Mercer University - Cauldron Yearbook (Macon, GA)

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Jr c V fcrf founcW c4 Hncri (Int.rrwty Mercer: 1833-1870 On January 14, 1833, Mercer Institute opened in the village of Penfield, Georgia, thanks to Josi- ah Penfield, a layman from Savon nah He had bequeathed $2,500 to the Georgia Baptist Convention for education, provided they match that amount. Mercer Institute was open to young men of good moral charac ter. with preference given to those who would live on the premises Each student was expected to fur nish his own bedding and candles and to work 3 hours a day. five days a week on Mercer's farm. In 1836 a student named David But ler paid a mere $64.50 for a full term's board, washing, and tu- ition. Strict rules were enforced with either expulsion or corporal punishment being the result of dis- obedience. In 1839, the institute became a university. In the same year, a Fe- male Seminary and a school for small children were opened, both affiliated with Mercer. In January 1843, the principle college build- ing burned, leaving everyone dis couragcd and at a loss. However, plans for a new chapel and school building were soon discussed, and by 1846 they were built. A dormi- tory was erected in 1848 at a cost of $7,600, but has since vanished with no trace remaining today. The year 1842 was a had year fVnf c4d ChapH. part of the ordinal campuj m Pmlifld for Mercer. Enrollment dropped to 50 students (one-third of its pre- vious years'), there were no gradu- ates. there was an agricultural de pression, and the entire faculty re signed due to discouragement over patronage and support. For tunately. no school terms were in- terrupted during the search for a new faculty. The manual labor program was put to rest in 1844. much to the relief of the students The Civil War caused the next slump in enrollment and by 1863. enrollment dropped to 12 stu dents. By the middle of that year, 9 of them were at the battlefront Mercer was one of few colleges in the country that remained open during the war. and stands out as being the only one in Georgia. Chcii Franc» Janrll Ockey 2 Prolog I

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Liberal Arts College of Mercer University • Macon, Georgia 1983 CAULDRON

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Sf e. eo . l p 32. 4- I . vi 3 o.r £ C. 2. S' j 4 ?3 Sherwood Hall «I night Ln Flournoy and Char Reynold» Dune Crave» and Ricky CMaker .Jill Harrison Prolog 3 - ' I