Due West Female College - Arrow Yearbook (Due West, SC)

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,J The Arrow, Nineteen Twenty-.Seven '--- ' 1 W ,-N 1 i Qin l Si X Q' Msgs.. Eh. , , fj9XX :'t'- -vm !,ffZ, 'rNQ 7 ' T rn-rn-rm. .... ................... mu...---4-'v-1-1-im. .im ... .. .iiimmi-.. .....----mm-r-111-1-I-'n-n-... .1 I- in mu.-mi ...ui-.....,E-I 3 . QSfff5f ' 'T '-'LJ ' Womanis College of Due West HISTORICAL SKETCH ' HE Woman's College of Due West bears not the name of an individual philanthropist nor of a religious denomination, but of the town in which it is located. This fact is significant. From its early years, Due West was the home of liberal-minded men, not a few of whom were college graduates. The Woman's College of Due West was an outgrowth of the same enthusiasms for education which influenced these men in establishing Erskine College in Due West in 1839. They desired for their daughters the same educational advantages which they desired for their sons. However, it was not until 1859 that their desires began to take dennite shape. In November of that year Rev. John Irwin Bonner succeeded in interesting people in Due West and in the community in the establishment of a college for women. A Board was chosen and a plan approved for raising the McQuerns Academy to college rank. The building contained only three rooms, but the Board formally authorized instruction to begin January, 1860, with three teachers in charge. In .luly,'1861, the first class, six in number, received diplomas, the exercises of grad- uation being held in the church. But the Board and citizens of the town were not content to remain in these cramped quarters. A site of seven acres, a part of the present campus, was purchased, and funds for the erection of a building suitable for the purpose were contributed. On August 7, 1860, although the building was only partially completed, exercises of dedication were held, and Due West Female College, as it was then called, was set apart for its honorable service to the community, the state, and the world. On January 28, 1861, a charter was granted by the State of South Carolina. The charter members of the corporation included both clergy and laity, the majority being members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. It was a rule, or order of the Board then, and is still, to welcome all, whatever their denomination, to the benefits and privileges of a liberal education. Until 1904 the Board of Trustees was self-perpetuating, with entire freedom of election. In that year the Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church was offered and took over the property, with the privilege of appointing the Trustees. On February 24,,191o, the charter was amended to allow additional Trustees and addi- tional powers. By the same amendment, the name of the college was changed to the Woman's College of Due West. In order to fulfill the obligations of the amended charter and to meet new educa- tional standards, measures were taken to increase the material equipment. In 1903 Main Building, which was erected for class and administration purposes was remodeled and refurnished. In 1904, Carnegie Hall, which was erected with a gift of Mr. Andrew Carnegie of New York, supplemented with a corresponding amount contrib- uted by the friends of the College, was opened for residence. In 1912, the Library was greatly enlarged and refurnished. Many new books were added, among them a collection in memory of Mrs. Kate Patton Kennedy, made possible by the zeal and Ji y V cg, 1 5 ,I asa,l?2r-'e. Page twenty .ur

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J-L .4 fa 5 Z: - S fi -9 1 ,2 The Arrow, Nmeteen Twenty-Seven 4:7 - r'+ .MQ , , ,:1' ' Em wfX4T'k:. E KE-Iggy lllrvll ll xnzul llllllHmIllllI lllllll I1 ulrlll HTVTTIT llllll lll 1IlllllIllllllnfl'l'IWl7nnlmrrlr::wQil -N, .-,Al-.-...-I -,. Page twenty-ive DR. F. Y. PRESSLY, Chairman of the Board of Trustees

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. r ., 4- , ' The Arrow, N1neteen Twenty-.Seven 4-'T ' I ,, ,S-' ig-'.:1Lf- Tv1i -I '11 v v I mlrmui vluvu I -I 11. ..,. ,, ,,,,.., generosity of Mrs. Sallie Miller Brice, of the class of 1875. In 1914 Alumnae Me- morial Hall, containing the auditorium and ample rooms for the Department of Music, was erected in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the col- lege. In 1922, Robinson Hall, the second residence building, was completed. The funds for this beautiful and convenient building were obtained by the Forward Move- ment Campaign, and furnished by the Alumnae through the untiring efforts of Mrs. I. H. Hunt, President. In 1922, the college purchased ten acres additional ground for the campus, and a hedge fence has been planted enclosing the college property. In 1922, the senior class, with the valuable assistance of its sponsor, Mrs. J. B. Green, obtained funds for the erection of a handsome gateway at the Main entrance, while the class of 1878, with the inspiration and generous help of Mrs. Fannie Bonner Brownlee, one of its members, presented the college a gateway at the West entrance. It is impressive and interesting to add here a list of the presidents, with a few items pertaining to their lives and services. The first president, Rev. John Irwin Bonner, D.D., was born in Monroe County, Alabama, in 1823, graduated in 1842 from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, grad- uated from Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, S. C., in 1845, editor of Er- skine Telescope, and Associate Reformed Presbyterian, was president of Woman's College of Due West, 1860-1881. The second president, Prof. John Pressly Kennedy, was born August 13, 1826, graduate of Erskine College, professor of Latin in Erskine College, professor of Latin in Due West Wom,an's College, 1866-1881 , president of Due West Worr1an's College, June 15, 1881, until 1887, when he resigned on account of failing health. The third president was Mrs. Lila Morse Bonner. Mrs. Bonner was born in Albany, New York, graduate of Troy Female Seminary, was professor of Piano in Woman's College of Due West from 1861 to 1887, elected President of the College in 1887, resigned in June, 1895, president emerita until her death in 1915. The fourth president was Rev. Charles Edward Todd, born in Laurens County, October 23, 1862, graduated from Erskine College in 1881, Erskine Theological Seminary, 1883, pastor, First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, N. C., 1887 until 1895. Called to the presidency of the College in 1895, was president, 1895-1899. The fifth president of the College was Rev. James Boyce, D.D., was born in Gaston County, N. C., January 25, 1860, was graduated from Erskine College in 1878, graduated from Erskine Theological Seminary in 1881, pastor of Seventh and Chestnut Street Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Louisville, Ky., from 1884 to 1896, pastor of Church at Huntersville, N. C., 1887-1899, president from 1899- 1 10. 9 The sixth president, now in office, Richard Lee Robinson, D.D., was born near Lancaster, S. C., October 31, 1872, was graduated from Erskine College, 1892, and from Princeton Theological Seminary, 1899, graduate student in Princeton Univer- sity, 1896-1899, pastor of Church at Camden, Alabama, 1899 'to 1909, pastor of Church,'Lancaster, S. C., 1909-1910, elected to presidency in 1910, since IQIO, pres- ident and professor of Bible. ' R. L. ROBINSON. Page twenty-.vefven ...fi . ..,.....,..... Y, 1 'T'ExXX?9X..M.1,T h