Lycoming College - Arrow Yearbook (Williamsport, PA)

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John If esley Wood Engraving John DePol Dickinson Seminary under the leadership of Dr. Gray were numerous and outstanding. Additional instruction courses on stringed in- struments and new departments of art and ed- ucation were added. Bible study was includ- ed as a part of the eight regular courses, and a Kindergarten Department was established. A reference library, proposed in 1885, was started, and several scholarships were es- tablished. Physical additions and improve- ments to the campus were also numerous. Dr. Gray was personally responsible for the con- struction of a boy ' s gymnasium. The athletic field was leveled and a grandstand with 1,000 seating capacity was constructed. During Dr. Gray ' s administration Old Main was greatly improved. In 1888 work was begun on the demolition of the six story, middle section of Old Main. Because of a weakness in the girders it was necessary to completely recon- struct that portion of the building. The build- ing was renovated and its 81 apartments were painted and papered. This was done at a cost slightly over $13,000. In 1890 electricity was wired in to replace the coal oil lamps. In spite of this work, there was still a housing shortage. Bradley Hall was erected in 1896 at a cost of $18,600 and served as a conserva- tory of art and music. 1896 marked the semi-centennial anniver- sary of the Seminary and the 25th year of Dr. Gray ' s presidency. Ten states were repre- sented at the celebration, and resources to write off the existing debts were obtained. It was reported that in 25 years $76,074.85 of permanent property was added to the Semin- ary ' s holdings. Almost half of this was from contributions personally solicited by Dr. Gray. Forty-three students received diplomas that year. The seminary football team reached its greatest heights during Dr. Gray ' s years in the presidency. In 1897-1898 the Seminary had played Williamsport Y. M. C. A., Wil- liamsport High School, and Newberry. By 1902 the schedule had grown to include Dick- inson, Pennsylvania State, Lewisburg A. A., Lock Haven Normal, Mansfield Normal, Bloomsburg Normal, Berwick A. C., a nd Wy- oming Seminary. The fighting eleven in 1902 included a young man named Robert Rich. The Dickinson Union described him: His work at half was brilliant. This young foot- ball hero was later to become the President of the Board of Trustees of the Junior College and Lycoming College. Dr. Gray died on January 20, 1905. The entire school mourned the death of a beloved man who had devoted 31 years of his life to the development of Williamsport Dickinson Seminary. Dr. Williams P. Eveland, elected on June 9, 1905, came forward to carry on the work so faithfully performed by Dr. Gray. Dr. Eveland was a graduate of Dickinson Col- lege and was valedictorian of the class of September, 1898. Soon after he had been elected the charter of the Seminary was changed. Previously there had been nine di- rectors. The amendment of September 22, 1905, stated that there would be thirty mem- bers of the Board of Directors, two-thirds of whom shall be members of the Methodist Church, one-third alumni of the Seminary, and one-third members or managers of the Preachers ' Aid Society. Dr. Eveland headed an institution with an enrollment of 377, the largest in its history. The Seminary prospered under his leadership. In addition to other achievements he organ- ised a department of commercial education. The expansion of the school was furthered with the construction of a $36,500 building IX

