departments, to provide a thorough scientific basis for the professions, and also for the general industrial pursuits of the country. The Department of THE LIBERAL ARTS is devoted to general instruction and discipline, and comprises several courses of study as follows: the Classical Course of four years, corresponding mainly with the undergraduate course in the best American Colleges; the Preparatory Course of two years, and the Scientific Course of four years. Beside the Department of THE LIBERAL ARTS, are the Department of THEOLOGY, English and German; LAW; PHARMACY AND ANATOMY, and TECHNOLOGY. These Departments are more specifically described in the following pages. Other Departments and extensions of some of the above will be added as demands and means may justify.