The curriculum and purpose of the institution was set forth as "arts and sciences and all necessary and useful branches of a thorough and useful education such as may be taught in the best female colleges and academies".
[2] At an elevation of 961 feet (293 m) MSL,[3] this institution occupied a commanding eminence in the city of Xenia, and was accessible by railroads from all parts of Ohio.
The buildings were commodious and well furnished, and from their situation, pupils had the fresh air, quietness and scenery of the country, with the privileges of the city.
The incorporators were Thomas Coke Wright, David Barr, Joseph A. Coburn, Abraham Hivling, Dr. Joshua Martin, Roswell F. Howard, Daniel Martin, Hugh McMillen, Thomas S. Towler, Joseph G. Gest, William B. Fairchild and James J. Winans.
The incorporators held their first business meeting on June 1, 1850, and organized by electing Daniel Martin president and Joseph A. Coburn secretary.
[1] The school year of 1850–51 was such a success that the trustees felt justified in proceeding with the collection of funds for the erection of a new building for the academy.
This committee made its final report on July 30, 1851, and recommended that the building be erected on East Church street.
On July 22, the trustees had re-elected Dr. Thomas S. Towler superintendent for another year, and on the 30th of the month, the day the committee reported their selection of the new site, the board of trustees appointed Hugh McMillen, David Barr and Superintendent Towler as a committee to take charge of the erection of the building.
The board elected Mrs. Lewis Wright and Mary Eliza Harbison as assistants to Superintendent Towler, these two teachers continuing with the academy during the two succeeding years.
The Presbyterians had a female school of their own in Xenia, but the Methodists were not altogether certain that it would be the right thing to allow their daughters to attend such an institution.
[1] The church agreed to assume the control of the school under certain conditions: First, that US$6,000 should be raised in Xenia and immediate vicinity for the purpose of building a boarding-house and making other stipulated improvements, and secondly, that the trustees of the academy should transfer to the church a sufficient amount of stock in order to give it a controlling interest in the school.
[1] The full amount was raised by February 15, 1853, or at least it was guaranteed by Dr. Joshua Martin, Michael Nunnemaker, Alfred Trader, Nathan Nesbitt, I. S. Drake and Casper L. Merrick.
With these conditions met, the church assumed the management of the academy, a control which was maintained through all the successive changes in name and policy of the institution until it was closed.
O. M. Spencer became the head of the school, being succeeded on August 4, 1858, by William Smith, A. M., who was to remain in charge for a quarter of a century.
[1] In 1868, the Cincinnati Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church reported that the institution, open to both men and women, had a prosperous year.
The buildings were ample and well arranged for school purposes; the grounds were large and well shaded with beautiful forest trees; and the location was one of the most accessible in Ohio.
A special Normal Class was taught in the college buildings during a summer session, and a large number of teachers availed themselves of this opportunity.