Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

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During the session 1906-1907 the Library Building was erected at a cost of $23,000, Mr. Carnegie having added $4,000 to his original gift and other friends of the institution contributing a like sum. In the autumn of 1906 the General Education Hoard of New York proposed to contribute $25,000 towards the erection of a Science Hall at Furman, provided that South Carolina Baptists would, by January 1, 1910. contribute $25,000 for the same purpose, and also add $25,000 to the permanent Endowment Fund of the institution, making a total endowment of $200,000. A few months later, at the Baptist State Convention in Spartanburg, the pro]x sition of the General Education Board was accepted with enthusiasm. Rev. E. P. Easterling and (). I,. String-field were employed as financial agents to secure subscriptions to cover the necessary amount. In the meantime,- Mr. Andrew Carnegie donated $25,000 to materially assist in erecting the Science Hall. However, at the Slate Baptist Convention held in Anderson, in December, 1909, it was made known that the great undertaking of 1906 would fail if $14,000 could not be raised before the first day of January. This would mean the loss of the conditional sum promised by the General Education Board of Xew York, and also the conditional donation from Mr. Carnegie. But a concerted campaign was at once begun and before the midnight bells announced to the sleeping world the birth of the Xew Year, the victory was won. and the cherished dreams of South Carolina Baptists were coming to pass. The victory assumes the immediate erection of the James C. Furman Hall of Science, which has been needed many years. The building, which will cost $50,000, of which $15,000 will be expended for furniture and apparatus, will be composed of apartments for classes in psychology, chemistry, physics and biology, and physical laboratories. It will also contain the museum of Natural History. It is gratifying to know that the contractors expect to complete this beautiful struction about the first of May, 1911. When the Science Hall shall have been erected and the proposed improvements on the other buildings shall have been made, Furman University will rank along with the foremost colleges of the Southland not only in modern equipment, but also in educational standard. May the glorious day soon dawn when the priceless influence of this grand Republic of Letters shall be felt throughout the nations of the world! J. W. Huff. 19

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seemed to breathe into the hearts of the weary soldiers a new hope, and truly did they show a heroism which was equal to that shown so many times on the battle plains. Once more the eyes of the Baptists of South Carolina were turned toward Furman. But nothing could now be seen save the Main Building standing in grey outline on a lonely campus of about fifty acres. What could be done? During an interval1 of four years several attempts to answer this question were made. But it was not till 1869 that the school was permanently on sure ground. Under the presidency of Doctor Furman, who continued to serve in this capacity till 1881, the school, year after year, breathed more freely. In the year 1881 Dr. Charles Manly assumed control and directed operations wisely and well until his resignation in 1897. During his administration the financial agent. R. H. Griffith, was successful in raising a considerable endowment fund. Xew buildings also were erected on the campus, among which were Judson Cottage, erected by the Baptist ladies of South Carolina at a cost of $2,800. and Griffith Hall at a similar cost. At the termination of Doctor Manly's incumbency. Dr. A. I . Montague was chosen president. The administration of this brilliant man was one of great undertaking and accomplishment. During the first year that he was officially connected with the University, two modern and much-needed buildings were erected on the campus—Montague I fall (the dormitory), at a cost of $12,000. and Judson-Alumni Hall (the auditorium), costing $22,000. Dr. Edwin M. Potcat, the present President, succeeded Doctor Montague in 1903. In this year, through the untiring efforts of the financial agent. Rev. Joel I. Allen, subscriptions amounting to $125,000 were secured for Furman's endowment. Of this amount $21,000 was given by that “grand old man.” who gave his time, talent and fortune to the institution which was so dear to him— Dr. C. II. Judson. In March, two years later. Mr. ndrew Carnegie proposed to donate $15,000 for a Library Building, provided that a like sum be raised as an endowment for the Library, 'file condition was met bv the generous response of Doctor Judson, who created the Chas. 11. Judson Endowment Fund for the Library. On January 12. 1907. in his eighty-seventh year. Doctor Judson passed over the River into the Great Beyond. He had been connected with the University for fifty-six years, during which time he served as Professor. Treasurer. Acting President, and Dean. In recognition of bis eminence as a mathematician and teacher, a short lime before his death he was granted a pension of one thousand dollars per annum by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Doctor Judson. in his last will and testament, made the Library Endowment Fund residuary legatee of bis estate, and it is expected that several thousand dollars will in this way be added to the fund. 18

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Alma Mater Tune: “Creation.'' by Haydn 'flic Mountain City is here home. A mountain river laves her feet. But from far coasts her children come. And crown her broxv with dowers sweet: And ‘neath her shade they rest secure. And drink from wisdom s fountains pure. And rally, loyal sons and true. Round our dear Alma Mater. A ship of royal make is she. And brings her treasure from afar. Her truth it is that makes us free And gleams her beacon like a star. Twas Furman's hand that laid her keel. And Judson set her ribs of steel: The Fathers, prayerful for our weal. Launched our dear Alma Mater. A mother gentle, fair and wise. And grave with weight of storied lore. She greets us with love's patient eyes. And chains our hearts for evermore. )ld Furman! grateful sons are we. ()ur love, our lives we give to thee; We'll keep faith's vow to serve hut thee. ( )ur own dear Alma Mater. 20