1892 - 1912
现在的bet365备用网址最早起源于Poplarville, Mississippi, when the noted educator W. I. Thames opened Pearl River Boarding School in 1892. As did many institutions of its day, Pearl River Boarding School offered "elementary, preparatory, and some college work." A disastrous fire destroyed the school in 1905, 并努力争取支持,在Poplarville建立一所新学校,名为南密西西比学院. The efforts were not successful, and Professor Thames moved to Hattiesburg where, with the backing of a group of New Orleans businessmen, he opened South Mississippi College in 1906. Little is known of Pearl River Boarding School, but South Mississippi College, under the leadership of Professor Thames as its president, quickly gained a reputation for having a strong faculty, especially in art, music, history, and home economics. After a fire destroyed the immense administration building, including classrooms, library and a 1500-seat auditorium, the young institution was forced to close.
In 1911, W. S. F. Tatum, wealthy lumberman and Methodist layman, acquired the property and offered it as a gift to the Baptists. 他提出了两个条件:成功开办一所女子基督教学校五年,第一年至少招收一百名学生. 这处房产包括两栋幸存下来的框架建筑和十英亩的空地. 成立了一个公司来拥有和控制学院,从bet365备用网址的浸信会教堂中选出九名受托人. In September, 1911, the school opened again with a new name, Mississippi Woman's College, under the leadership of President W. W. Rivers. In November, 1911, 这所没有债务的大学被提供给密西西比浸信会,并被接受了.