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Hiwassee College was a private college in Madisonville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1849, the college offered associate degrees as well as bachelor's degrees. The majority of its associate degree graduates went on to complete bachelor's degrees elsewhere. The college closed on May 10, 2019, due to financial issues.
In 1854, John Hamilton Brunner became the second president of Hiwassee College. Brunner made the decision to close the college from 1861 to 1865 during the Civil War. In 1870, Francis Grace became president of the college; however, Brunner returned in 1872 and remained president until 1883.
During most of the 1880s, Hiwassee was associated with Victoria College for women in nearby Sweetwater, Tennessee. In 1891, Sidney Gilbreath would become president. Under his tenure, the college opened to women in 1894. In 1899, he was succeeded by Joseph E. Lowry. Under his tenure, Lawrence Hall dormitory was added and the college officially affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Electricity was first available on campus in 1917, and the Massey home, the New Administration building, and Key Chapel were all built. In 1924, Martin Reedy took over as president and oversaw the construction of the Gymnasium. Under the tenure of President Rudy Youell, the dining hall, Rawlings home, and Rymer Hall were built.
In 1955, Dr. Horace N. Barker became president of the college. Under his leadership, most of the current buildings on campus were constructed including the Lundy Science Hall (1961), the Rudy Youell Physical Education Facility (1965), Allison Hall dormitory (1965), Tom Black Hall dormitory (1965), the Barker Learning Center (1969), and Buckner Memorial Chapel (1969). The Barker Learning Center is named for him He retired in 1980. During Barker's tenure, Dr. James H. Amburgey served as the academic dean at the college. Upon Barker's retirement, Amburgey became the college president and served until 1984. Following Amburgey was Dr. Stephen Fritz.
In 2003, Dr. James A. Noseworthy became the college's 21st president. Hiwassee College was accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, but in 2008 their accreditation was withdrawn. Noseworthy sought to save the school, despite its troubles. During this time, it went from 400 students to only 100. On November 3, 2009 it attained candidacy status for accreditation as a Category II institution by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). Noseworthy retired in April 2010.
In 2011, Dr. Robin Tricoli was named the 22nd President of Hiwassee College. Under her tenure, the college attained full accreditation through TRACS in October 2013 and reaffirmed in 2018.
The Hiwassee College Alumni Association Inc. (HCAA) submitted a non-cash offer for the college and its debt in July 2019 with hopes of reopening the college. The campus was put up for sale on January 2, 2020 for $8.6 million dollars. The offering Memorandum states, " The Trustees of Hiwassee College now intend to divest the real property owned by the college, and as such are offering the property for sale."
In January 2020, a former trustee of the college, William Harmon, a Maryville, Tennessee doctor, sued the college for return of his $100,000 donation earmarked for construction of a new library which was to be named in his honor. According to its website, Harmon was the college's board of trustees secretary. Harmon wants the Monroe County, Tennessee Chancery Court to find that the donation must paid back to him once the college sells. In light of the suit, the Comptroller of the Treasury of Tennessee conducted an investigation of the college. The investigative report found "operating deficiencies related to disbursements, travel reimbursements, and the release of restrictions on monetary gifts."
The land and buildings were listed for sale with an asking price of $6 million. They were sold to the Bruderhof in late 2020.
Hiwassee competed in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, shooting and soccer; while women's sports included basketball, cross country, cheerleading, soccer, softball and volleyball.
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