The document discusses the role of churches in establishing colleges and universities in Nebraska from 1855 to 1899. It lists over 30 colleges and universities that were chartered by the territorial legislature during this period, many of which were founded by different religious denominations. It provides brief histories of several prominent universities, such as Creighton University, Cotner University, Doane College, and Nebraska Wesleyan University. It also discusses the establishment of state normal schools and the University of Nebraska.

1. Wesleyan Live
Flames on the Plains Redux
November 9, 2010

2. Flames on the Plains
• November 9, 2010
• Role of Nebraska Churches in Establishing
Colleges and Universities
• The Public School Debate in Nebraska
• Free Masonry and Education in Nebraska

3. Colleges/Universities Chartered by
Territorial Legislature, 1855 - 1867
• 1855 Nebraska University
• 1855 Simpson University
• 1855 Nebraska City Coll & Prep
• 1856 Nemaha University
• 1856 Washington College
• 1856 Western University
• 1856 Plattsmouth Prep & Coll.
• 1857 Brownville College
• 1857 Rock Bluffs Seminary
• 1857 Salem College
• 1857 University of Nebraska
• 1857 Omadi College
• 1857 Dakota City College
• 1857 St. Mary’s Female Sem.
• 1857 University of Saint John
• 1860 Peru Seminary
• 1860 Columbus University
• 1860 Florence Seminary
• 1864 All-Souls College
• 1864 Nemaha Valley Seminary
• 1865 Johnson County Seminary
• 1866 Peru Seminary & College
• 1867 Inst for Deaf and Dumb

4. Sustained Effort Comes with
Statehood
• Denominational Efforts Responsible for most
Nebraska Colleges and Universities after
1867.

5. Creighton University, 1879
• Omaha
• Edward Creighton
• Mary Creighton
• Bishop James O’Connor and the Jesuits
• John A. Creighton

6. Cotner University, 1888
• Bethany (Lincoln)
• Christian Missionary Society
• Christian Church – Disciples of Christ 1890
• Two Colleges
– Liberal Arts
• Classical
• Sacred Literature
• Philosophical
• Normal Philosophical
– Medical College – Lincoln Medical College

7. Doane College, 1872
• Crete
• Congregationalists
• Three courses of study
– Art
– Literature
– Science

8. Nebraska Wesleyan University 1887
• University Place
• Methodists
• First Attempt – Simpson University – Omaha
• Consolidation – Bishop Charles Fowler
– York Seminary
– Nebraska Wesleyan University
• Osceola and Fullerton
– Nebraska Central College – Central City
– Mallalieu University – Bartley

9. Bellevue College, 1874
• Bellevue
• Presbyterians

10. Hastings College, 1882
• Hastings
• Presbyterians

11. Omaha Seminary, 1891
• Omaha
• Presbyterian
• Training for Ministers

12. Grand Island College, 1892
• Grand Island
• Baptists

13. Union College, 1891
• College View (Lincoln)
• Seventh Day Adventists
• Lincoln Selected because
– Environment
– College town already
– Educational Level of Public
• Government and Educational Employment

14. Evangelical Lutheran Teacher’s
Seminary – Now Concordia-Seward,
1893
• Seward
• Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
• St. John’s Lutheran Church Responsible

15. York College, 1886
• Gibbon
• United Brethren in Christ
• Moved to York in 1890

16. Nebraska Central College, 1899
• Central City
• Society of Friends (Quakers)

17. Luther College, 1899
• Wahoo
• Swedish Lutheran Church

18. University of Omaha, 1909
• Omaha
• No denominational ties
• But, Charter says
– An institution influenced by Christian ideals free
from ecclesiastical controls

19. Brownell Hall – Now Brownell-Talbot,
1861
• Saratoga (Omaha)
• Episcopal
• Episcopal Bishop Joseph Talbot

20. State Normal School at Peru, 1867
• Peru
• Originally Peru Seminary

21. State Normal School at Kearney –
Now University of Nebraska-
Kearney, 1903

22. State Normal School at Chadron,
1888
• Chadron
• Founded by the Congregational Church in
1888
• Converted to a Normal School in 1909

23. University of Nebraska, 1871
Lincoln
Originally chartered at Saratoga in
1856

24. The Public School Debate
Free Masonry