History

Yadkin College was created by the Methodist Protestant denomination to educate young men in a rural area of North Carolina.  Yadkin College Institute was chartered in 1855 and opened in 1856 for 40 students.  By 1861 enrollment had reached 80, of which 60 volunteered for the Confederate army, so that the school closed.  It reopened in 1867, and in 1873 accepted young ladies.  Male and female students were together only in chapel services and vocal music classes.  In 1877 under President Shadrack Simpson, Yadkin College began to offer college-level work with nineteen students achieving a bachelor’s degree before college work ceased in 1883.  From 1898 to 1924 the school was known as Yadkin Collegiate Institute, providing preparatory work under President W. T. Totten.  By 1924 public high school were more readily available in the region, and the Methodist Protestants had created High Point College nearby, bringing the history of Yadkin College to a close.

The 1879-80 catalog shows a student body of 53 male students and 25 females, taught by a faculty of five members.  Four students were doing college level work.  All students were from North Carolina.  The curriculum was heavily classical, featuring classes in Latin and Greek, mathematics, history, logic, rhetoric and composition.  But Yadkin College also offered classes in bookkeeping, penmanship, and music.  Every student belonged to a literary society, with debates held every Friday.  Dr. Michael notes, “Public speaking was a speciality of Yadkin College during its entire history.”   To be chosen to speak at commencement was the school highest honors.  Medals were awarded at commencement for declamation, recitation, oration and debate.