Brevard College - Pertelote Yearbook (Brevard, NC)

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Registration is always a headache lor students. Old Dunham was the of activity on campus in the BREVARD COLLEGE Weaver And Rutherford Merge Coltrane chosen to head new school. After the decision to merge Ruther- ford and Weaver Colleges, the newly formed Board of Trustees chose Dr. E.J. Coltrane to be the first president of Brevard College. Dr. Coltrane be- lieved ill education, Christianity, and self-help. He would guide the school along these principles. Dr. Coltrane and his wife arrived in June of 1934 to prepare the college for its opening in September of 1934. Dr. Coltrane had two ideals in mind for his college. Brevard would continue the Christian traditions of Rutherford and Weaver, and would also become a Co- operative enterprise. The majority of the campus renovations were per- formed by students. The summer was not an easy one. Dr. Coltrane used his own savings, plus a loan on his life in- surance to assure the school ' s opening. Brevard opened her doors two weeks behind schedule. The day the students were expected, the news came that the kitchen utensils would not arrive on time, so Camp Carolina came to the rescue. They lent the school all of their utensils, enough for 150 people. Those first few meals must have been interesting because there were approximately 400 students try- ing to share silverware. Many of the beds did not arrive on time either. Sev- eral students slept on the floor of their rooms that first night. Since it was the first year of the school, many traditions were started. The student council. Homecoming, and May Day were instituted. The Pertc- lote had its first publication. Brevard ' s royal blue and white school colors were chosen. The school motto, La- bor, Learn, Live, and a school seal were chosen. Numerous traditions from the merged colleges were contin- ued: sports teams, literary societies, clubs, and the Tornado mascot. Dr. Coltrane ' s idea of a cooperat- ive enterprise worked. Students did all the janitorial, farm, and kitchen work. During the first year of opera- tion all but two of the students worked. Most of the $200 bill was re- duced to nothing through work. A few years later students would combine their talents and build a gym. During the second year the school newspaper. The Clarion, was first pub- lished-, several plays were performed, and the first Religious Emphasis Week was held. World War II had a great impact on the students. Most of the male popula- tion was drafted. The college devel- oped a Civil Defense Program. The girls made bandages and were used as spotters to check for planes. The di- minishing male population had its ef- fect on the faculty too. Miss Nancy Blanton, a physical education teacher, became the varsity coach and teacher for the boys. Dr. Coltrane began an accelerated program during this time. This enabled a student to accomplish two years of high school a nd two years of college in three years. The program was useful after the war too. Veterans used it to finish school quicker and therefore to start work sooner. The accelerated program lasted until 1947. When the war was over the veterans poured into the campus. Soon the cam- pus was overflowing, and extra hous- ing had to be built quickly. Temporary barracks were built from Army surplus buildings. These were built where the Bryan Moore Science building stands. College students had four buildings, and there were apartments for mar- ried students. It has been said diapers flying in the breeze became an emblem of the college. Soon other wooden buildings were going up, a cafeteria and another classroom building were added. Ross Hall was turned into facul- ty housing after a fire made renova- tions necessary. Brevard College was doing well. Dur- ing 1947-48, two new buildings were

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home community. The girls shared all of the household chores: cooking, sweeping, dusting, serving, and laun- dry work. Every student was expected to spend an hour daily on duty work. The Institute was not a college but a high school. The usual courses were offered along with special classes in piano and voice, bookkeeping, short- hand, typewriting, agriculture, dress- making, millinery, household econom- ics, lace-making, and ironing. The In- stitute prepared young women to teach lower grades in rural schools. The music department taught specially designed courses to prepare students to teach music. The students were re- quired to have 4 years of drill, knowl- edge of theory and harmony, and instructions in the teaching of music. Seniors in the music department had pupils under their direction. The com- mercial department helped students prepare themselves for better posi- tions in commercial life. Pupils in the dressmaking department were offered courses in sample sewing, cutting, fit- ting, and garment making. The milli- nery class made frames, bands, and wire hats. They also practiced trim- ming hats. Apparently, the Institute tried to treat students with great respect. They (the I nstitute) made as few rules as possible. The reason was that only those rules that would apply as fully after graduation as before would be An aerial view showing Brevard Institute and the surrounding countryside. enforced. But those who did not abide by the rules could find life unbearable. Brevard Institute fulfilled its mis- sion. Young women and men learned the necessary skills for succeeding in their day and expanded their worlds at the same time. The value of the Institute has long been recognized. The following quote explains why the Institute was so important to this area. Hundreds of young people had been provided an education at a time when public education was almost non- existent. Attendance grew from one student in 1895 to over 300 boys and girls in 1926. By 1933. due to tremen- dous strides in public education, en- rollment had dropped to 33 students. The Institute ' s job was done as far as a primary and secondary education was concerned. The Fitch Taylors ' dream of education had been fulfilled. So end- ed an era. (Transylvania Times 9 18 75) On July 28. 1933 Brevard Institute closed and relocated its program at Vashti school in Thomasville, Georgia. The Women ' s Missionary Council sold the Institute property to the Western North Carolina Conference as a site for the planned merger of Rutherford and Weaver Colleges. During the days of tlie Institute, classes included lecture and practical instruction.

