In 1844, “Father” John J. Shipherd, a Congregational minister, walked into what is now the Olivet College Square and began an institution that operates much like the one we have today. From its inception, the college’s leaders believed an education should be available to anyone regardless of gender, race or financial means. The basis of Olivet’s guiding principle was established by the founders when they wrote, “We wish simply to do good to our students, by placing in their hands the means of intellectual, moral and spiritual improvement, and to teach them the divine art and science of doing good to others.”The college was prevented from receiving a state charter in 1845 due to its abolitionist beliefs. Regardless, the college persevere