Central Methodist University (formerly known as Central Methodist College and also known as Central College or CMU) is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Fayette, Missouri. CMU is an accredited four year institution of higher education and offers masters, bachelors, and associates degrees. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. On April 13–14, 1853, Central Methodist University was founded by Nathan Scarritt and David Rice McAnally. The college was chartered by the Missouri General Assembly on March 15, 1855. It came about due largely to the diligent work of Nathan Scarritt and David Rice McAnally. Classes began on September 18, 1857, on a 1-acre (4,000 m) campus with an enrollment of 114 students and a faculty of three. Samuel C. Major was the first graduate, in 1858. In about 100 years the school grew to a campus of 55 acres (220,000 m), enrollment of over 1,000 students and a faculty of 65. The college was inoperative from June 1861 to June 1868 because of the Civil War vacant February 1878 - April 1878 due to death of President Wills Central Methodist's main campus is in Fayette, Missouri.