Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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year Dr. Judson was president. Then Dr. Edwin M. Poteat, pastor of one of the largest churches in Philadelphia, was called to till the chair, and accepted. For two years now he has been with us, and has pleased not only the student body, but also the denomination throughout the State. Last year two valuable additions were made to a faculty already strong. Sidney Ernest Bradshaw, Ph. I)., accepted the chair of Modern Languages, while Warren M. Steele, M. A. (Yale), became Professor of Philosophy. 1'he recent movement to endow the University met with great success. There was pledged in all $125,000, of which nearly $60,000 has been raised. Of the total amount pledged Dr. Judson gave $21,000. This venerable man. our link with the past,” as lie has so well been called by our president, is with us yet—hale and hearty in his eighty-sixth year. The value of his aid in prolonging the life of the institution cannot he estimated. He gave it his whole life, and then his fortune. Xay, more, he presented Furman with even his little house and farm in the suburbs of Greenville. Although so far advanced in years, he continues to meet a few classes in his beloved mathematics and astronomy, and in his quiet way shows young men the beauties of the ellipse, the parabola and the hyperbola, and how the value of an integer over an infinitesimal is infinity. May the day he far removed when no longer shall we see that dear form in the classroom and no longer hear that gentle voice bless and direct! Soon we hope to see a Carnegie Library added to our equipment. Another building which is much needed is a gymnasium. In the plans exhibited last commencement there were indicated the future sites of not only a gymnasium and a library, but also of another dormitory and a science ball. But, after all, there is something which we need much more than these and of which Furman University is fully deserving. It is the loyal support of on enthusiastic body of alumni. Nowadays no college can prosper unless the men who have gone forth into life from her walls look upon the institution from which they took their degrees as their mater, their mother. Filial affection bestowed in this way is not affection misplaced when the alma mater is Furman University. Rally, then, alumni, to the standard raised in Greenville. The recent proposal to change the name from Furman University to Furman College did not meet with approval. Well and good. If this school is to be called a university, let us make it one. The goal set before us now is the Baptist University of the South. 11

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Kjfurman (llmberetfp, (paef anb (preeettf N VIEWING an enterprise the future of which is assured, which enterprise has lxen in existence for over half a century, we naturally inquire, Through what stages did it pass to reach the prescift condition of stability? What has been the nature of its evolution? Just so it may be asked concerning Furman University, What are the essential points of her history? And in the consideration of this question we find that the growth of this institution has been one of the greatest triumphs of the Baptist denomination in the South. The struggle for existence began so early as 1827, when Furman Academy was founded at Edgefield Courthouse. The faculty then consisted of one man. Furman Academy took its name from Richard Furman, the first president of the Triennial Convention of Baptists. This brilliant man was instrumental in the founding not only of Furman, but also Mercer of Georgia and Hamilton of New York. In 1829 the Academy was removed to the High Hills of Santee, where it still possessed only one teacher. Jesse Hartwell and Samuel Furman were the instructors in 1830. The institution suspended its activity during the years 1835 and 1836. Again the school was moved, this time to Winnsboro, in 1837. Dr. Hooper, of North Carolina, was elected president, and Furman continued its work of producing noble men. Dr. J. L. Reyonlds succeeded Dr. Hooper as president. In 1844 we find Dr. J. C. Furman senior professor. This man. an educator in the highest sense, built up a theological department between the years 1844 and 1851. In 1851 the school was removed to Greenville, and was opened in 1852 as Furman University. For ten years the University continued its good work, but at the expiration of that time the havoc of the Civil War closed the doors. Before 1869 several attempts were made to reopen, but without effect. But in the year mentioned Furman once more began the work of education, and continued without cessation till 1881. when it suspended in June, but reopened once more in October. The long presidency of the aged Dr. Furman ended in this year. His aid in building up the institution had been invaluable. Dr. Charles Manly now assumed control and directed operations wisely and well until 1897. In that year Dr. A. P. Montague was made president. During his administration two modern and much-needed buildings were erected on the campus, Montague Hall and the Judson-Alumni Auditorium. Dr. Montague left us in 1902. and for one 10

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UK RICHARD FURMAN