Florida Southern College - Interlachen Yearbook (Lakeland, FL)

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The Story of Southern College Page Twenty The trustees of The Florida Conference College instruct us to ask your body an assessment of $2,000 for the cause of education, said amount to be as- sessed in the ratio of the distribution of the domes- tic mission collection, twenty-five per cent of the amount so raised to be handed over to the board of education for voung men studying for the ministry, and the balance of the money so raised to be turned over to the trustees of The Florida Conference Col- lege. The original board of trustees of the college appointed a committee to have the institution chartered under the general law of incorporation. That committee took steps in that direction, but failed to complete the process. Their failure to do so was not discovered until 1892, when it was voted to apply to the legislature at its next session for a charter. The charter was duly granted, and the trustees formally adopted it on May 20, 1893, at a meeting held at Leesburg. Original minutes of this meeting include the charter in its entirety. Besides President Melton, the faculty for 1893- 94 included Rev. Henrv Fletcher Harris, Latin, Greek, Anglo-Saxon, French and Spanish; Rev. Homer Bush, higher mathematics, science and German; John Joseph Williams, sub-freshman mathematics, history and commercial course; Miss Madge Alford Bigham, preparatory department and sub-freshman classes; Miss Stella Moody, in- strumental music; Miss Furlow Anderson, vocal music; Miss Clara Virginia Keesling, art; Dr. W. J. Walker, manager of the college home; and Rev. Robert Stork, manager of the hall. DEGREES OFFERED Beginning in the autumn of 1893, the college offered courses leading to M.E.L. and B.L. degrees, the former to young ladies completing the schools of English literature, science and mathematics through trigonometry; the latter to young men completing the same course. Students who re- ceived either of these degrees were permitted to remain one year longer and receive a master ' s degree. A minimum of fifteen recitations a week was required. The general plan of the institution was impres- sively set forth as follows: For the soul, sound religious training; for the intellect, faithful mental discipline; for the social affections, genial com- panionship; for the emotions, healthful moral stimulus; for the tastes, elegant aesthetic culture; for the body, judicious physical regimen; for the manners, refined supervision; and for the health, wise hygienic directions. Women students were required to rise each morn- ing at 6:30 o ' clock, appear for breakfast at 7, din- ner at 12 and supper at 6:30. A group prayer meeting was held immediately after each evening meal. They were enjoined to refrain from the use of cant words or improper language, and sitting in windows or conversing from them was pro- hibited. If a voung lady desires to receive the attention of visitors from home, one rule stated, her parent or guardian must write to the president to that effect beforehand. These rules also applied to men students, who were also required to abstain from contracting debts at stores, livery stables, etc., except by per- mission, and to abstain from any communica- tion with the opposite sex, except such as comes unsought in your contact as students. There was a rule against bringing cards, whiskey or fire- arms into the dormitory. All students were forbidden to read or circulate novels, newspapers or literature of any kind with- out the approval of the president. They were also advised to leave no money in your room, keep your trunk locked and the key on your person. Considerable interest was manifested in a month- ly prayer meeting conducted by President Melton or someone appointed by him. Rooms in the dormitories were furnished with stoves, double bedsteads, mattresses, bedsprings, bureaus, tables, washstands, chairs and mirrors, and each student was advised to provide himself with an umbrella and over-shoes. CO-EDUCATION UPHELD The attitude of the administration toward co- education was presented in the catalogue for 1893- 1894 as follows: Ours is a mixed school. We think this better. We think it better for the boys and better for the girls. There is no more effectual way of refuting the old and still prevalent idea of woman ' s intel- lectual inferiority. Many a wife and mother has lost her influence over husband or son under this false impression. The husband condescends to accommodate his wife in her weakness, but knows if she had intellectual ability to grapple with grea t questions, she would not be weak and whim- sical, especially on the subject of religion. The boy says: ' Oh, my mother is a woman, but then she does not know, and cannot know, what I do. ' The sharp contact of the recitation will re- move all illusions. Let a boy wither at the black- board a few times before the intellectual acumen of the girls in his class, and he will learn to respect their ability; and he will learn, too, that if he is to have a wife who is his intellectual inferior, he will have to go out of school to find her. It in- spires the girls with more self-confidence. They will learn to be more steadfast when they plead for truth and righteousness. According to a copy of College Thought, published in March, 1894, the staff included President Melton, editor, and Henry Fletcher Harris, Homer Bush and John Joseph Williams, faculty associate editors. It was the custom during those years to have a large number of students appear on the commence- ment program with orations, declamations and other contributions, and medals offered by public-

