Eastern Kentucky University - Milestone Yearbook (Richmond, KY)

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mimm Historical Sketch m iM ' (S mfsy- ' ui ' ' Of Central Uni ver sit y= = - Soon after Centre College had been lost to the Sonthern Presb vterian Church, the Synod of Kentucky decided to establish an institution of its own, and work was begun at once to raise the necessary funds. Although the recent close of the war had rendered the time an unfavorable one, subscriptions to the amount of $220,000 were soon procured. This was deemed sufficient to justify the erection of a college : and the question of location was the next to present itself for solution. Several towns in the central part of the State were competitors for the institution. The decision, however, was finally rendered in favor of Richmond. The new institution first opened its doors to students in September of 1S74. The opening was auspicious. More students matriculated than even the most hopeful had expected. When first established, the University comprised the College of Philosoph -, Letters and Science, at Richmond, Ky., and the Hospital College of Medicine, at Louisville, Ky. Rev. R. S. Breck, D. D. , was chosen Chancellor, and Rev. J. W. Pratt, D. D., President, ot the first named college. The severe financial depression which the new institution was soon called upon to go through with rendered reorganization necessary ; and Drs. Blanton and Logan were elected to the offices vacated by the resignation of Drs. Breck and Pratt. Under the new manage ment the University immediately entered upon a career of prosperity and success ; large sums were added to the endowment, new departments were established, and larger num- bers of students were enrolled. The first great department to be added to the University was the College of Dentistry, at Louisville. This soon became one of the largest and most prosperous colleges of the institution. In 1S97 the College of Law, with Judge William Chenault as President, was estab- lished. Although still in its infancy, this school is inferior to none in the State, and promises in time to become one of the most prosperous of the University ' s departments. Four branch schools have also been founded, as follows : A Preparatory Department, at Richmond, Ky.; S. P. Lees Collegiate Institute, at Jackson, Ky.; Hardin Collegiate Institute, at Elizabethtown, Ky., and Middlesboro University School, at Middlesboro. Ky. 9

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Central University of Kentucky m ....Colleges.... COLLEGE OF PHILOSOPHY, LETTERS AND SCIENCE Richmond, Ky. J. V. LOGAN, D. D., LL, I)., President. HOSPITAL COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Louisville, Ky, L. S. McMURTRV, M. D., Presicieiu. LOUISVILLE COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY Louisville, Ky. HEXRY BRY. NT TILKSTOX, D. D. S., Picsideiit. COLLEGE OF LAW Richmond, Ky. WM. CHEN. rLT, Pie=.ideiit. University High Schools RICHMOND PREPARATORY Richmond, Ky. S. J. S. XDKRSUX, P.esideiU. S. P. LEES COLLEGIATE INvSTlTUTE Jackson, Ky. W.AI- UINWIDDIE, M. A., Presideiil. HARDIN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE Elizabethtown, Ky. J. E. AUSTIX, Jr, B. a.. President. MIDDLESRORO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL Middle.sboro, Ky. J. R. STERRlvTT, M. S., President. 8

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All of these have a large atteiulauce. are doing good work, and in every va - are a credit to the parent institution. Although Central University- is not a strictly military school, yet her .students have, since 1892, had the advantages of military drill. This department has at its liead an officer of the regular army. This feature has become quite a drawing card. In 1S98, through the generosity of Mrs, Sarah A- Miller, a new gymnasium, com- modious and completely fitted with apparatus, was added to the buildings on the campus. Its classes are under the charge of a competent physical director, and all the students are expected to participate in the work. The Board of Curators have undertaken, during the present year, to add $100,000 to the endowment, which shall l)fc called the twentieth century endowment finid. In accordance with the suggestion of the Synod ' s Committee of ' isitation, the Rev. J. V. Tyler, M. A., an alumnus of Central I ' niversity, is now associated with Dr. Blanton in procuring this fund. In this necessarily short sketch we have endeavored to enable the readers of the Cream and Crimson to realize something of the magnitude of the work which Central University is doing toward training and ennobling the youth of this and many other States. It is wonderful to note what rapid strides she has made ; established only a quarter of a century ago, she has, in a short time, risen to be the first institution of the State, and has obtained a high rank among the Universities of the South.