During the mid-1800s, a small band of farsighted men convened to form a college for "the mental and moral training of youth." They also pledged that "no person will be refused admission on account of Color, Caste or Sex." This was a bold move on the eve of the Civil War. As Presbyterian Church representatives, the founders selected the name Westminster Collegiate Institute. In 1852, Westminster became the first integrated and unrestricted coeducational college in the country. Today it is one of America's most admired small liberal arts colleges. Westminster remains on the cutting edge of teaching and learning while valuing the interaction between faculty and students. The New Wilmington campus has been home to successive generations of scholars who have gone on to excel in a wide range of endeavors. Westminster College serves as a tribute to the school's past and present students, preserving the images of their special memories and favorite places.