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Ooldcn Anniversary — t8SS • ? . £•» will be plain black Henrietta or Cashmere cloth, with no trimmings, wrappings and hat the same shade of the dress. For spring and summer, white lawn waist and black skirt. To secure uniformity in shape and color, the hats should be purchased in Leesburg. Gingham, calico, or anything worn at home, is suitable for every-day wear. The gradu- ating class may wear plain white dresses during commencement. For the young men — When they go without the limits of the college on public occasions, they shall wear a uniform of navy blue coat and vest, and gray pants with black stripe. Cap to match. These suits can be secured in Leesburg at a reason- able cost. Until November 1, pupils may wear such Sunday suits as they already have. Ministers will not be required to wear uniforms. SPECIAL RULES STATED Special rules for boarding students were stated as follows: Each student must bring a Bible, with good, clear print. Each student must attend chapel each morning, Sabbath school every Sabbath, and church at least once each Sabbath. Each student must promptly obey rising, prayer, study, retiring and school bells. Students are expected to observe neatness in personal appearance and in the care of their rooms, in the school room, in their boarding house, and on the street. Students must be prompt in the discharge of duty; respectful to those who have authority over them; and polite to everyone. Students are expected to be present at all college duties, and to be prepared to recite when called upon. Students, must not contract debts, and the president suggests that the teachers set the example of doing a strictly cash business. In addi- tion to the foregoing, there will be such other re- strictions as may be found necessary. We do not like to make straw men for the children to throw at. Special rules for teachers were stated as follows: The teachers of The Florida Conference College are expected to be prompt, faithful and zealous in the discharge of all their duties. To be punctual and present at all exercises, whether business, school room or religious. To teach all the pupils good morals and gentle manners. To report to the president all damage done to the college prop- erty. To make their recitation rooms attractive and to see that good order is observed in them. To hear complaints in a good spirit. To preserve harmony among themselves. Not to attend the- atres; not to attend shows of any kind, unless ap- proved by the president. It was pointed out that neither the president nor any of his eight professors used tobacco in any form and students were requested to abstain from using it at the college or on the college grounds. The schedule of demerits included such offenses as absence from college duty, tardiness, failure in a recitation, disorder, absence from room during study hour, neglect of room or untidiness, being on streets after dark without proper attendants, com- municating by writing or otherwise with students of opposite sex during college hours, leaving town without permission of the president, using tobacco during college hours, marking or defacing walls, card-playing or visiting pool room or any place of amusement forbidden by faculty and grossly im- moral conduct. Telegraphy was one of the courses offered in the commercial department. Other courses were book- keeping, business practice, commercial law, busi- ness correspondence, commercial arithmetic, steno- graphy and typewriting and penmanship. There was a charge of $8 a quarter for bookkeeping, $5 for stenography and typewriting, and $4 for telegraphy. Parents were urged to write encouraging letters to their children. They were further requested to refrain from sending edibles, except at Christmas. It was pointed out that boxes of food caused stu- dents to eat too much and become ill. If you cannot come with your children or wards, parents were told, put them on the cars, notify the presi- dent of the college, and they will be met at the depot. FIRST CAMPUS PAPER APPEARS The diary of James H. Owen, a student at Lees- burg four years, shows that the first issue of College Thought, campus paper, was published November 10, 1893, with J. N. Piatt as editor and T. J. Mitch- ell as associate editor. Mr. Owen was graduated from the Leesburg institution in 1894, and is now living at Daytona Beach. Bv referring to numer- ous interesting details in his diary, he has contrib- uted valuable information for use in this history of those early days. Meeting at Ocala on January 4, 1893, members of the college board of trustees voted to request an assessment of $2,000 on the Methodist Conference then in annual session in that city. The request, included in a report from the board of education, was presented bv T. W. Moore, chairman, who said: The Florida Conference College is solely the property of the Florida Conference, and dependent upon our patronage and liberality for support. Young as it is, its enrollment, during the scholastic year of 1891-92, reached half that of the best patronized of either of our other institutions. During the past two years, two important and much needed buildings, for dormitory and reci- tation rooms, have been added. These have neces- sitated a debt of $5,000 to be provided for. There is about that amount due from pledges, bonds and enough to liquidate all indebtedness if collected. Thirtv-three pupils, ten young men studying for the ministry and twenty-three children of preachers are beneficiaries, and are getting free tuition. It is nothing but just that the Florida Conference should assist in the support of a faculty, who are so generously contributing to the betterment of our families and our Conference. Page Nineteen t $ • f

