Lycoming College - Arrow Yearbook (Williamsport, PA)

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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

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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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Clarke Memorial Chapel Wood Engraving — John DePol with. Those who will not try to do right are not wanted at the Seminary. The ladies ' apartments are entirely separate from the others. Young ladies are chaperoned to all pul)lic entertainments. Association of the young men and young women except in the presence of instructors is not countenanced. The Dickinson Union of November, 1925, contained accounts of social life at the Sem- inary. The first social of the Fall Term in 1925 was on Saturday night, September 27th. The social ice was broken by the famous game of wink, which, though played the ' Seminary Way, ' was enjoyed by all. A reception for the students was given by the Mulberry Street Methodist Church. A hike for the girls was a pleasant sur- prise. Saturday. October 3, it was whispered through the girls ' halls that Miss Herrington would take the girls for a hike to the moun- tains. Now. we had often looked longingly toward that mountain but we did not know Miss Herrington had seen us look. About four o ' clock we started, without waste of time, to the stone quarry and Sulphur Springs. We busied ourselves scouting about and cutting sticks to cook our supper. Just then Mr. Bauman arrived with the eats. In a few- minutes we had a roaring fire and siz- zling doggies and tempting apples, all tend- ing to increase our enormous appetites. We did not try to see which one ate the most, but we know everyone had enough. Most of the girls came back on the truck but those who hiked it with Miss Herring- ton reported a better time than ever. They arrived about a half an hour behind time, but seemed to be glad for the opportunity of being out to see the moon rise and — they know the rest. But by far the most enjoyable was the annual Chestnut Party when the whole school took a day off from studies to travel to Sylvan Dell Park for food, games, and good fun. The definite move toward Junior College status was begun in 1929 when the Seminary started giving Junior College work. Dr. Long and M. B. Rich, president of the Board, both realized the increasing need of education be- yond high school and the lack of need for high schools due to the advance of public high schools. However, there was a long hard struggle for accreditation. There was even some opposition from four year institutions such as Dickinson College. Robert F. Rich, XI