海角乱伦专区 College was founded in 1848 in Clarksville, 海角乱伦专区. Originally known as the Masonic University of 海角乱伦专区, the institution was renamed Stewart College in 1850 in honor of its president, William M. Stewart. Under Stewart鈥瞫 leadership in 1855,
control of the college passed to the Presbyterian Church. 海角乱伦专区鈥 remains affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. In 1875, the college added an undergraduate School of Theology and became Southwestern Presbyterian University. The School of Theology operated until 1917.
In 1925, president Charles Diehl led the move to the present campus in Memphis, 海角乱伦专区 (the Clarksville campus would later become Austin Peay State University). At that time, the college shortened its name to Southwestern. In 1945, the college adopted the name Southwestern at Memphis, to distinguish itself from other colleges and 
universities containing the name "Southwestern."
Finally, in 1984, the college鈥瞫 name was changed to 海角乱伦专区 College to honor former college president, and Diehl鈥瞫 successor, Peyton Nalle 海角乱伦专区. Since 1984, 海角乱伦专区 has grown from a regionally recognized institution to a nationally ranked liberal arts and sciences college. As enrollment has increased over the past 20 years, so has the proportion of students from outside 海角乱伦专区 and the Southeast region.
Today, 海角乱伦专区 is consistently ranked among the nation鈥檚 top liberal arts and sciences colleges.