Hillman College - Pioneer Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

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TOE ]PI OTS[ 1013 In 1896, she was succeeded by Dr. Franklin L. Riley, a Ph. D. of Johns Hopkins University, and a scholar of unusual attainments and accuracy. He contributed much to the present high and ethical standing of the institution. In 1897, the Hillman College property was purchased from Mrs. Hillman by Rev. Geo. Wharton, who served as President until January, 1901, when the school became the property of Dr. John L. Johnson. Dr. Johnson, an alumnus of the University of Virginia, was for sixteen years Professor of English in the University of Mississippi. He brought to this crowning labor of his life, ripeness of scholarship and experience, a glorious heritage for an insti- tution which, in 1903, entered upon the semi-centennial year of its existence. Associated with Dr. Johnson in the management of the college was his son, John L. Johnson, Jr., a brilliant alumnus of the University of Mississippi, with ten years experience in the educational field of Georgia. In 1905, Hillman College came under the management of Lowrev and Berry, of Blue Mountain College. Prof. Jno. L. Johnson remained with the College one year, succeeding his father as President. Dr. W. T. Lowrev became President in 1906, and under the untiring efforts of this inimitable school man, Hillman underwent thorough repairs. Steam heat took the place of stoves; brilliant electric lights the place of lamp and candle; hydrants of pure spring w’ater w’ere placed in convenient spots about the campus and buildings; a new’ dormitory w’ith all the modern improve- ments and a splendid dining hall, was added to the buildings; the campus was enlarged so that the girls might have tennis and basketball courts; an Industrial Home was added where many a noble girl w’ho wished to make her college expenses as light as possible, has been helped. In 1911, Dr. Lowrev became President of Blue Mountain, but retained the Presidency of Hillman. Since then he has been very ably assisted in his work here by Vice-President L. T. Lowrey, an M. A. from Mississippi College. A History of Hillman College w’ould be incomplete w’ithout some mention being made of the work done by the two literary societies, The Lesbian and Adelian. In 1856, the young ladies of the Institute organized the Lesbian Society. In 1902, the Adelian Society, named in honor of Mrs. Hillman, was organized. The purpose of these societies was the attainment of a more extensive acquaintance with literature. The friendly rivalry between the two has always been an incentive to literary work. The founders of Central Female Institute proposed in her establishment a permanent institution for the imparting of high literary culture to the female mind. We believe they have succeeded. For sixty years, even during the Civil War when she was in the very pathway of the contending armies, this institution has continued her daily work. It is believed that this can be said of no other school in the south. This fact so greatly pleased Gen. Grant, the commander of the federal armies which oc- cupied the town, that he gave it his full protection. When C. F. I. came into existence, she stood almost alone in her effort to furnish in the south west a cultivated and extended course of education for young ladies. Now we see our own and the neighboring states dotted thickly over with excellent institu- tions of learning. 1 o some of these the Institute — Hillman — has been the mother, for her pupils have established them, or directly influenced their establishment. To others she has been an example and a stimulus, while for six decades of uninterrupted activity, she has done so much in awakening and sustaining the interests and in elevat- ing the sentiments of the generations in educational matters. This has been her past. What does Hillman hope to be in the future? With her foundation laid thus broad and deep, she hopes to raise her educational column yet higher and make her influence still more widely felt. With the accumulated resources of her past experience, she feels that she is able to wwk even more and better. There- fore, depending upon the patronage of those who appreciate thoroughness in education, the reality instead of pretense, she starts out hoping to make her career increasingly useful through another and yet another and even many more decades. 8

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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

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The Faculty 9