Rust College Overiew (Campus Gazebo)

THE RUST COLLEGE LEGACY

It was 1866, a year after the Civil War ended, and the South was still recovering from the effects. Then, perched on the tallest heights of Holly Springs, Mississippi, the illustrious Rust College came into existence as a beacon of hope. Rust unfolded at a time when newly emancipated black individuals, who had just gained freedom and were empowered to shape their own destinies, struggled with how to go about their newly found lives. Their only clarity was the importance of education in their journey toward success. A man named Rev. Albert CollierMcDonald, a Freedman’s Aid Society clergyman, empathized with the formerly enslaved persons and had a vision. In Asbury Methodist Church, Mr. McDonald conducted the first class of this institution. As a result, Rust holds the distinction today of being the oldest Historically Black College and University in the state of Mississippi. Through the dedicated leadership of its past president, the outstanding achievements of its alumni, and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and core values, Rust College has forged an enduring legacy defined by academic excellence, community engagement, and social progress