Berea College - Chimes Yearbook (Berea, KY)

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Many things have necessarily been omitted in such a brief history. However, no one can overlook the splendid work of our labor program and the benefits the mountain people have derived from it. This labor program, it must be remembered, is a part of the students ' education and an integral part of the history of the college. So ends a history of the first one hundred years, fluctuating between men and cir- cumstance. So ends the history of the first one hundred years without using the words heroic or courageous, but we hope that in some small measure the reader will imagine the real heroism and courage which the times, not always favorable, drew out of the makers of Berea ' s history. Present-day Alumni Office at the time when it was a Church Memories . . . . U COLLEGE BAND —11—

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Naval V-12 Unit The expanding Berea was forced in 1925, for the first time, to refuse admission to mountain students even though they had graduated from accredited high schools. Since then many applications have been refused due to the limited facilities. This can be understood by the fact that at the beginning of William J. Hutchins ' term there were only 253 students enrolled in the college courses of Berea. When he retired, this number had increased to school and a 4-year college. over 400. By 1930 Berea obtained full standing in the Southern Association and made the approved list of the Association of American Universities. The endowment of the college, rose from slightly over a million to more than $10,000,000. So ends the administration of William J. Hutchins, a man interested in Berea becoming the center of culture for the mountain people. Francis S. Hutchins, son of William J. Hutchins, was chosen to become the fifth president when he was only 37. It is difficult to evaluate the work of a contemporary pres- ident. Usually such a history is not written until he has completed his duties. Even so, let us note a few develop- ments. First was the organization of the college into an upper (Junior and Senior) division and a lower division (second year in high school to second year of college) plus the establishment of Foundation School as a Junior High. This later gave way to the present system of high school and four year college. During the Second World War, Berea admitted a Naval V-12 unit to train officers. From 1943 until 1945 the records indicate that 783 men were given an education here, with several returning for their degrees. After the war, housing units were built to accommodate married vet- erans who wished to continue their schooling. It was under this administration that the following changes took place. Humanities, Biological Science, West- ern Civilization, and Social Science were added to the curriculum. The use of testing as a method of classifying students was used more extensively. The Director of ' Ad- mission office was established to replace some of the work done previously by the Registrar. Berea continued to grow both in size and endowment. Anna Smith dormi- tory and the completion of the Science Building are further proof of this growth. —10—

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Memories . . . .