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sued, making in all 185 shares. The board has continued to buy stock, until we now own 132 of the 185 shares at an actual outlay of $12,- 900. The par value of these 132 shares, is $13,200; but their value, as based on offers actually made to members of the board, for the semi- nary property, is $25,300; and even this as compared with other proper- ty in the city of Williamsport, is far below their real value. By the time of the annual meeting of stock- holders of the Seminary on June 23, 1869, the Preachers ' Aid Society had 89 o votes. Ten shares were given to Mitchell. He can- celled the lease and donated some of his stock to the Preachers ' Aid Society. On March 20, 1872, President Mussina reported that the Preachers ' Aid Society owned 162 of 185 shares of the Seminary stock. He advised the Conference to purchase all of the shares and assume direct management of the Seminary. The final push to acquire the remaining 21 Shares was made at the conference of 1876. A committee of the conference reported that if the Seminary vvas properly managed and sustained; it will he immediately and per- petually remunerative to the members of the society, in educational facilities and moral influence. In 1878 the last of the 18.5 shares were purchased. Dr. Thompson Mitchell had been a good administrator and had brought the school its first prosperity. Upon his resignation in Au- gust. 1869, the Rev. W. Lee Spoltswood was elected. A later president. Dr. Gray, in de- scribing him said: Dr. Spottswood brought to the position those qualities which are em- bodied in mature age, wide culture, ripe scholarship, and dignified character. On De- cember 4, 187. ' 5, the Board considered a stu- dent petition raised against Dr. Spottswood. Dr. Spottswood resigned on Dec. 16, 187.S, the resignation to take effect on January 8, 1874. In spile of the student activities and problems with some of the faculty. Dr. Spotts- wood s administration was termed a success. S8,787.65 of improvements had been made on the building. On February 13, 1874, the Rev. Dr. Ed- ward J. Gray, then forty-one years of age, was elected to the presidency. Under his efficient management the Seminary took its place among the best institutions of its kind, and its prosperity was greater than ever before. A report of 1882 compiled by a visiting commit- tee from several of the church ' s Annual Con- ferences showed the place Williamsport Dick- inson Seminary held in the admiration of the church. The order and discipline of the School are among its marked features, and while it is not denominational in any narrow sense, it maintains very thoroughly the creed of our great aggressive Evangelism, and hence re- vivals are common among the students, and nearly all of them are professors of religion. It has happened in other schools, to the great grief of Christian parents, that their children have returned, after graduating, that if not actually lost to the Church, with yet only a nominal religion; but we feel assured that the voung people in this Seminary have all the helps and stimulants to a thoroughly Christian life which are to be found in our best Christian homes, and that it is as much the desire of the excellent President and his assistants to develop the religious character of those entrusted to their care as to promote their intellectual growth and culture. To the character of the school was added the further advantage of its location in Williamsport. Ac- cording to the school ' s catalogue of 1884: The city is situated on the West Branch of the Sus(iuehanna River, has a population of twenty thousand, is widely known for its in- telligence, its enterprise, the taste displayed in the character of its public buildings and private residences, and the moral appliances with which it is furnished. In small towns and villages the facilities for culture — intel- lectual as well as aesthetic and moral — are generally limited, rarely reaching beyond the institution itself, and hence student life must become monotonous, lacking the inspir- ation which a larger place with wider oppor- tunities affords. Twenty-seven churches, an active temperance organization and a branch of the Young Men ' s Christian Association, embracing many of the most earnest Chris- tians in the community, with a large library free to all, and accessible at all times, indi- cates some of the religious influences brought to bear upon the young in Williamsport. The accomplishments of the Williamsport VIII

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Old Main which was later named Eveland Hall (and at other times known as the Angel Factory be- cause it housed pre-ministerial students). Dr. Eveland was elected Mishop of Southern Asia at the Genera! Conference of the Central Penn- sylvania Conference in 1912. The Rev. Dr. B. C. Conner was elected president of the Seminary on July 18, 1912. The sixty-two year old gentleman was a grad- uate of the institution and had served pas- torates in a distinguished manner for twenty- six years. One of Dr. Conner ' s most notable talents was the ability to raise funds. He se- cured funds to pay the $20,500 debt remain- ing to be paid for the construction of Eveland Hall. And I say that life is darkness save when there is urge. And all urge is blind save when there is knowledge. And all knowledge is vain save when there is work. And all work is empty save when there is love. And when you work with love you hind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God. — Kahlil Gibran d Engraving — John DePol Dr. John W. Long was the man who steered the seminary through Junior College days and saw it established as a fully accred- ited four-year Liberal Arts college. At the beginning of his thirty-four years of service, Dr. Long found a school of 347 students, three buildings, and a total endowment of $80,724.22. At his retirement in 1955 there had been added: a gymnasium; Clarke Me- morial Chapel; Memorial Hall, classroom building; Rich Hall Dormitory for women students; the John W. Long Library; a Fine Arts Building; and a President ' s Residence. The area of the campus had been greatly increased by the purchase of properties to Washington Boulevard and in surrounding blocks and the property of Flocks Brewery. The endowment had been raised to $800,000 and the enrollment was 621 full-time students In the middle of the Roaring Twenties ' the Seminary had somewhat changed its dis ciplining ideas of former days, but high stand ards of conduct continued to be expected The Seminary believes that young people can be led better than they can be driven. It strives to inspire its students with high ideals rather than to force them to do right through fear of punishment. But any lawlessness is promptly, and, if necessary, severely dealt