Two centuries ago, Mississippi lawmakers chartered a small academy that would grow into one of the state’s most enduring institutions. This week, Mississippi College is celebrating its 200th anniversary, marking an achievement not many colleges can claim.
The Clinton campus’ bicentennial is being recognized through Founders’ Week, a series of events leading to Founders’ Day on Saturday, Jan. 24, the official anniversary of the school’s founding in 1826.
“This is a major milestone in the history of this institution,” Mississippi College President Dr. Blake Thompson said on Mornings with Richard Cross. “I’m very thankful to be here and to be able to lead that celebration.”
Originally founded as Hampstead Academy, Mississippi College holds the distinction of being the oldest college in Mississippi and among the oldest in the South. Thompson said the weight of that history has been felt across campus as the bicentennial approached.
“At some point, you realize the moment is here,” Thompson said. “Birthdays are big occasions, and this one deserved more than a single day. That’s why we decided to take an entire week to celebrate.”
Events throughout Founders Week include historical reflections, alumni gatherings, and a carnival-themed birthday party on Friday, The party will feature performances from the MC Choctaw Marching Band, a Ferris wheel, and a 200-inch birthday cake. A full bicentennial schedule can be found here.
The anniversary also comes at a pivotal moment for the university. Thompson reiterated the school’s plans to transition to Mississippi Christian University later this year, a move he said reflects both its heritage and future direction.
“Mississippi Christian University describes exactly who we are,” Thompson said. “Mississippi is who we are, it’s been our home for 200 years, and our Christian mission is central to everything we do.”
Mississippi College has been affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention for 175 years, a legacy Thompson said continues to shape the institution’s values and purpose.
While the anniversary looks back, university leaders say the focus is also firmly forward-facing.
“We’re not just celebrating where we’ve been,” Thompson said. “We’re thinking about where we’re going — the next 50 years and the next 200 years.”
The class of 2026 will hold a unique place in school history as the bicentennial graduating class and the final class to receive a diploma bearing the Mississippi College name.
As Founders Week continues, Mississippi College is honoring its past while preparing the next chapter – one rooted in faith, education, and service, just as it was two centuries ago.