Greensboro College - Echo Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

Page 21 text:

On College Hill

Page 20 text:

So lomon li abl e facu lty. Dr. L( edi Kator is three yea rs. HISTORICAL SKETCH QRKENSBORO COLLEGE, located at Greensboro. N. C. has a history reaching far back into the period of ante-bellum life. It was chartered in 1838 as Greensboro 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, 3nd it was not until 1846 that the school opened its doors for the students. The first president was the Rev a, who was rated as a capable and well-equipped teacher, and he was assisted by an At once the college drew to its halls many students from the far Southern states a was succeeded in the presidency by Dr. A. M. Shipp. a man whose record as an ■vritten high in the years of service. He administered the affairs of the college lor after which he resigned to accept a professorship in the University of North Caro- lina. 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 en- joyed an era of great prosperity. The fourth president of the college, successor of Dr. Deems, was Dr. T M. Jones, whose memory hundreds of noble women rise up to call blessed. During the presidency of Dr. Jones, the main building of the college was destroyed by fire This 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. 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, Reid. 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. Reid On account of ill health Dr. Peacock resigned his post in 1902. when Mrs. Lucv 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 10 02 and 1904 untoward conditions came upon the college. First, its Board of Trustees was greatly discouraged on account of stringent financial conditions, and decided to put the property in process of liquidation. Later the main buliding was destroyed by fire. The end of the institution now seemed to have come; but, through the almost superhuman efforts of the alumna; and the cooperation 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 Us prosperity has continued A new dormitory was erected in 1012 known as Fitzgerald Hall. The building was named in honor of Mr. J. W. Fitzgerald .0 Linwood. who gave $10,000 towards its erection. This building was filled to its cap.icnv as soon as it was opened to students. In the year 19 13. Mrs. Robertson having resigned. Rev S. B. Turrcntine. D.D.. a member of the Western North Carolina Conference, was elected presi dent. Since his election a new dormitory has been erected and was opened in the fall of 1917. Ilns building is named Hudson Hall, in memory of Mrs, Mary Lee Hudson of Shelby. N. C. whose dona is to the college amounted to more than $13,000. A beautiful building, the Odell Memorial, was creeled in 1922 at a cost of about $180,000. for which Mr. J, A, Odell jave $100,000. This building, including an auditorium and conservatory of musil was erected in memory ol hs Mary Jane Odell. wife of Mr. J. A. Odell. In the meantime the prosperity of the college has continued. The physical equipment has been enlarged and improved Mr. B. N Duke has given more than $100,000 to the endowment fund, and the total .isscls of the college are now valued at over one million dollars

Page 22 text:

mm The Fountain