Provided by Rust College

Rust College's mission is to grant access to higher education for individuals who are, or have potential to be, academically talented, regardless of their social, economic, or educational background. This mission includes the holistic development of students, with the goal of helping students reach their full potential as human beings by becoming contributing members of society, prepared for life in a pluralistic, complex and technological society, and enabled to understand other cultures.

RUST COLLEGE is a historically Black, coeducational, senior liberal arts college founded in 1866 by the Freedman's Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The College is related to the United Methodist Church, and dedicated to serving students with a variety of academic preparations, through instruction in the humanities, social behavior sciences, natural science, business, technology and education.

Rust College recognizes the three-fold function of education as being teaching, research, and community service. Its primary mission, however, is teaching. It offers a well-rounded program designed to acquaint students with cultural, moral, and spiritual values, both in theory and in practice. Rust College provides an opportunity for education to all, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, or ethnic background. Rust College maintains an academic environment that fosters a love of learning, a spirit of independent inquiry, the free exchange of ideas, a broad and active Christian life, and a concern for the world at large.

President McDonald gave the criterion for testing this purpose: "By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them," which is the motto of Rust College, and a good criterion for its purpose. While the elements of the purpose as originally stated by President McDonald remain in essence, the scope and expression of the purpose have expanded and must be expressed in terms of complexities and demands of education in a more complex and sophisticated society.

The Rust College academic program offers degrees in sixteen areas of study. The curriculum is organized under five divisions to include the required general education program, major and minor areas of study and electives.

Rust College offers major areas of study in liberal arts and sciences. In some areas pre-professional programs are designed for students who want to continued advanced professional study after their graduation from Rust College. A minor is at least fifteen (15) semester hours in a major area of study.

Rust College’s area of Student Affairs is responsible for many of the outside-the-classroom aspects of student life. The area has many components that play an integral role in the lives of students. Among these are: Dean for Student Affairs, Residence Life Education, Health Education and Services, Campus Police, Religious Life Education, and Student Activities.

These entities work collectively as a team to carry out the mission of the area and the college while assisting in student learning and development by providing quality programs and services that enhances students’ educational experience and prepare students to be contributing members of society.