Culver–Stockton College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Canton, Missouri. It was founded as Christian University in 1853 as the first institution west of the Mississippi River chartered specifically for men and women. As of fall 2020, the college enrolled 1,003 students, the sixth year in a row that enrollment was more than 1,000. History In the 1850s, Pat Henderson and other Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) leaders were interested in creating an institution for the education of male and female students. Describing the site of the college that he had helped to select, Henderson said: In 1853, the college's founders were granted a charter by the State of Missouri to establish Christian University, in which classes began in 1855. Christian University was the United States' first co-educational institution of higher learning west of the Mississippi River. James Shannon became the college's first president the following year. Civil War After a local scuffle between Southern and Northern sympathizers, federal troops were sent to Canton in July 1861 where they occupied the school's only building. The troops left after a short stay. Another wave of federal troops arrived in October 1861 and took forcible possession of the Old Main. They occupied it until early December 1862, using the building as a base for expeditions to fight Confederate units, chase down deserters, and seize property of disloyal citizens. They left Old Main a ghostly shell with broken doors and windows and locks, burned seats, and much of the furniture and teaching materials carried off or destroyed. Many trees on campus had been felled and the fences burned. It was nearly the death of Christian University. Under the leadership of B. H. Smith, the college reopened in 1865, but made little financial and physical progress until Carl Johann became president in 1902. When Old Main burned in 1903, the building was replaced by Henderson Hall. College renamed The college's Board of Trustees voted in 1914 to change its name to reflect the generosity of two donors, Mary Culver and Robert Stockton, both of St. Louis. The long-time supporters played a vital role in the college's history with generous donations for residence halls, a new gymnasium, and grants for faculty salaries. Stockton was Culver's husband's business partner. The new name didn't take effect until 1917. Presidents Twenty-seven presidents have served Christian University/Culver–Stockton College through the years. The first was James Shannon. Shannon