The Foundation of Adrian College

Adrian College was founded as a Methodist institution. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, espoused a Christian faith that embraced a social consciousness. In the nineteenth century, American Methodists founded many liberal arts colleges. Asa Mahan, the first president of Oberlin College in Ohio, became the founding president of Adrian College in 1859. Like John Wesley, he opposed slavery and believed in what he called “the power of action.” Although its students and faculty come from many religious backgrounds, the College encourages all members of the community to struggle with moral and spiritual value questions growing out of the College’s United Methodist heritage of commitment to Christian traditions and values, concern for peace and justice and an ecumenical understanding of human spiritual experience. Because of its Methodist traditions, Adrian College has been open from its inception to men and women from all backgrounds. The College continues its commitment to creating a community that reflects human diversity. It is therefore actively inclusive, seeking to attract students, faculty and staff from segments of the population that have not been fully represented in higher education.