Greensboro College - Echo Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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BOOK ONE THE COLLEGE

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Historical Sketch KKKNSIJORO C()LLP:(]E. locate! at Greensboro, N. C, has a history reaching tar baclc into the period ot ante-bellum life. It was chartered in 1838 as (ireensboro Female College, and is the second oldest chartered institution for women in the South. The cornerstone of the first building was not laid until 1843, and it was not until 1S46 that the school opened its doors for the students. The first president was the Rev. Solomon Lea, who was rated as a capable and well-equipped teacher, and he was assisted by an able faculty. At once the college drew to its halls many students from the far Southern states. Dr. Lea was succeeded in the presidency by Dr. A. .M. Shipp, a man whose record as an educator is written high in the years of service. He administered the affairs of the college for three years, after which he resigned to accept a professor- ship in the University of North Carolina. His successor was Dr. Charles F. Deems, afterwards widely known as the pastor of the Church of Strangers, in New ' ork City. Under the presidency of Dr. Deems the college enj oyed an era of great prosperity. The fourth president of the college, successor of Dr. Deems, was Mr. T. AI. Jones, whose memory hundreds of noble women rise up to call blessed. During the presidency of Dr. Jones, the main huihling of the college was destroyed by fire. J his calamity, joined by misfortunes brought by war, necessitated the closing of the school for ten years. The cornerstone of a new building was laid in 1871, and in August, 1873, t i- .school o|)eiied its doors for the reception of students. Dr. Jones continued at the head of the institution until his death in i8go, greatly lamented by the church and the constituency he had served so well. Dr. I?. F. Dixon was his successor. His presidency extended over a period of three years, when he was succeeded by Dr. Frank L. Ried, who was at the time of his election editor of The Raleigh Christian Advocate. He had fairly begun what promised to be a great and successful experience in the charge of his duties, when he was suddenly called from his earthly activities by the messenger of death. Dr. Dred Peacock, who had been a useful member of the facult)-, was elected to the presidency on the death of Dr. Ried. On account of ill health. Dr. Peacock resigned his po.st in igo2, when Mrs. l.uc. - H. Robertson was elected as his successor. She had been, for a number of years, connected with the .school as a member of the faculty, and the success which attended her administration was no surpri.se. I5etween 19112 and 1904 untoward conditions canu- upon the college. First, its Hoard of Trustees was greatly discouraged on account of stringent financial condi- tions, and decided to put the property in process of liquidation. Later the main build- ing was destroyed by fire. The end of the institution now seemed to have come; but, through the almost superhuman efforts of the alumnae and the co-operation of the annual conferences, a new and splendid building was erected in 1904, and the school opened with the largest registration of students known in its history. Since then its prosperity has continued. During the year 1906-1907 the attendance ' reached the high- uater mark, and the same conditions have continued down to the vear 1924. A new dormitory was erected in 1912, known as Fit .gerald Hall, ' l he building was named m honor ot .Mr. J. W. Pitzgerald, of Linuood, who gave $10,1x10 towards its erection. Idled to Its capacity as soon as it was opened to students. In the This buihill