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Golden Anniversary — 1885 - 1035 spirited individuals were awarded. Honors were announced as follows ar the commencement of 1894: W. F. Melton medal for best oration, Rev. C. W. White; L. B. Lee medal for best original essay, Miss Nellie Hall; W. H. Steinmeyer medal for best fresh- man or sub-freshman recitation, Miss Bertie Lee; J. H. Richards medal for best display of art at commencement, Miss Annie Walker; J. H. Owen medal for best recitation or declamation in pre- paratory department, Miss Talula DePass; G. M. Lee medal for best scholarship in preparatory department, Miss Loulie Barnett; W. C. Wilkins medal for best declamation, J. R. Hillsman, W. F. Melton medal for best scholarship, Rev. B. F. Lovelace; W. J. Walker medal for best house- keeping in College Home, Miss Mamie Wilkins, J. P. Stephens and Brother medal for best work in French, Miss Sadie Abney. Freezing weather having done extensive damage to the citrus crops, money became so scarce in 1895 that it was feared the college would have to be closed. President Melton and his faculty, unable to live on their greatly reduced salaries, presented their resignations to the board of trustees at the meeting held on the afternoon of May 18. The board adopted a resolution which said: That this board sincerely regrets that circum- stances have caused the president and his assistants to retire from the college; that we appreciate the valuable services they have rendered; and that they carry with them our high regards and best wishes for their future welfare. college at a critical time, when the hearts of the trustees were grieved and burdened over its con- dition, he began the delicate and difficult work of unifying sentiment in its behalf and composing differences. That he succeeded, illustrates his fit- ness to be a leader of men. Always optimistic in the best sense, because his faith was anchored on the great Teacher, he went over the conference inspiring confidence and winning friends to the institution, until the bright star of hope was dis- cerned rising on the horizon of the school. The work committed to Professor Nolen was no sinecure. The upbuilding of a young church educational institution in a sparsely populated section, without endowment, without strong and influential friends, with antagonisms to be recon- ciled, and the daily problem of support confronting him, he yet wrought manfully and well. . . . He had, by the force of his personality, attracted to the school an excellent corps of teachers, and, despite the financial stringency of the past two years, had secured for the college a commanding position as an educational foundation. The board of trustees during the first year of Dr. Nolen ' s administration included the following: Dr. J. Anderson, chairman; Rev. W. F. Norton, vice-chairman; Rev. W. H. Steinmeyer, financial agent and treasurer; Rev. R. L. Honiker, secretary; Rev. R. H. Barnett, Rev. J. B. Anderson, Rev. T.J. Nixon, Rev. J. M. Pike, Dr. J. F. Shands, George M. Lee, Loveard B. Lee, Charles W. White, John C. Cooper, C. N. Hildreth, E. H. Swain, S. E. Bond, J. H. Dorsey and Rev. A. E. Householder. TRUSTEES ELECT DR. NOLEN Dr. James Theodore Nolen was elected president of the college on the morning of May 20, 1895, succeeding Dr. Melton, and served until his death, November 27, 1897. Dr. Nolen was born at Franklin, North Carolina, April 22, 1863. He attended Emory and Henrv College, Emory, Virginia, and was graduated with honors, winning three medals for excellence in an essay and mathematics and natural science. He taught school two years before entering Vanderbilt University, where he was awarded the degree of bachelor of divinity in 1891. He married Miss Rose Charlotte Thomas, at Spring City, Tennessee, June 28, 1892, and two daughters survive them. One lives at Williston, the other at Leesburg. Before election to the presidency of The Florida Conference College, Dr. Nolen served as school principal at Spring City, Tennessee, and Lake City, Florida, and as a professor on the faculty of Peoples College, Pikeville, Tennessee. He became a mem- ber of the Florida Conference in December, 1896. He was buried in Leesburg, but was later removed to the burial ground of Mrs. Nolen ' s family in Chattanooga Memorial Park, C hattanooga, Tenn. R. L. Honiker, chairman of the conference com- mittee on memoirs, eulogizing Dr. Nolen in the conference minutes of 1897, said: Coming to the FACULTY ANNOUNCED The faculty for the first year included the follow- ing: Rev. F. A. Taylor, vice-president and pro- fessor of higher mathematics and Greek; Rev. T. A. Jordan, professor of English, history and natural science; Mrs. C. C. B. Richards, instructor in natural science, German and French; Mrs. A. S. Barnett, music; Miss Fannie Collins, art; Victor Knight, librarian; Miss Mary Knight, assistant librarian; F. E. Steinmeyer, manager of the college home; and Mrs. Steinmeyer, lady principal. The faculty for 1896-97 included the following: President Nolen, mental and moral science; E. F. Herman, ancient and modern languages; Rev. F. A. Taylor, adjunct professor of ancient languages; W. T. Chafin, higher mathematics and natural science; Mrs. Beulah M. Warner, English and his- tory; J. N. Piatt, tutor in natural science; Mrs. A. S. Barnett, vocal and instrumental music; Miss Fannie Collins, art and physical culture; and Miss Hannah W. Hopson, stenography and typewriting. Those who had the privilege of being closely associated with Dr. Nolen recall the heroic manner in which he sought to save the college from the threatening depression. Heavy financial odds faced him when he assumed the responsibilities of the presidency, but he had the immediate cooper- ation of a loyal faculty, trustees, ministers and Page Twenty-one t • 4 , ■ ' «■ •♦■ •