page_title: Central Methodist University
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Central Methodist University / History
caption_attribution_description: Charles Bluejacket (1816-1897), Shawnee, of Kansas, USA
context_page_description: Central Methodist University is a private university in Fayette, Missouri. CMU is accredited to offer master's, bachelor's, and associate degrees. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
context_section_description: On April 13–14, 1853, Central Methodist University was founded by Nathan Scarritt and David Rice McAnally. The college was chartered by the Missouri General Assembly on March 15, 1855.  It came about due largely to the diligent work of Nathan Scarritt and David Rice McAnally.  Classes began on September 18, 1857, on a 1-acre (0.405 ha) campus with an enrollment of 114 students and a faculty of three. Samuel C. Major was the first graduate, in 1858.  In about 100 years the school grew to a campus of 55 acres (22.3 ha), enrollment of over 1,000 students and a faculty of 65. In 2004, it was granted university status and changed its name accordingly.
caption: Portrait of Nathan Scarritt
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