Cedar Crest College - Espejo Yearbook (Allentown, PA)

Page 25 text:

-Q1 2 I g' ' R' .v:I'Ax..lx 5 V 'L 5 151' 'Y tn Z 4' .'.- I . ,, . .1,,, , A 1 WILLIAM FRANKLIN CURTIS, Ls., Litt.D. President of Cedar Crest College. Success in every art, whatever may be the natural talent, is always the reward of industry and pains. -Ware. RESIDENT CURTIS was born February 12, 1873 in Souderg ton, Bucks Country, Pennsylvania. Brought up in a farmer's T home he exemplifies the well-reared, typical American farmer if boy. His elementary education, secured in the public school enabled him to enter the Preparatory Department of Franklin and Marshall College. His education was broken at intervals to teach in the public school, in order to earn money to complete his education. The necessity of providing his own means saved him from hasty and superficial preparation for college. ' A I He entered Franklin and Marshall College in September, 1895, and was graduated from the Classical Course in June, 1898, with the degree of A.B. He then entered the Eastern Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church of the United States, Lancaster, Pa., and was graduated in 1901. While in College Dr. Curtis made a very enviable reputation for himself in the different spheres of college life.. Along the literary line he was a loyal member of the Coethean Literary Society. He was one of the most successful debaters against large University debaters and represented Franklin and Marshall in the state orator- ical contest and won the senior prize debate. He was then already a successful executive, having successfully managed the foot-ball team and glee-club in 1898 and been for two years at the head of the Green Room Club and, also, a member of the Paradise Club. During the week of the Lancaster County Institute, he and a colleague compiled a book of programs and gathered advertisements, by which he was able to realize a neat sum of money to aid him pay for his education. The booklet was known as the Lancaster County Institute Notes. From 1901 to 1908 he wasa most successful pastor of St. Paul's Reformed Church of Kansas City, Missouri. He was also President of the Synod of the Interior. He is a member of the Rajah Shrine, and is a thirty-second degree Mason. In the spring of 1908 the Board of Trustees challenged Dr. Curtis to the Presidency of the College at a time when the school was passing through its most serious and trying storm and stress period. He was devoted to his church and to his people in Kansas City, and it was difficult to decide to leave them. . April 8, 1908, he accepted the call to the presidency and wrote th us to the Board of Trustees: f'After prayerful and careful con- sideration of your call to the Presidency of the Allentown College for Women, I have concluded to accept your challellge 3115 elite? nnnn my duties, June 1, 1908. I take up this new work and enter Page Twenty-one

Page 24 text:

PRESIDENT WILLIAM F. CURTIS, Litt.D

Page 26 text:

0 -, Mag EEPEIU19 this untried field largely because my friends who know both me and the situation in Allentown have sufficient confidence in me to believe that I am qualified for the peculiar demands of the work. Further comments of Dr. Curtis, ability to cope with the difficult situation at that timewere expressed thus: That the newly elected president is peculiarly qualified for the work to which he has been called is the judgment of all who know him. The patrons of the College are very much elated that the Board was able to procure so good a man for the position. The future of the college is brighter than it has been for years. With such a scholarly, tactful, energetic president as Rev. William Curtis, who is also noted for his executive and business-ability, large things may be expected to come to pass? William Curie, woikkkfrorg thee very beginlniruii' showed marked success. n spea ing o is rs year's wor e oca news a ers said the following: '6The most successful year of the Allentgwg College for Women came to a fitting close at the 39th annual commencement. Bresident Curtis may feel highly elated over the results attained. Under his wise and energetic direction, begun a year ago, the College has had one of the best and most prosperous years in its history No longer is there depression and pessimism at the college- but a feeling of optimism prevails. The college had its ups and bdciwn its tides ebbed and flowed and for a considerable time the tide was mostly ebb. The cry went forth, 'Wanted-A Man? Finally the Board of Trustees stretched its hand halfway across the continent and reach- ing down into the home mission field of the Reformed Churchiit pointed to Rev. Curtis and said, 4Thou Art the Man' He came ami saw and conquered. He saw the opportunity and overcame the situdes under which the College was laboring. Today the Cglilef- stands better than it ever did. He has infused into its bein 33 spirit and a new life under which the college is pros erinof dg a mem forward and upward. p O an movmg ' Dr. Curtis has been true to i ' . , in the superb superstructures Whig lgleuhtasaseigscgldst Wi1a11yhSh1?Wn charge. of the work, the college was merely a Junior Ci? Q ook immediately set to work to raise her rank amon ed to egg, He and has broadened her boundaries and lengtheneil h ucatloliqal forces Within two years he planned a four- ear ll el? S 3 es' as to gain recognition in the college worldyand Cto Egltate COHYSQ, S0 tag. grill cplllegiatestandard, granting the A.B. anid Hglgde3Ei?eE3Hei?1 V me ns wor was a rove ' ' D ' i so acce e egg C . ar? accepted lily these Sgjifseesnaillfd this students who wish to teach ceived by degree students. 6 S rength Of theun dlplomas re' Because of the education ' Curtis was elected a member3gfWtCggI lggigie inl tllgie college, President of Social Sciences. All the products of tbliiar PrE1eLsii23lt1Otna11I11lSt1tute ust - ' G11 's a J ly appieciated by all students and well wishers of the colleifenare P'T tt 39.8 WED y- W0