The Muskingum Academy, completed late that year, became the first institution of its kind in the Northwest Territory, providing "classical instruction ... in the higher branches of an English education."

[4][5] The academy eventually evolved into a college, initially chartered as the Marietta Collegiate Institute and Western Teachers' Seminary on January 16, 1833.

However, this institution lacked the critical authority to grant degrees, so a wholly new charter was approved two years later, bringing the renamed Marietta College into existence on January 16, 1835.

[6] Marietta College is a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts institution, requiring students to complete courses in Quantitative Reasoning, Artistic Expression, Civilization & Culture, Social Analysis, and Scientific Inquiry regardless of their major track.

[19] The Pioneers compete in 22 varsity sports, including teams in crew, baseball, basketball, football, women's volleyball, track & field, cross country, tennis, soccer, and softball.

By repeating as the national champions in 2011 and 2012 the Pioneers became the first team to do that in NCAA Division III play since the Rowan Profs won back-to-back championships in 1978 and 1979.

[21] Five former Pioneer baseball players—Kent Tekulve, Duane Theiss, Jim Tracy, Terry Mulholland and Matt DeSalvo—have reached the Major League level.

[22] Alumni include two-time Olympian and CEO of Boathouse Sports, John Strotbeck Jr., and 2003 World Championship silver medalist in the USA Lightweight Eight, Andrew Bolton.