Founding of the College of Wooster, 1866

Presbyterian Origins. The College of Wooster is a private liberal arts college located in Wooster, Ohio. It was founded in 1866 by the Presbyterian Synod of Ohio under the name University of Wooster. The institution was established with a commitment to liberal arts education and has been co-educational since its creation. Although rooted in Presbyterian traditions, the college became officially non-sectarian in 1969, reflecting its evolving identity while maintaining its historical ties to the Presbyterian Church.

Opening and Early Faculty. Although founded in 1866, the University of Wooster did not open its doors until 1870. At the time of opening, the institution operated with a faculty of five and a student body consisting of thirty men and four women. This small initial cohort highlights the modest beginnings of the college, which grew from a Presbyterian-founded institution into a broader liberal arts college. The early operations established the foundation for its long-term educational mission in Ohio.