Florida Southern College - Interlachen Yearbook (Lakeland, FL)

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The Story of Southern College Page Thirty at the helm, as well as for the church and its agents contributing to the phenomenal success of the enterprise. EXPRESSION OF CONFIDENCE Trustees, at a meeting held May 22, 1905, instead of re-electing President Walker for the customary period of one year, voted the office to him for the ensuing five years. This action was intended as a demonstration of gratitude for the good work he had done, and as an expression of confidence in his administrative policies. The degree of doctor of divinity was voted to him one year later. The faculty for 1905-06 included R. H. Alder- man, science; E. W. McMullen, mathematics; Grant Wheeler, commercial department; Miss Eunice Newton, art; Miss Katheryne Purnell, voice; Miss Edwina Rogers, violin; Miss Mary Lee Hill, elocution; Miss Vaught, Latin; Manuel Andrade, Spanish; Miss Donella Griffin, English; and Miss Pearl Watkins, music. The name of the institution was changed from the Florida Seminary to The Southern College, by action of the trustees on April 25, 1906. Soon afterward, the new name was shortened to Southern College. Members of the faculty for 1906-07 were R. H. Alderman, vice-president and instructor in science; E. C. Hudson, ancient and modern languages; S. B. Underwood, English; T. M. Cecil, mathematics; E. C. Kinsinger, history; Manuel Andrade, Spanish, E. M. McMullen, normal department; Grant Wheeler, commercial department; Beulah Wilson, academy; Mrs. E. B. Gautier, academy; Hans Christian Wulf, head of the department of music; Mrs. R. H. Alderman, voice; Miss Lillian Atkins, violin; Miss Edwina Rogers, stringed instruments; Mrs. S. W. Walker, assistant in piano; Miss Du- Bois Elder, elocution; Francisco Tortorici and Miss Effie M. Keiffer, art; Mrs. T. M. Cecil, matron in the dormitory for women; and Mrs. M. J. Wyatt, matron in the dormitory for men. Carlo Mora succeeded Hans C. Wulf before Christmas of that year. When Dr. J. P. Hilburn, then chairman of the board of trustees, made his report to the conference held in Palatka in December, 1906, the college had a property valuation of $175,000, a faculty of seventeen, and an enrollment of 310. Part of his report follows: In the matter of arranging a curriculum, we found it to be not only advisable but necessary to take advanced ground in view of the growing de- mands on the part of parents and students for ad- vanced literary work, so that our curriculum now stands equal to that of any first-class college, meet- ing the requirements of our general board of edu- cation. RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE The religious influence of the school is pro- nounced and of high order. So far, we have had a resident pastor who lives among the students. Preaching services are held every Sunday in the college chapel for the benefit of the student body and the local community. Attendance by students is compulsory. There is also a well organized Sunday School and an Epworth League, and a mid- week service for prayer. The religious training of pupils outside of the public ministry of the Word is also looked after, not necessarily along sectarian lines, but in the broad catholic spirit which we believe should characterize religious colleges as a consequence of the intensive religious spirit of the school and its religious atmosphere, vibrant with the thought and purpose of God. Many pupils who come to the school out of the church and un- s aved, return to their homes in the conscious enjoy- ment of a religious experience, while some are led to feel their call to the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Of course, in planning so largely as we have had to do for the housing and care of our students, it would have been almost miraculous not to have incurred debt. But considering the work we have inaugurated, our present indebtedness, amounting now to $5,500, is very small. Furthermore, re- ceipts from board and tuition have so far been amply sufficient to meet current expenses. Among other things, there is a grievous demand for a gymnasium and an athletic field. Ten thou- sand dollars could be easily and most profitably expended in meeting this need. Again, the college should be endowed. We have a choice collection of books in the col- lege librarv, which now numbers 3,500 volumes. His labors having taxed his physical strength too heavily, President Walker decided to retire to less active work for awhile. Accordingly, he sub- mitted his resignation to the board on May 20, 1907. They accepted it only after considerable discussion, and adopted a resolution expressing appreciation for the splendid services he had per- formed. At another meeting on the same day, they elected him chairman of the board to succeed Dr. J. P. Hilburn, who had just been elected presi- dent of the college at a meeting that morning. PRESIDENT HILBURN TAKES CHARGE John Presley Hilburn, now living in Tampa as a superannuate of the Florida Conference, was born in Gainesville, Arkansas, June 26, 1858, a son of Rev. A. S. and Emily S. Hilburn. He attended public and private schools and Crowley College, and has a doctor of divinity degree which was con- ferred upon him by Southern. Dr. Hilburn entered the ministry in December, 1880, and Jonesboro, Arkansas, was his first ap- pointment. His long record of brilliant and useful service in the ministry has won for him wide recog- nition as an able leader. After joining the Florida Conference, he served as pastor at Micanopy, Palatka and Ocala, and as presiding elder of the •♦•♦••■ % «

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JOHN PRESLEY HILBURN President 1907-12