Eastern Kentucky University - Milestone Yearbook (Richmond, KY)

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Althou;:h 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 head R. W. Stephenson, an alumnus of this school, and prior to his graduation Cadet Major of the University Battalion. During the Spanish-American war Major Stephenson entered the volunteer service with the Si.xth U. S. Volunteer Infantry. Under his management the militar ' department is showing e.xcellent results. Since 1898, through the generosity of Mrs. Sarah A. Miller, a new gymnasium, commodious and completely fitted with apparatus, was added to the buildings on the campus. The classes are under the charge of a competent physical director, and all the students are e.xpected to participate in the work. Last vear the board began to raise S 100,000, which shall be called the Twentieth Century Endowment Funtl. In accordance with the suggestion of the Synod ' s Committee of Visitation, the Rew J. W. Tyler, M. A., an alumnus of Central Uni ' ersity, is now- associated with Dr. Blanton in procuring this tund. in this necessarily short sl etch we have endeavored to enable the readers of the Cream and Crimson to realize something of the magnitude of the work which Central Uni ersity 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 about a quarter of a century ago, she has in a short time come to the front among the institutions of the State, and has attained a high rank among the universities of the South. 10

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Historical Sketch. ® SOON after Centre College was lost to the Southern Presbyterian Church the Synod of Kentuck ' decided to establish m institLition of its own, and work was at once begun 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 fa ' or of Richmond. The new institution first opened its doors to students in September of 1874. The opening was auspicious. More students matriculated than e en the most hopeful hail expected. When first established the Uni -ersity comprised the College (,)f Philosophy, 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 of first named college. The severe financial depression which the new institution was soon called upon to undergo rendered reorganization necessar ' , and Drs. Blanton and Logan were elected to the offices vacated by the resignation of Drs. Breck and Pratt. Under the new management the University immediately entered upon a career of prosperity and success ; large sums were added to the endowment, new departments were established, and larger numbers 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 1897 the College of Law, with Judge William Clienault as President, was established. 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. The University also has three branch schools, as follows : A Preparatory Department at Richmond, Ky. ; S. P. Lees Collegiate histitute at Jackson, Ky. ; Hanlin Collegiate Institute at Elizabethtown, Ky. All of these have a large attendance, are doing good work ' , and in every way are a credit to the parent institution.

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DR. L. H. BLANTON, D. D., LL. D., CHANCELLOR.