Bryan College - Commoner Yearbook (Dayton, TN)

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Bryan Cooperates With Its Nation For the past twelve years Bryan Uni- versity has fought a consistently uphill battle against depression conditions. Yet, during those twelve years definite and far-reaching progress has been made. It has been a test of faith, a test of perseverance, a test of real purposeful building. Now, just when it begins to appear as though the storm has been weathered and smoother sailing is ahead, we come face to face with a world war such as has never been be- fore. But, already we have set our hand to the plow, and, by the Grace of God, we shall not turn back. (Dr. Rudd) Bryan, even in the face of war, never turned back. Despite students going to fight overseas, gas and food rationing, and fear of rampant fascism, the Univer- sity stood by its wartime motto, Vic- tory in Christ, and conquered. God ' s blessings continued in the wake of uncertainty. As money permitted, building improve- ments were made: new water lines for the kitchen; paint for the Octagon, which was made into a women ' s dorm; steam heat for the Administration Building; and landscaping of the entire campus. The Administration expanded classroom space and added a bookstore, darkroom, and laundry room to the facilities. Bryan survived World War II without casualty. In fact, seemingly to honor its veterans, Bryan expanded even further. The school purchased in 1947 an old army chapel for a mere $900. Student; and faculty dismantled the structure and rebuilt it on its present location on Bryan Hill. Dormitory space later occu- pied its basement, now Rader Hall. The government also honored Bryan ' s war involvement with the donation of twelve trailers, known as Vetsville, pro- viding housing for Bryan ' s married vet- eran students. Not only were veterans honored in this decade of unrest. Mr. F.R. Rogers of Dayton presented the University with a portrait of Bryan, a gift to his family from Mr. Bryan ' s widow, to honor the school established for the Great Com- moner. But the undeniable Leader of the University was paid homage to when the famous Chicago artist, Warner Sallman gave the school a larger-than-life portrayal of Christ, done in chalk. No better memorial could serve to remind the University of its of- ficial motto adopted in 1949, Christ Above All. S»»om H«o» Garog«t An ideal plac to tp nd th« night ' i ' li Forties ' '

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The Forties CHRIST ABOVE ALL l B the challenge for victory re A0 Wta bn Co± WAV lot o eat a wort NHU I- «= r»J- «■ . - - ■- — n- MCMIakiAi • » » ■■• •»- ™ •»• » «■ » ' »•» Ml MUW «lHt ejai». ««obelo««.»- =»— tnj p pi i 1 1 1 1 J — i hi otM Wo ■ ■:— •• Urn r beaaibl iteOeiTfaM b obU; Wo b Atdefcee. JcWfeaBr =■ • =» An m taanisg w • •!■» »«4 « « o b ytw kMii dot lidir Ce» T™ c ak» o ton • ! W CVjW? An jou iMmng » «c=ro lecdty » »i« T-4 taereiso w bnWw and ot-i ley rt og Corf • wlO eo Mm wW A cod ct d tatty. a Tee pw Miq let efpen — «r b ce ft°«e tua jv fll w la whw r«e) bed e q ill I- a com a a olnetia « jw WMe ebefl Db h «= 4 (■ brfmdeab. He nsd dw . aged aee erf «r» w. befcz « I h ovn MreaijO an ■■-■j ' — bet o an «9 J» an (■ L S5- .c 1. Original plans for the campus included ex- pansion over the entirety of Bryan Hill. 2. Presi- dent Judson A. Rudd called the student body to action and prayer at the start of World War II. 3. Vetsville provided trailer housing for married war veterans. 4. The Memorial Chapel was dis- mantled from Camp Forrest, Tennessee, and re- assembled in 1947-1948 on campus. 5. Cedar Hill which had been Bryan ' s women ' s dormi- tory and faculty apartments from 1932-38 be- came in the forties and fifties Dayton ' s major tourist home. 6. Warner Sallman, famous for his religious paintings, donated a four-foot by five-foot portrayal of Christ to the University in 1941. 20 The Forties

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The Fifties CHRIST ABOVE ALL 1. The tower of the Administration Building was finally completed in 1955. 2. Homecoming games (football in the fifties) against Tennessee Temple are now traditional activities. 3. The 30,000 volume Ironside library was dedicated during the fall Bible conference of 1956. Shown left to right are John Ironside, A.H. Stewart, and Lillian Ironside Koppin. 4. In 1950, Bryan University honored Dr. Rudd for his nineteen years of service to the school with a Telechron electric mantel clock. 3. Dr. Theodore C. Mer- cer became president of the University in 1956. Dr. Rudd remained as President Emeritus and as Dr. Mercer ' s assistant and adviser. 22 The Fifties