Meredith College is a private women's liberal arts college and coeducational graduate school in Raleigh, North Carolina . As of 2021 Meredith enrolls approximately 1,500 women in its undergraduate programs and 300 men and women in its graduate programs.
19-578: Chartered by the First Baptist Church , the college first opened as the Baptist Female University in 1891 in a facility in downtown Raleigh. In 1904, the school's name was first changed to Baptist University for Women . In 1909, the school adopted its current name, Meredith College , to honor Thomas Meredith who was the founder of the Baptist newspaper The Biblical Recorder . In 1997,
38-658: A congregation be excluded from the CBF for disagreeing with core values or policies. In 2016, the CBF co-sponsored a conference on sexuality and initiated the "'Illumination Project' approved by the Governing Board (formerly the Coordinating Council) to develop models for the Fellowship community to air differences not only about the hiring ban but also other hot-button issues dividing churches, denominations and society". In 2018,
57-480: A five-year dual-degree program, whereby they can receive degrees from both Meredith and North Carolina State University's College of Engineering. To do this, students must major in either chemistry, computer science or mathematics at Meredith. Through this arrangement, students receive a B.A. from Meredith in chemistry, computer science or mathematics and a B.S. from NCSU in engineering. The college's Undergraduate Research Program supports student/faculty partnerships for
76-657: The Baptist Seminary of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky ; it is also the official seminary partner of the National Baptist Convention of America. The CBF also has a humanitarian organization. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, like the Southern Baptist Convention from which it split, does not enforce particular beliefs upon congregations, as is congruent with traditional Baptist theology; however,
95-622: The National Baptist Convention of America , similar to the American Baptist Churches USA and Progressive National Baptists fellowship agreement of 1970. There are CBF-affiliated churches in 43 out of the 50 states. Alongside the national CBF, there are 19 state and regional organizations that are affiliated with CBF and help provide churches with local resources. The CBF has a missionary organization, Global Missions. It has 1 affiliated theological institute,
114-631: The conservative resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention . It is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance , and headquartered in Decatur, Georgia . According to a census published in 2023, the CBF claimed 1,800 churches and 750,000 members. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has its origins in a meeting in Atlanta in 1990 of a group of theologically moderate churches within
133-458: The 200 Negro members organized a church of their own, while the 226 white members stayed at First Baptist. Charles Francis Meserve , was a member of the church and was licensed to preach at this location, despite not being ordained. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship ( CBF ) is a Baptist Christian denomination in United States , established after
152-498: The 2016 edition of U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges rankings. As of 2019 Meredith College is not included in this ranking as a southern regional university. As of August 2021 Meredith athletes compete in basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball. In August 2014 Meredith College announced the addition of track and field and in September 2019 announced
171-599: The Southern Baptist Convention and became a member of the Baptist World Alliance . By 2018, the Kentucky Baptist Convention within the Southern Baptist Convention proceeded with the excommunication of churches having a dual affiliation with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, due to a relaxation allowing hiring of non-executive LGBT staff. Since the first quarter of the 21st century, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship officially partnered with
190-405: The Southern Baptist Convention disagreeing about the control of the direction of the convention by fundamentalists , as well as the opposition to the ordination of women . The denomination was officially founded in 1991. By 1996, the fellowship had 1,400 churches and was still affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1998, it began ordaining chaplains. In 2002, it officially left
209-492: The addition of golf as well as field hockey. A member of the USA South Athletic Conference since 2007, Meredith has claimed 26 USA South championships, made 15 NCAA appearances, and had 300 student-athletes named all-conference and 670 to USA South All-American. First Baptist Church (Raleigh, North Carolina) First Baptist Church of Raleigh is located in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina . The church
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#1732869617740228-504: The college moved away from a direct connection with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Meredith began construction at the current location on Hillsborough Street near North Carolina State University in 1924, and students began attending classes there in 1926. The campus covers 225 acres (0.91 km) and is located close to both Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park . In 1980 an angel
247-722: The denomination has a Baptist confession of faith . The CBF's "understanding of Baptist faith and practice is expressed by [their] emphasis on freedom in biblical interpretation and congregational governance, the participation of women and men in all aspects of church leadership and Christian ministry, and religious liberty for all people." The CBF also ascribes to the "Four Fragile Freedoms" as developed in The Baptist Identity: Four Fragile Freedoms by Walter Shurden. CBF leadership interprets these freedoms as: soul freedom, Bible freedom, church freedom, and religious freedom. Affirmation of women in ministry
266-423: The most popular majors are Psychology, Biology/Biological Sciences, Business Administration and Management, Child Development and Social Work. Upon completion of an undergraduate major, students can receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Social Work. The John E. Weems Graduate School is coeducational. Undergraduate students who wish to study engineering can participate in
285-512: The production a secret up until the students see them on stage. As of 2021, Meredith College was ranked #136 in the category of Best Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report , was ranked #119 by Forbes among "In The South", and was categorized by The Princeton Review in the Best Southeastern category. Meredith College was ranked fifth among regional colleges in the South in
304-794: The purposes of academic research and creative activity in all fields. College funds support these projects and underwrite travel costs for students presenting their work at conferences. The college hosts an annual one-day research conference in April to present work of Meredith students. Meredith College is noted for its traditions, which range from the Honor Code to Cornhuskin', a yearly weeklong festival encouraging competition between graduating classes. Meredith College also celebrates its Founder's Day every year. During each college generation, faculty perform Alice in Wonderland for students, keeping their involvement in
323-449: Was chosen as the school sports mascot, but in the summer of 2007 this was changed to the "Avenging Angels". In April 2022, the school renamed Joyner Hall, named for white supremacy advocate James Yadkin Joyner, as part of its anti-racism initiatives. 38 majors are offered at Meredith, as well as licensure, graduate, and pre-professional programs. According to U.S. News & World Report
342-573: Was one of the founding principles of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Most CBF members agree that both men and women may be ordained as ministers or deacons and serve as pastors of churches. On social issues, the CBF does not issue position statements. CBF members agree that as it is a fellowship of autonomous churches, issuing statements would be beyond its purpose. It does have an organizational policy on homosexual behavior. However, CBF policies are not binding on individual congregations which make their own decisions regarding any issue; neither can
361-567: Was the first Baptist church in the city of Raleigh, organized in 1812, and is one of the oldest churches in the area. The church is located on 99 North Salisbury Street, directly across the street from the Capitol. First Baptist Church is affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). The Church began in 1812 with 23 members, 14 of whom were "Negro slaves." By 1826 there were 157 black members, and 77 white members. In 1866
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