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Rain IS a familiar sight (or Brevard students. An overview of Brevard before many of todays buildings were completed. constructed. An infirmary was built in memory of a former student. Mary Frances Stamey. The James Addison Jones Library was built and named for tfie man who donated the money for the library. Originally the library was housed in what is today the Coltrane Fine Arts building. In 1948 the college became fully accredited by the South- ern Association of Colleges and Secon- dary Schools and the University Sen- ate of the Methodist Church. During the Coltrane administration, there were four deans. All four men helped shape Brevard College. Mr. Trowbridge was the first dean. Dr. Coltrane brought him from Weaver College. Mr. Trowbridge was loved by faculty and students alike. He left in 1935 and was replaced by Mr. Caney E. Buckner. Dean Buckner left to pursue his undergraduate studies at Chapel Hill in 1943. While he was away, a pro- fessor of psychology. Dr. Burt Loomis. was acting dean. After two years Mr. Buckner decided to stay in school, so a permanent dean was found. Mr. Joel J. Stevenson. Mr. Stevenson had numer- ous responsibilities: he had adminis- trative duties and managed the book store. One co-worker said of him, He is mild mannered and kind but staunch in the defense of his principles-, he is hard working but accesible in the time of need. All of these men helped Dr. Coltrane uphold the high standards Brevard College had created for her- self. In 1950 Dr. Coltrane decided it was time to retire. Reverend Mr. George Brinkman Ehlhardt became president. This was an unforgettable administra- tion. Mr. Ehlhardt decided that the campus should be cleared of trees and the buildings should be painted. This part of Brevard College history was full of social events. Soon the bills could not be paid; enrollment dropped-, a ter- rible fire occurred in the Administra- tion building that created great repair bills, and at the beginning of his sec- ond year the president was in the hos- pital. The Reverend Mr. Robert A. Sta- mey was chosen as the third presi- dent. President Stamey arrived at a time when the school was in a state of dis- pair. The temporary barracks that had been built earlier were beyond repair-, the dormitory situation was deplor- able. Mr. Harry Dunham left half of his estate to the college. This enabled the college to resume building immediate- ly. The Methodist Church also support- ed the school by allocating funds to the school for building. During the Sta- mey administration Brevard College celebrated her 100th anniversary and a centennial arch was built to com- memorate the event. President Sta- mey resigned his position in 1957. Dr. Emmett McLarty was chosen as the next president of Brevard. He took office on May 3. 1957. He began a ten year building plan which would see Bryan Moore Science Building. Bo- shamer Gymnasium. Beam Administra- tion Building. Beam Dormitory. James Addison Jones Library and the A.G. Myers Dining Hall built. Dr. McLarty also believed in the individual. He said once. I cannot speak for all colleges, but I can speak for one: we at Brevard believe in the primacy of the individ- ual. President McLarty died in office in May of 1968. The garden in front of the cafeteria was planted in his mem- ory. The college moved into the late ' 60 5 with a new president-the Reverend Mr. Robert Aldine Davis. He took of- fice on June I. 1969. President Davis finished Dr. McLarty ' s building pro- ject, reduced the debts greatly and constructed more buildings. But in March of 1976. he left for a new posi- tion in Florida. Our current president took office on August 15. 1976. The enthusiasm of Dr. Jacob C. Martinson. Jr. is greatly felt throughout the college. In his 1983 con- vocation speech. President Martinson said. Brevard College is Unique. If it were not so, we would have no reason for existing. Brevard — an institution where char- acter is formed, dreams are dreamed, visions are seen, a place where a sound educational foundation is laid, on which youth can build a temple (Bre- vard College history by Marjorie Craig). Many people have dreamed dreams and seen visions at Brevard; may these next fifty years allow dreams to be followed and more vi- sions to be fulfilled.