North Carolina College, a Lutheran educational institution in Mt. Pleasant, N.C., was founded as the Western Carolina Male Academy by decision of the North Carolina Synod of the Lutheran Church meeting at Concord, N.C., 1852. The school opened in 1853 under the presidency of William Gerhart. In 1859 the institution became the North Carolina College under D. H. Bittle and continued under that name until 1901. From 1902 until its closing in 1933, the institution operated as a secondary school known as the Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute. Presidents of the school included William Gerhart, 1855-1858; D. H. Bittle, 1859-1861; L. A. Bikle, 1866-1867, 1868-1874, and 1878-1881; C. F. Bansemer, 1867-1868; J. B. Davis, 1875-1877; G. D. Bernheim, 1882-1883; G. F. Schaeffen, 1883-1887; J. G. Schaidt, 1887-1889; J. D. Shirey, 1889-1896; M. G. Scherer, 1896-1899; E. Bowers, 1899-1900; and W. A. Lutz, 1900-1902. Others involved in the administration of the school included C. Melchor, John. L. Shimpock, L. G. Heilig, Mathias Barrier, Alex Foil, and Jonas Cook.
From the guide to the North Carolina College Papers, ., 1853-1892, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)
