Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

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75 Years of HISTORY W. S. Lee 1880-1885 R. P. Smith 1885-1888 rRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE be- gan humbly and obscurely with a dedicated man ' s dream to serve better his people and his God. Today, in this 75th anniversary year, the institution looks back up- on a challenging history of struggle and self-sacrifice, of the blessing touched by the lives of great men, and of a vast throng of young lead- ers sent forth in Christian service. The Rev. William P. Jacobs, pastor of Clinton ' s First Presbyterian Church and the founder of Thorn- well Orphanage, established Clin- ton College in 1880 to supplement the education of his orphans. The school became The Presbyterian College of South Carolina ten years later, and another charter change in 1904 brought the institution under full control of the Synod of South Carolina. Georgia Presbyterians threw their full support behind the college in 1928, and this joint control brought an expansion of influence and support. Prof. W. S. Lee served as first president, from 1880-85. There were 90 students attending the college and its preparatory school in 1882, and the first graduating class in 1883 had three members — one of these the daughter of Founder Jacobs. J. W. Kennedy 1888-1890 J. I. Cleland 1891-1894 E. C. Murray 1894-1897 Fifteen

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William Plumer Jacobs Founder oj Presbyterian College 1842-1917

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W. G. Neville, 1904-1907 D. M. Douglas, 1911-1926 Robert T. Adams 1907-1910 Three buildings (including Alum- ni Hall, later renovated into the present Doyle Infirmary) and 16 acres of campus constituted the college property as it came into the hands of South Carolina Synod in 1904. At this point Dr. W. G. Nev- ille assumed the presidency and ush- ered in a period of great advance- ment, although he did not live to see much of his work comple ted. Build- ings came in this order: the Admin- istration Building (now Neville) , in 1907; Laurens Hall, in 1907; and Judd Dining Hall, in 1908 (expanded in 1923). Another great leader in the per- son of Dr. D. M. Douglas came in 1911. And during the 15 years of his presidency, the present campus plan of grounds and buildings was laid out, and he raised funds to pro- vide Spencer Hall, in 1912; W. P. Jacobs Science Hall, in 1915; Smyth Dormitory, in 1924; LeRoy Springs Gymnasium, in 1924 (indoor swim- ming pool added in 1929) . Dr. John McSween followed Dr. Douglas by a few years in 1928, and he gave to Presbyterian College an energetic leadership and a deep re- ligious influence throughout the early years of the world-wide finan- cial depression which ranked him among PC ' s finest leaders. The present President ' s Home was giv- en in 1929. Dr. William P. Jacobs II, grand- son of the founder, became presi- dent in 1935 during desperate hours of the lingering depression. Through his efforts, the college found in- creased stability and was in a po- sition to move forward once more Sixteen