Brevard College - Pertelote Yearbook (Brevard, NC)

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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.

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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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Christian Ideals Promoted Brevard continues success of predecessors. Man cannot live in the future alonei he must drift back to his past happi- ness if his life be complete (Foreward by Editor 1936 Pcrlelotc). If this history section is to be complete, one must turn back the pages of time and study the thoughts of the panarama of stu- dents who have passed through the gates of Brevard College. The ' JCs were a time when young men and women did not have private conversations on campus unless they were in a group or with proper chap- erons. But that doesn ' t mean students didn ' t meet and fall in love. John W. Miller (Class of ' 38) recalls his most memorable experience with a young woman. The opening day of my senior year when, as a member of the wel- coming committee. I met the train from Asheville and among the fresh- men greeted was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Ruth Helen Wag- goner, from Walkertown, North Caroli- na. She also had the heaviest trunk, or at least it seemed to be, as I helped lug ' it to the 2nd floor of West Hall. Ruth and I were married in December 1939 — the best thing that ever hap- pened to me as a result of attending Brevard College. As during any time period, dating was a major topic. Dat- ing had many restrictions and the song of the time was A Fine Romance With No Kisses (Evelyn Cross Hankins, Class of ' 38). The financial situation of the ' 30 ' s couldn ' t have been the best. It was the time of the Depression. John Miller re- calls: There was not a single student who owned an automobile on campus even tho the student body was com- prised of about 350 students. My mem- ory is vague regarding costs of room, board and tuition but I would guess the total annual cost was about $350. I know I had only $75 when I arrived there in fall of 1936. The college itself must have been hard pressed finan- cially but we students weren ' t too aware of those problems, the bulk of the student body was so engaged (in work study) in one way or another. To help meet my college expenses I worked in the cafeteria as a waiter, ran a drycleaning route thru Taylor Hall, pressman in the print shop (The Clarion) at I5it per hour and finally as a soda clerk in Long ' s Drug Store up- town. During her early years Brevard be- came well known in Western North Carolina for her farm. Many students worked their way through school do- ing chores on the farm. The farm grew mostly corn which fed the livestock. The dairy had one bull, seventeen milk cows, four heifers and five calves. Some students, like Evelyn Hankins. worked in the kitchen. My first year at the college everyone had to work for 6 months. This was duty in the kitchen such as peeling potatoes, stringing beans, washing greens, set- ting tables, cleaning up after meals, washing dishes etc. I did not mind the work as everyone was involved and with this plan of self-help many could attend college who otherwise would have been denied a college educa- tion. Many clubs were formed in the early ' 30 ' s because most students had very little money. Students found ways to enjoy themselves on campus through clubs such as: Mnemosyneans (literary society), commercial club, travel club, Delphian Society (literary society), Photonature club, boosters club and Pertelote. VISIONS OF THE PAST As wc have seen science classes have long been part o( Brevard ' s curriculum. Here a more receni group of siudenls prepares for class. This student appears to be out of place m the pond that used to be on campus.