1866
Shaw School was established in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church with Dr. A.C. McDonald as the first President
1867
The first building (McDonald Hall) was erected on the present campus.
1868
Institution chartered as Shaw University by the State of Mississippi
1870
The State of Mississippi authorized Shaw College to award degrees May 26
1878
First two college graduates were Robert Q. Adams and Wesley Thomas
1892
The name of the institution was changed from Shaw University to Rust University
1914
The institution was placed under the auspices of the Board of Education of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
1915
The name of the institution was changed from Rust University to Rust College.
1920
Dr. M.S. Davage became the first African-American President of the institution.
1924
Dr. L. M. McCoy, an alumnus, became Rust’s eighth president and served with distinction for 33 years (1924-1957).
1930
Ms. Natalie Doxey started the Rust College A’Cappella Choir. The Elementary School discontinued.
1940
The College experienced major disaster (Rust Hall burned). This five-story building housed administrative offices, the library, dormitories for men and women, dining hall, music department, auditorium, classrooms for college courses, and gymnasium.
1953
The high school department discontinued
1957
President Dr. Earnest A. Smith, an alumnus, became the 9th president (1957-1967).
1960
Erection of President’s Shrine representing nine (9) college presidents
1965
Completion of Wiff Dormitory, Gross Dormitory and McDonald Science Hall. Football at Rust discontinued. The G. I. Dormitory for male students was torn down to build the Science Building
1966
Institute for Community Services (ICS) Head start established
1967
Dr. W.A. McMillan became the tenth president. Served from 1967-1993
1969
The Leontyne Price Library completed.
1970
Rust College accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1970
Completed Davage-Smith dormitory, which houses 170 male students and E.L. Rust Hall which houses 196 female students
1971
New Physical Education Building completed (W. A. McMillan Center).
1974
Modular scheduling program instituted. Doxey Fine Arts Building completed
1974
Rust College accreditation reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
1979
Rust College listed as a historical site by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History
1981
R.A. and Ruth M. Brown Mass Communication Center housing WURC radio and RC-TV2 television station completed.
1984
Rust College accreditation reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1987
WURC, a non-commercial radio station, established on campus
1991
Emma Elzy Residence Hall completed
1992
Erection of Post Office/Student Washerette. Ervin “Magic” Johnson Sports Arena completed
1993
“A New Era: In Quest of Excellence” began with the eleventh President, Dr. David L. Beckley
1994
Rust College accreditation reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
1995
Official Rust College Flag adopted (designed by Lynn Deon Henry, class of 1998)
1996
World Peace Pole planted on campus. The first such pole in Mississippi
1999
John Davis Plant Operations Building was completed.
2000
David L. Beckley Conference Service Center was completed.
2001
Social Work Program received National accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education
2001
James A. Elam Chapel was completed.
2004
Rust College accreditation reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
2008
Hamilton Science Center was completed.
2008
Rust College acquired the campus of Mississippi Industrial College.
2011
Rust College received Airliewood, an antebellum former slave plantation estate a few blocks from the campus. Built in 1858, Airliewood served as living quarters for General Ulysses Grant during the Civil War
2013
Social Work Program accreditation reaffirmed by the Council on Social Work Education
2013
Rust College is named President Barack Obama's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The award is the highest honor a university or college can receive for civic and volunteer work in the community.
2013
Rust College was selected by Forbes Magazine as a Financially Fit Institution
2013
Rust College ranked as a Top Business School by EBONY Magazine
2014
Rust College accreditation was reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
2014
Rust College was added to the Mississippi Civil Rights Trail
2020
Dr. Ivy R. Taylor became the 12th and First Woman President
2024
Rust College was reaffirmed for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
