Centenary College - Hack Yearbook (Hackettstown, NJ)

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THE HACK '34 SIX DECADES OF SERVICE Looking back over the past sixty years of service of the CENTENARY COL- LEGIATE INSTTTUTE, we briefly review the momentous events in its life. This institution was projected at the Newark Methodist Episcopal Annual Conference in 1866, the centennial of American Methodism. Several places competed for the honor of its location, but finally Hackettstown was chosen on account of the grandeur of the scenery, the abundance and purity of the water, and the healthfulness of the climate, and the cooperation of its peoplef' The cornerstone was laid September 9, 1869, and the building dedicated and the school opened under most auspicious circumstances September 9, 1874, when the keys were handed over to Rev. George H. Whitney, D.D., by the Hon. George J. Ferry, President of the Board of Trustees. TI-IE ORIGINAL BUILDING 4

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'few x0 4 Q5 5 mf. 5. i7 Q. ,ff 1874- THE 1934 HACK CENTENARY COLLEGIATE IN HACKETTSTOWN, N. J. V I XXXI STITUTE

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1 THE HACK '34 Centenary Collegiate Institute has become one of the most popular institutions in the country, and there is perhaps no similar institution in the land that affords liner opportunities for study and instruction. It is designed to afford amplest facilities for both sexes to receive a superior education, and to prepare men for higher classes in college or the theological seminaries. The Department for Ladies is a regularly char- tered college empowered to confer degrees upon those who complete the required courses of study? U Dr. Whitney is a firm believer in self-government, and the success of 'C. C. If is a gratifying proof of the correctness of his theory. His kindly interest in each one personally, his large-hearted generosity and good-will toward all, combined with justice and firmness in discipline, endears him to all under his caref' 1 Dr. Whitney served until 1895 when he was succeeded by Rev. William P, Ferguson, Ph.D., D.D., who presided until 1900. The main school building was destroyed by fire at midnight, October 31, 1899. '1The two gymnasiums and the barn were all that were saved. The boys had no difficulty leaving the building. Miss Charlotte J. Hoag, Preceptress, collected the girls in an upper hall and called the roll from memory, then marched them to the boys' gymnasium, out of danger. After a recess of three weeks, school work was resumed in the chapels of the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, and the students were accomodated in the homes in the village. The cornerstone of the present building was laid December 1, 1900 when again Hon. George J. Ferry, who was still President of the Board of Trustees, presided, assisted by Dr. Whitney, President Emeritus. Dr. Charles W. McCormick next became President and served until 1902 when Rev. Eugene A. Noble, D.D., Class of '86, took charge for the following six years. Rev. Jonathan M. Meeker, Ph.D., D.D., took oiice in 1908 and served until his death January 1, 1917. It was during his regime that more and more opposition to co-educational schools was growing, and finally in 1910, the Trustees were obliged to recognize the demands of public sentiment for separate schools for boys and girls, and Voted that C. C. I. should become thereafter UA School for Girlsf, On April 10, 1917, Rev. Robert Johns Trevorrow, A.M., D.D., was elected President, and after building the school up in numbers and clearing it of all debt, he foresaw the need of junior colleges in the East and organized the Junior College of Centenary Collegiate Institute in 1929, and ours is the first junior college for girls in New Jersey. It is approved and accredited by all standardizing associations and by many individual universities. The work of the preparatory division of C. C. I, is still being recognized for its high scholastic standing. 5