Greensboro College - Echo Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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MR. J. A. ODELL

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ipMrattoit ■Make » friends, hut keep the old.- The nen. are silver, hut the old are gold. BECAUSE FOR SO MANY YEARS HE HAS COUNTED OUR ALMA MATER AS A GOLDEN FRIEND, AND BECAUSE HE HAS KEPT OUR INTEREST AND WELFARE EVER IN HIS THOUGHTS, WE, THE CLASS OF 1922, DEDICATE OUR ANNUAL TO fflv. 31. A. ©Ml NOT ONLY AS AN OUTWARD MANI- FESTATION OF OUR GRATITUDE, BUT ALSO TO PLACE HIM FOREMOST AMONG BOTH OUR GOLD AND SILVER FRIENDS

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Mr. J. A. Odell | 4 AMES ALEXANDER ODELL, to whom this annual is dedicated, is a native of Randolph County, North Carolina. Throughout a long life he has established a uniform record of sterling character, business success, and of generous public service. He was a pioneer of the cotton manufacturing enterprise in North Carolina, and is also regarded as the founder of the wholesale business in Greensboro through establishing the Odell Hardware Company. Among other posi- tions of business responsibility held are directorship in the Greensboro Life Insurance Company and in the Greensboro Bank Trust Company. In promoting public welfare Mr. Odell has been efficient in service and generous in donation. He has filled the following positions of trust in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South: Delegate to General Conference in 1890, 1894, and 1902; for twelve years member of book committee; for many years chairman of board of stewards of Greensboro West Market Street Church; and also many years treasurer of joint board of finance of Western North Carolina Conference. Besides aiding worthy young folks in securing their education, he has rendered valu- able service to the cause of Christian education in his contributions to institutions of learning, especially in behalf of Greensboro College. When this time-honored institution was threatened to be sold, about 1882, Mr. J. A. Odell, with a few other liberal-spirited men, came forward and assumed financial responsibility, and established the college on a stronger basis than ever before, making it one of the leading colleges for women in the state. For over twenty years his best thought and effort were devoted to this college, which he loved. And when at last conditions arose that brought another crisis in the history of the college — when the few men who had been running the institution upon their own responsibility felt that they could assume such obligation no longer — Mr. Odell was not found wanting in liberal response to the appeals from Greensbcro College alumnae in behalf of saving their beloved Alma Mater, being one of the most generous contributors to this cause. Following the disastrous fire of 1904, when he promptly responded to the rebuilding, he gave $5,000 in starling the campaign to raise the first one hundred thousand dollars on endowment. At the meeting of the board of trustees of Greensboro College, April 15, 1919. announcement was made that J. A. Odell had given $100,000 toward the con- struction of an auditorium and conservatory building. This superb edifice, now being completed at a cost of about $150,000, is named Odell Memorial, in memory of his wife, Mary J. Odell, who died December 26, 1918, and who throughout many years was a strong friend and supporter of the college, having been elected a life member of the Alumnae Association in appreciation of her deep interest in the welfare of the insti- tution. This magnificent gift, dedicated in her name to the noble cause of educating Christian womanhood, will be cherished in the hearts of generations that will rise up and call blessed the name. J. A. Odell.