[2] With construction slated for the future, in October of that same year the principals behind the project decided to acquire a substantial residence to serve as a temporary building for the school.

[2] The Wichita home of Crokey, located on the corner of Central and Topeka Avenues, was obtained for this purpose at a cost of $4,000.

[2] Initial plans called for establishment of a school with academic departments in the fields of business, music, and art.

The Southwest Kansas Conference of the Methodist Church affirmed its connection with the college project at its April 1885 annual meeting at El Dorado.

There the regional division of the church formally decided to establish a college within the district, selecting a committee of 7 headed by Rev.

[4] This proved to be a preliminary gathering, however, at which guidelines for bids were established and interested communities made their initial presentations.

[5] Communities making initial appeals for the siting of the college included El Dorado, Harper, Newton, Peabody, Winfield, and Wichita.

An emphasis on service learning has led to nationally recognized programs in leadership, discipleship, and sustainability (green issues).

Six professional studies sites in three states allow students to earn their bachelor's degrees and selected master's programs in either a traditional classroom setting or online.

At the beginning of each school year, the "Moundbuilding Ceremony" allows students, faculty, alum, clubs, and guests of Southwestern College to place a rock on the Mound.

The name "Cliff-dwellers" was suggested but was ultimately scrapped for "Moundbuilders" after student Harry Hart wrote that "anybody could just dwell there, but 'builders' shows action."

Currently, to qualify for induction, students must be in the top 10% of all graduates who have completed at least 60 graded hours or more at Southwestern College.

Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field.