Hillman College - Pioneer Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

Page 9 text:

Jirii (cation Co our ViceiJDrestbent latorcnrr Cpnbalc Hotorep toiiosr untiring anb unsrlf is!) efforts mabe possible its berp existence, this, tbe tfje first bolume of Cfje pioneer” is gratefullp bebicateb.

Page 11 text:

r T3TE PT Q7NE E.E.1 1918 □ History of Hillman College 1 hree score years have passed since the Central Baptist Association appointed a Board of Trustees for the establishment of a college for young ladies. These good j? en ' lovers of education, observing the lamentable want in this state of institutions tted to give a thorough and elevated course of education to young ladies, established t e Central Female Institute. On the thirteenth of October, 1853, this first Board °f 1 rustees met, organized, and with Rev. Benjamin Whitfield as President, entered u Pon the duties for the performance of which they had been selected. 1 hey secured the services of William Duncan as president the first session, he Carson property in the town of Clinton was selected as a suitable location for the school. This was purchased and repaired. Thus began Central Female Institute, which for sixty years has maintained an uninterrupted and prosperous existence. In 1854, Dr. W. M. Phillips was made President of the Board of Trustees, and tor thirty years he remained a member and always evidenced a paternal interest in this c hild of his love. Robert Kells was also a member of the Board for more than thirty years. It was in a great measure due to his efforts and those of Benjamin Whitfield that the Central Female Institute buildings were not taken during the war for military hospitals, and, like others used for this purpose, destroyed. Prof. Duncan, the first President of the Institute, held his position only one year, an the second, Rev. Crawford, two years. Then Dr. Walter Hillman, who for thirty seven years persided over its destinies, was made the third President of the institution. ssociated with him in this great work was his wife, that splendid woman of “Ye old sc loot, Mrs. Adelia M. Hillman. Together they worked that the college they both ° ed might be able to give the young women of our state the best possible advantages ln ar educational way, as well as the noblest of religious and moral principles. I he Central Female Institute property, which had been owned by the Central aptist Association, became involved in such great debt during the war that it was gwen over to Dr. Hillman. He and Mrs. Hillman paid off these debts and the school was saved. In the selection of his faculty, Dr. Hillman always chose those whom he knew t() he best fitted for the position. Prof. Emil Menger was at the head of the musical ( e Partment for more than forty years. To an accurate knowledge of the science of music and to great skill in imparting to others, he added the character of a true nstian gentleman. Ti i, following item on the progress of the Institution was written by Dr. Chas. Oilman Brough: In 1889, the value of the Institute property was substantially increased by the a( vr° n a commoc Iious chapel building and dormitory named “Adelia Hall” in honor 0 Mrs. Adelia M. Hillman, the wife of the President. This building, with its well arranged assembly, scientific, Art, and Physical culture rooms and its neat and con- veniently situated dormitories, greatly increased the patronage of the Institution and insured its permanent usefulness. During the commencement in 1892. the Board of rustees of Central Female Institute resolved to change its name and giv to it what a deemed most appropriate, the name of those who had for thirty-five years been its successful conductors — Hillman College. But for Dr. Hillman, the merited honor Was short lived, for on April 9, 1894, this eminent teacher and good man was sum- moned to receive the plaudit promised a faithful servant. However, his able and de- V() ted co-laborer, Mrs. Hillman, proved equal to the responsibility, which Providence a d placed upon her, and during the two vears of her administration as President, the college prospered. 7