McPherson College

McPherson College stands out as a unique institution, renowned for its pioneering Automotive Restoration Technology program, a field where it leads globally. This distinctive program attracts students passionate about preserving automotive history, offering hands-on experience and connections to industry legends like Jay Leno, a long-time supporter and advisory board member. The college's commitment to practical, specialized education, combined with a strong liberal arts foundation, creates a truly engaging learning environment.

The college's history began with a vision from the Church of the Brethren in 1887 to establish an educational center west of the Mississippi. Opening its doors in 1888 with 60 students, McPherson College quickly grew, officially adopting its name in 1898. Over the decades, it has been a place of innovation, from J. Willard Hershey's early synthetic diamond experiments in 1926 to becoming a charter member of Brethren Colleges Abroad in 1962, fostering global perspectives.

A pivotal moment in McPherson's recent history was a transformative anonymous donation. Following a successful matching campaign in 2022-2023, where the college secured $342 million in outside pledges, the initial donor delivered a full $500 million gift and then pledged an additional $500 million estate gift. This incredible generosity has propelled McPherson College's endowment to an astounding $1.59 billion, making it one of the largest for a small liberal arts college in the United States and securing its future for generations of students. This financial strength underscores the college's stability and its capacity to invest further in its distinctive academic offerings and student experience.