Eastern Kentucky University - Milestone Yearbook (Richmond, KY)

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

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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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Dr. lanton. m DOCTOR BLANTON, to whose eft ' icient management and indefatigable labors as Chancellor the University owes so much, was born in Cumberland Count ' , ' a., Jul ' 29th, 1832, and was educated at Hampden-Sidney College, also at Dan ille Theological Seminary, Danville, Ky. His first ministerial service was with the Presbyterian Church at Versailles, Ky. ; then at Salem, Va. ; then as chaplain in the Confederate army. In 1S68 he became pastor of the church at Paris, K -. Here he was not only instrumental in building up the church to greatly increased strength and efficiency, but threw himself, with all his energy and rare executi ' e abilitw into the work ' of building up the educational interests of the community. Local institutions of learning took ' , under the stimulus of his enthusiasm, new life and energy. His ripe scholarship, rare executive ability and indomitable energ ' soon led to his recogiiition as one peculiarly fitted for leadership in the great work of public education. When the chancellorship of Central University became vacant it was natural, therefore, that, young, comparatively, as he was, he should be called to that important post. One of less courage might have shrunk ' from the position tendered him, encompassed, as the institu- tion was, with financial problems of the greatest and most ominous character. Not at ail discouraged by the difficulties, he threw himself into the work ' of establishing the credit, consolidating the finances, and broadening the range of scholarship and the sphere of patronage of the institutioii. As another has truh ' said, his wise methods and cheerful words soon restored the fullest confidence in the future of the University. Gen- erous endowments began again to flow in, and the institution has gone steadily forward, increasing e ery year in patronage, lifting higher ever ' ' ear the standard of instruction and scholarship, until it now staiuls abreast of any similar institution in the countrx ' , and is regarded as one of the chief ornaments of the Commonwealth. Dr. Blanton, uiiile devoting his chief energies to Central Uni ' ersity, has been intimateh ' and honorably associated with every great movement of the chur ch in Kentuck ' ' . .As a Director of the Theological Seminary at Louis ilk ' , he has rendered inxaluable service. He has been from the beginning a -arm supporter and wise counsellor in the great work of synodical evangelization. He is recognized as one of our strongest and most scholarh ' preachers, as one of the most profound and erudite think ' ers, and as one of our soundest and best equipped theologians. His influence is, perhaps, second to that of no member of the S ' nod of kentuck) ' , to which he has devoted so assiduously and untiringly his services. 12