Bethany College - Bethanian Yearbook (Bethany, WV)

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v ith his host. Some reflections of these associations are too meaningful to be expressed even here. His family life — so full of warmth and devotion — this we must leave in memorial chapel of the hearts of those who loved him most. We would tread softly e en as we pass by. Though he was president of Bethany yet because he was Cloyd Goodnight he was jnuch more than president. He was an interpreter of a whole people to themselves, their shepherd and their guide. Through speech, sermon, oration, and religious journal- ism was this service rendered. A service rich in content, diverse and apt in subject, persuasive and quickening, has it proved to be. His mind was rich and his heart was warm. From these came the philosophy that he applied to the concerns of human welfare. There is no need for me to go further or to dig deeper to find origins for this memorial. My own life here with him for ten years of intimate relationship with every experience drawmg me closer in affection and esteem bears testimony to my own personal feelings. I was the young Timothy of his ministry here and perhaps no single relationship in my whole life has found into my thinking and into my living a richer blessing of fine things. In President Goodnight one understood and felt the fineness of intellectual discrim- ination jomed with swiftness of mtcllcctual movement, delicacy of organization and temperament united with forcefulness of effort, fairness and keen sense of justice welded with a capacity for intense moral Indignation, the principles of the democrat lying close to the taste of the patrician, virility and tenderness made one with per- suasiveness and patience, geniality linked with self-respect, open-mlndedness vitalized with loyalty to high principles, contempt for cheapness and despising of vulgarity inter- woven with deepest human sympathies and, above all, a genuine love, both of heart and will, for the Kingdom of God. President Goodnight died in the prime of life and In the midst of great tasks, but his years were full of achievement and honor, and his colleagues on this faculty have an indelibly happy memory of associations and labors together for the goods of the good life. He was a personality of rare charm and a friend of rare distinction — a Christian gentleman and a scholar. To Bethany College and to each of us personally he gave of his best; ripest wisdom, devoted service, and Christian character. Fading away like the stars of the morning Losing their light in the glorious sun — Thus would we pass from earth and Its tolling Only remembered for what we have done. Shall we be missed though by others succeeded, Reaping the fields we in springtime have sown? No! For the sowers may pass from their labors. Only remembered for what they have done. Only the truth that In life we have spoken. Only the seed that on earth we have sown; These shall pass onward when we are forgotten, Fruits of the harvest and what we have done. Solo- — The Heavenly Song Gray Frank Greskovlch Rl PRl SrNTING THT CoLLI£GI£ AlUMNI Mr. Donald M. Salmon Past President of Alumni Association Bethany College has always emphasized the training of men for the Christian ministry. That objective was uppermost in the mind of Alexander Campbell when he founded this institution. He, himself was a master thinker and preacher. With such leadership at the beginning It does not seem unusual that each president has been a man of deep religious insight and conviction. President Goodnight carried forward this sacred trust. He understood thoroughly the place that Bethany has had In the development of the Disciples of Christ. He was convinced that the college would only fulfill its mission today In so far as it developed leadership for the churches of our brotherhood. Many of us have heard him express this .sentiment in conversation and in public addresses. 13

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President Goodnight felt the personality of the college and he was able to make others feel it as deeply. Knowledge and reflection upon, sacrifice for, and union with, a college develops such an appreciation. This feeling of and for Bethany as a person- ality was for all of us beautifully incarnated in President Goodnight himself. And from liim we caught the enthusiasm for such an appreciation in our own lives. President Goodnight never failed to emphasize high standards and sound scholar- •sliip. He sought the best in the way of faculty personnel, teaching procedures, and material equipment for the academic program of the college. The Library and labor- atories were constant concerns. In all these areas he pressed forward with all possible dispatch from the first day of his administration until the last. Only by the consistent and the unfaltering devotion of President Goodnight to this ideal did Bethany College move step by step into the front ranks of American Colleges. When he came to Bethany the college had not won its place in any accrediting association. Endowment, faculty and academic procedures could not satisfy the standards. He set himself to the task of clearing the ground — then building slowly until Bethany was approved by both the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In 192 8 Bethany was put on the approved list of the Association of American Universities which is the highest academic recognition that any college can receive. But he continued to press on. Bethany participated in the progressive studies conducted by the American Association of American Colleges. At the same time under his leadership our own curriculum and academic organization was completely rebuilt and many competent authorities in higher education have already acclaimed it for its progressive note and emphasis on scholarship. Without any attempt at comparison and with all honor and credit to the con- tribution and labors of each president of this historic institution I am confident that the administration of President Goodnight will be looked upon in the years to come as a time when Bethany College made its greatest strides in the direction of academic standing and sound scholarship. Above all the buildings that he built or reconstructed, above the great Increase in endowment and resources which he gathered; above the increase in educational equipment; above any and all of these. President Goodnight ' s service to this college will stand out in the future pre-eminently because of his emphasis UfHjn high standards and scholarship. As we well know. President Goodnight ' s own personal accomplishments on this campus represent an eloquent testimony to his Interest in academic things. I have on my desk now the manuscript for his very careful and discriminating study of Dr. Robert Richardson. It should make a book that will take its place beside the other great biographies of the Restoration Movement. The outlines for his courses in philosophy are there, too — carefully prepared, each page a tribute not alone to his personal in- tellectual acumen and facility, but to the stimulating power of his teaching technique. His personal library of nearly 4000 volumes at Pendleton Heights, soon to come into the possession of this Institution which honors him this day, represents an amazing selection of fine books — books of permanent worth — in philosophy, theology, sociology, education, and general literature. In faculty meetings his sound common sense, his ability to see the useful and true in divergent views, and his capacity to reconcile these views in some helpful synthesis was a rare power, which, coupled with his winning j ersonallty, was most effectively employed through these trying years of growth and change that have made up his ndminlstration. In a controversy or in discipline problems involving sham or wrong he was a hard hitter, a resolute, clean and effective fighter with ample courage. In the many experiences that we shared together, there was always a friendly camaraderie. When I came to the faculty of the college my work was set up in a very indefinite way — and I started, but from that day on I never had a word of instruction or criticism. I had confidence in him and he had confidence in me. It has been the same with every faculty member. Freedom, democracy, and loyalty — these were characteristic of his relationships with his colleagues. And it was more than a relationship — for we never saw him without feeling a sudden glow of pleasure, a desire to discuss some of the eternal problems that torment mankind, and a certainty of learning something interesting as to a new book, a current controversy, or an educational puzzle. My feelings do not permit me to omit a word about his home. He was a most genial host, and he entertained in his home nearly every guest of the college during all of these years — regardless of race, color or creed. He was of the old school to whom conversation was an art, not merely pleasing, but of high and serious character. No guest ever left Pendleton Heights without being greatly impressed and greatly delighted 12

