Chicora College for Women - Nods and Becks Yearbook (Columbia, SC)

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Historical Sketch of the College HILE such a bright future is before Chicora and when all are in¬ terested in her prospects, it is well that we look back a bit into the past and see the growth of Chicora, from the first year when she became an institution, until now. The history of Chicora College has been one of rapid and unusual progress. It was organized in a rented building on McBee Avenue in Greenville, S. C., in August, 1893, under the auspices of the three Presbyterian Churches there. It was first called “The Presbyterian Female Seminary” but was later changed to Chicora College, the name being an Indian name, supposedly meaning Caro¬ lina. Rev. J. F. McKinnon was at the head of the institution, and it remained under his care until 1895, when Dr. S. R. Preston was made President. The institution was reorganized under Dr. Preston, in 1898, as a stock company, of which he was the head until 1906. It was then decided that a majority of the stock should be offered for sale to the Presbyteries of Bethel, Enoree, and South Caro¬ lina, under the condition that the rest of the stock should be purchased by them. Phis condition was complied with, and the college was taken over by the Synod of South Carolina. A board of trustees was then organized. This board is a self-perpetuating body, representatives of the several Presbyteries of the state, and it is their duty to control and govern the college. The three Presbyteries owning the College, then overtimed the other Presbyteries of the Synod of South Carolina to unite with them in the ownership and control of the college. This overture was acted upon favorably by the Presbyteries, and th college is now owned jointly by the Presbyteries of Bethel, Charleston, Congaree, Enoree, Harmony, Pee Dee, Piedmont, and South Carolina, of the Synod of South Carolina, in connection with the Presbyterian Church of the United States. Chicora College was situitted in Greenville, S. C., until the fall of 1915, when it was consolidated with the College for Women in Columbia, by the vote of the dif¬ ferent Presbyteries. The institution was then moved to Columbia, and the name changed to Chicora College for Women. In 1906 Dr. S. C. Byrd was appointed to the presidency of the college, and has been in office ever since. Under his untiring efforts, Chicora has gone steadily for¬ ward. He has given his time, thought, and energy to her interests, and the results have been great. The College has grown, and improved with her growth. The standard was raised a few years ago, to the fourteen unit requirement, and during tbe past ear has been raised to the sixteen unit requirement, and the work in every department has come much nearer perfection. A history of Chicora College during the past can not but make us look forward into the future. Although her past has been inspiring, her future will make still greater progress.