Left to right: Mary Belle McElwain; Oda M. Nicklas Stewart; Anne Elizabeth “Bess” Swain. ]]> ]]> ]]>
Back row, left to right: Mary Swain; James Ramsey Swain; Sarah Swain; Anne Elizabeth Swain.
Front row, left to right: George Swain Jr.; Anne Elizabeth Beekman Swain; Reverend George Swain; Eleanor Swain.]]>
Rev. Edwards was the Presbyterian minister of a Hagerstown church. He originally proposed the idea for a women's college in the area to Rev. Wightman. Together, they envisioned a different kind of college for young women. It would be the intellectual equal of men’s colleges, have a government based on honor and self-discipline, and maintain a Christian atmosphere while promoting a non-sectarian student body. Above all, the goal would be intellectual and spiritual growth. ]]> Edwards: Presbyterian minister from Hagerstown Maryland
Wightman: pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Greencastle. Wightman did not believe in a “female” education of women – he proposed a first-class college comparable to men’s colleges.
Wightman and Edwards envisioned a different kind of college for young women. It would be the intellectual equal of men’s colleges, have a government based on honor and self-discipline, and maintain a Christian atmosphere while promoting a non-sectarian student body. Above all, the goal would be intellectual and spiritual growth.

The two pastors’ vision led to a discussion at the Presbytery meeting in Greencastle on April 15, 1868. The meeting passed a resolution that the Committee on Education (chaired by Dr. Edwards) would start devising a means to establish such a college. By the Presbytery’s June meeting, the Committee laid out a plan. They needed to determine a Board of Trustees, advertise the College, secure a location, and raise the money to fund it all.]]>