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By training and choice of life work our president was a minister of the gospel. Hence, his vital interest in ministerial students. He was always concerned over the proportion of prospective ministers in the total enrollment. During my period of study here Dr. Goodnight began to teach courses in New Testament criticism. Many times since I have referred to my notes on the Synoptic Problem and the Pauline Epistles. The same systematic, logical thoroughness found in all of his work was carried into the class room. He patiently opened up the field of biblical criticism thus preparing us for intensive and comprehensive work later. He believed that men could learn how to preach by preaching. Appointments for student preaching were secured through his untiring efforts. Frequently he would stop a student on the campus to inquire as to the problem faced and the progress made. One was forced to marvel at his memory and depth of interest in personal problems. President Goodnight believed in a thoroughly trained ministry. His own training vas complete. He encouraged men to go to graduate school for more complete study. Our desires and hopes were stimulated by his own remarks and by addresses and con- ferences with leaders from theological schools. I recall a visit to our campus by Dean Brown of Yale in the spring of 1927. The dean spoke in chapel in the morning. Personal conferences were arranged for all men interested in graduate work. Our president converted his office into a conference room. A number of us settled the question that day as to where we were going to continue our preparation. Nor did Dr. Goodnight forget his boys when they entered graduate school. Letters preceded our registration. He visited the Divinity School once a year. The dean and members of the faculty welcomed him enthusiastically. He established a precedent through his visits not excelled by any other college president. His addresses to the entire student group were received heartily. One of the best meetings of the Campbell Club each year was that at which our president spoke. He knew the problems facing our men. He tackled the vital issues fearlessly. Questions were hurled at him. Discussion was free and frank. We were lifted from our place of isolation back into the heart of our brotherhood. We were introduced once more to the clearer under- standing of the message that the Disciples of Christ have to give to the cross-currents of religious thinking. If there was any wavering or doubting in our minds before, he pointed the way out. We can never forget those personal conferences arranged by Dr. John Clark Archer in Day Mission ' s library. Every moment of the president ' s time was taken up. He did not limit his interest to Bethany men only. All Disciple students found him to be a friend. He took names and addresses and those personal conferences were followed lip by an extensive correspondence. Those days of transition from school into the pastorate were his concern also. He did his best to place men in churches. The churches trusted his judgment. His honesty and frankness stimulated this confidence. But Dr. Goodnight ' s shepherding of his boys did not stop when positions were secured. Personal visits, preaching, letters, and conversation, all of these cemented the bond of friendship. When one would least expect it he would ask, What are you reading? A man ' s library was his chief concern. By precept and example he had demonstrated the value of worthwhile books. Who can ever estimate the value of his life? Like the Christ whom he knew and served, He gave his life for his sheep. He was a true under-shepherd. Representing the Student Body Mr. Ben Hamilton President, Student Board of Governors I have been granted the opportunity to express the feeling of loss experienced by the student body in the passing of our president. This chapel service has been dedicated to Dr. Cloyd Goodnight, friend, fellow student, and gentleman. We, of the student body will not, I believe, remember Dr. Goodnight as a scholar, nor in his capacity as the president of the college, but rather as a friend. The ability to make friendships is partly native and partly acquired, in this instance Dr. Good- night ' s native talent in this sphere was augmented by his genuine interest in those with whom he came in contact. Many men in capacities such as his, requiring so much of their time remain aloof from those who cannot by their position make a contribution to their work. 14