At 02:54 PM 13/04/2003, Nedra Dickman Brill wrote: >... Bridgewater College at Bridgewater, VA, which was founded by the >Church of the Brethren ... Certainly Bridgewater College has always had close the Church of the Brethren but it apparently was not officially founded by them. What the relationship between the Church and Bridgewater College has been over the years (other than close) I am uncertain of. From the Bridgewater College Web pages: Bridgewater was established in 1880 as Spring Creek Normal and Collegiate Institute by Daniel Christian Flory, an alumnus of the University of Virginia and a young progressive leader in the Church of the Brethren which was organized in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708 by Alexander Mack. Additions, corrections and comments are always appreciated. Walt Flory 2nd cousin, twice removed of D. C. Flory

From the history page at the Bridgewater College web page: The Church of the Brethren, a pietistic and pacifistic Christian body with which Bridgewater has been associated since its founding, had as a part of its teachings a recognition of the supreme right of every person - regardless of race, sex, class, or clan - to the full development of his or her powers. As a result, Bridgewater became the first co-educational liberal arts college in Virginia and one of the few accredited colleges of its type in the South which was not greatly disturbed by the Supreme Court's desegregation decision of 1954. Bridgewater's heritage and institutional idealism has determined that its educational program should emphasize ethical and spiritual values. This emphasis on values can be discerned in the course offerings in religion, in the convocation programs, in an inclination to think well of people, in the stress placed on inner-directed character, and in a strong social consciousness. and, their mission statement: Mission Statement The mission of Bridgewater College is to educate and develop the whole person. Our graduates will be equipped to become leaders, living ethical, healthy, useful and fulfilling lives with a strong sense of personal accountability and civic responsibility. This mission is carried out in a learning community, with Christian values, high standards of integrity and excellence, affirming and challenging each member. http://www.bridgewater.edu/ Curt Malone