Greensboro College - Echo Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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Historical Sketch jREEXSBORO COLLEGE, located at Greensboro, X. C, has a historj reaching far back into the period of ante-bellum life. It was charterer in 1838 as Greensboro Female College, and is the second oldest chartered institution for women in the South. The cornerstone of the first build ing was not laid until 1843, and it was not until 1846 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 profssorship in the Uni- versity of Xorth Carolina. His successor was Dr. Charles F. Deems, afterwards widely known as the pastor of the Church of Strangers in New York City. Under the presidency of Dr. Deems the college enjoyed an era of great prosperity. The fourth president of the college, successor of Dr. Deems, was Mr. T. M. Jones, whose memory hundreds of noble women rise up to cal l blessed. During the presidency of Dr. Jones, the main building of the college was destroyed by fire. This calamity, joined bv 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, the school opened its doors for the reception of students. Dr. Jones continued at the head of the institution until his death in 1890, greatly lamented by the church and the constituency he had served so well. Dr. B. 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 faculty, was elected to the presidency on the death of Dr. Ried. On account of ill health. Dr. Peacock resigned his post in IQ02, when Mrs. Lucy 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 surprise. Between 1902 and 1904 untoward conditions came upon the college. First, its Hoard of Trustees was greatly discouraged on account of stringent financial conditions, and decided to put the property in process of liquidation. Later the main building 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 con- ferences, 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. A new dormitory was erected in 1912, known as Fitzgerald Hall. The building was named in honor of Mr. J. W. Fitzgerald of Linwood, who gave $10,000 towards its erection. This building was filled to its capacity as soon as it was opened to students. In the year 1913, Mrs. Robertson having resigned, Rev. S. B. Turrentine, D.D., a member of the Western Xorth Carolina Conference, was elected president. Since his election a new dormitory has been erected and was opened in the fall of 1917. This building is named Hudson Hall, in memory of Mrs. Mary Lee Hudson of Shelby, X. C, whose donations to the college amount to more than $13,000. A beautiful