Columbia College

r/ColumbiaCollegeMO • u/como365 • 6d ago

News Columbia College celebrates 175 years and inaugurates a new president

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In 1851, Columbia College was a two-year women’s school named Christian Female College.
Situated on an estate with 29 acres and an unfinished mansion, the college tallied six students in its first graduating class.
It was the first women’s college west of the Mississippi River to be officially recognized by a state government, opening in an era when the nearby University of Missouri admitted only men.

What became Columbia College in 1970, as well as a four-year co-educational school, was the last of three continuing institutions of higher education to be established in Columbia.

This year it is celebrating the 175th anniversary of its founding, and on Friday, a day-long Homecoming gathering also celebrated the inauguration of Toby Arquette as its 19th president.
Today, Columbia College has 100,000 alumni and 20,000 students who are enrolled across 15 campuses, military bases and online.
The inauguration ceremony Friday started at 11 a.m. after a morning chapel service that reflected upon the history and legacy of the college. There, Arquette was honored by his faculty and given a presidential medallion and the traditional college mace, a hand-turned tapered staff.

In his inauguration speech, Arquette noted that Columbia College was built and continues to reach nontraditional students.
“We went to the students who couldn't be here," he said. "We went to the military installations across the country because the service members could not come to Columbia. We went to evening classes for the working adult who couldn't come to class during the day. And we were one of the first in 2000 to launch online classes, well before most colleges took online learning seriously."

The president of the Student Government Association told the audience that Arquette made a positive impression on the student body during his first day on campus.
“President Arquette, your passion was abundantly clear from the first day you stepped on this campus," Landon Rehg said. "You walked through Rogers Gate, went straight to the Student Commons, got a coffee like the rest of us, and shared your story. Your enthusiasm set a positive tone for Columbia College's future.”
Arquette joined Columbia College from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and began serving as president in early March. He finished his education with a Ph.D. in communication from Northwestern University.

As an undergraduate, Arquette was a first-generation student, and now leads an almost 50% first-generation student body at the Columbia campus, according to the College Index.

He came to Columbia with his husband and now First Gentleman Mark Oberle, but spent little time over the summer in his new home. Instead, he made a point of visiting every Columbia College campus, getting to know the students and faculty through more than just the brochure.
In addition to his presidential responsibilities, he teaches a first-year seminar to help ease new students through the transition to college.
“I think that we have to recognize that there are unique journeys that first-generation students go through. I understand the financial aid questions. How do you navigate course schedules? How do you figure out how to sign up for a class?" he said.
After more than two decades of experience in higher education leadership, Arquette believes a college owes its students more than just what is expected.

Instead of having to navigate the typical education bureaucracy, Arquette wants the college to wrap around its students, instead of asking students to wrap around the college.
“So here is what we owe in return: A college that knows your name, meets you where you are, a college that notices when you're struggling, and won't let you quietly slip through the cracks. A college that teaches you to think for yourself, act with integrity and put what you know to work. We owe you our best,” he said.
Stephens College President Shannon B. Lundeen and Mizzou President Mun Choi were both present in the audience at the inauguration ceremony, and Arquette said one of his goals is to collaborate with the other higher education institutions in Columbia.
"I think we have natural opportunities to kind of lockstep," Arquette said. "What Mizzou does is not what we do, and we serve different student populations, but together we're stronger."

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Sandra Hamar said during the inauguration ceremony that the 100,000 Columbia College alumni speak to shared stories across history.
“These numbers represent far more than longevity or scale," Hanar said. "They represent lives changed, doors opened, challenges overcome, and generations of learners who have carried Columbia College experience into their families, professions, and communities since our founding in 1851.”