Eastern University - Log Yearbook (St Davids, PA)

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EASTERNCS HISTORY FROM RITTENHOUSE SQUARE TO SI DA VIDS The chaotic depression year of 1932 saw the seemingly inauspicious birth of Eastern Baptist Col- lege as the Pre-theological Department of Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, then situated at Ritten- house Square in the heart of Philadelphia. In the following decades, expansion of both Seminary and College Department was remarkable. By 1950, the Department had grown to become an integral part of the seven-year course of study offered by the Seminary, which had during these years moved out to City Line and Lancaster Avenue in Overbrook. Should the thriving, adolescent college division re- main with the mother seminary or launch out on its own to become a separate, sister organization? This became the pivotal question facing the Administra- tion and demanding their immediate attention. The opportunity for separation and expansion presented itself in 1951, an epochal year in the his- tory of the College. Quite by accident, the trustees of the Seminary learned of the lovely, picturesque estate of Walmarthon in St. Davids, in 'disuse and available for purchase. On April 17th of that year, the Board of Trustees voted to buy the property, then belonging to Charles S. Walton, Jr., present Chair- man of the Board of Trustees of Seminary and Col- lege and son of the eminent businessman, philanthro- pist, civil leader and builder of Walmarthon, the late Charles Spittall Walton, Sr. The move to St. Davids and the grant of a sepa- rate corporation charter gave the College the au- thority to grant separate degrees and enabled the faculty of the College to expand and to more ably Eastern's infancyeRittenhouse Square. W-tit o1: ll . 4-1 -. 14.1;qu prepi mant credi leges furthi Baph Th chhd conw facul lhcou Hngi ter unhl hog- ium, PUVP daH

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PROI OGUE The old and +he new s+and fused info a +imeless presenf on +he campus of Easfern Bap+is+ College as The Log looks in re+ro- specl' a+ l958-59. The lasl' several years have been years in which memories have been crea+ed on +he S'l'. David's campus-lhey have been years in which growl'h has been s+imula+ecl. and in which faifh has been conver+ed in+o ac+uali+y. Easlern has grown in +radi+ion and in cle- vofion +0 +he ideal of Chrisl'ian educal'ion. even as she has grown in number and in malerial assefs. To such a college as Easl'ern. +he fulure promises much-no+ only in +he area of physical growl'hI buf also in +he far-reach- ing wifness of her s+uden+ body. Already her gradual'es fill posifions of service and influence in various widely scaH'ered fields. fulfilling +he command which is cenl'ral in her embleme Go ye.ll As The Log a++emp+s +0 record a por+ion of +he gradual mefamorphasis under which Easl'ern is going. if in reali+y aH'empl's +0 record a par+ of +he people who are +he livingI vi+al Easl'ern which will be remem- bered. Thisl +he I959 Log, is l'henI a log of ano'rher year af Easfern Bap'l'isl' College. prepared for. and presenl'ed +0 each mem- ber of +he Easl'ern family. wxs,7, W 4 V' g WMy g 9 y 7 W 27 a x 7X m

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Reminiscent of scenes of European grandeur, the Walton estate was the epitome of luxuriant living. prepare students, now a co-educational group, for many walks of life in addition to the ministry. Full ac- creditation by the Middle States Association of Col- leges and Secondary Schools, awarded in 1954, further enhanced the academic appeal of Eastern Baptist as a small, liberal arts college. The stately main building of Walmarthon, since christened Walton Hall by the College, was soon converted into classrooms, and administrative and faculty oftices. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, blooming perennial, and proudly overlooking spark- ling Willow Lake, Walton Hall is the inspiring cen- ter of much activity, from early in the morning until late at night. Meals are served in the ma- hogany-panelled dining room and adioining solar- ium, the latter just recently employed for this purpose. Until this year, worship services were held daily in the chapel of Walton Hall, but the steadily Atrmhnxmmx Converted to classroom facilities, the Walton estate house is now the center of all campus activity.