Westminster College - Argo Yearbook (New Wilmington, PA)

Page 14 text:

fl' 9 4 'A G, ,Y.. Q. A' t . i i'iT'Q2 2 , is 5 . Y ,f,f -' , .Q 'U i ' Q Q 4 5 A s o 5 1 A 2 ,ig 1 A 1 ' L 1 7 34 . K ' ed- ' ,,,' 'A - ciiffilliikitiiuilltgg , ,M '1 5 iyjifi M A 1 QW' V 3 pw In fi' . . ---- H ' :..:2'.,:tL'.5:1..f A' 1 A i 5 i ,,..,. . . .,k., w x ' Z l l - 21? ' '- 1 ' - a., , N 1 ' gy V, V 4 A 0 A ggi? , are s . 1 1 - .1 l . 8 'fiifr 'P A T, I gl X fl 1855 x X 1861 8 .U A Founded by the Associate, now the United Presbyterian Church. Char- tered 1852. One of the first two colleges in Pennsylvania to grant degrees to women, and the first to grant them the A. B. degree, in 1857. These few words on a signpost in the square of New Wilmington give the passer-by some knowledge of the tradi- tions and history that are Westminster's. Westminster was founded in 1852. The establishment of such a college was first discussed in 1851 by members of the Associate Church who lived in the Lawrence county area. ln January of 1852 the forming of a church school was discussed by members of both the Shenango and Ohio Presbyteries meet- ing in New Wilmington. ln April of that year the first session opened with women being admitted on an equal basis with men. In 1858 the Associate Church and the Associate Reformed Church ioined to form the United Presbyterian Church, under whose care the college was placed, making Westminster the first United Presbyterian college. Twenty students were enrolled in that first session, and classes were held in a small, two-story house. This tiny building housed two class rooms upstairs and an assembly room downstairs. To- day Westminster has more than a thous- and students, including a graduate de- partment in education, 20 buildings, and a centennial program aiming at further college expansion.

Page 13 text:

1 IUUYEARSU1' EDUSATION 1852+-1952 7

Page 15 text:

The Hrd'studentto be graduated was William P. Shaw, a preministerial student from New Castle. Five thous- and others have followed him since that first commencement in 1854. That year there were seven teachers in the college, today Westminster's faculty numbers rnorethan 80. The Ent Adnnnhhanon buHdmg was erected in 1855. lt was destroyed by fire in 1861. The building which re- placed it became known as Old Main. ln 1878 the original gym, a barn-like structure, was built. It was a crude building used primarily for exercises and not equipped for sport contests. It was not until 1895 that the board authorized a gym program, hiring a physical direc- tor, and making physical education com- pulsory at the discrimination of the facuHy. In 1884, Hillside was constructed. H then served as the Conservatory of Music and a Ladies' Hall. The Mary Thompson Science Hall was erected in 1893, and two years later the Clarke Chemical Lab was added, forming the present Science Hall. The building now used for the Conservatory of Music was built in 1906. It was used chiefly for re- ligious life and worship. Glee clubs were formed and informal recitals were given in the afternoons as part of the music course. Instrumental equipment increased greaHy unHlin 1908 the de- parhnentcould boastofthe bestequip- ment in the country. Two additional buildings were purchased for immediate use because of a large increase in the student body. 25 1893 1929