Meredith College - Oak Leaves Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

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THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Throughout the years of Meredith ' s history there could always be found a group of men and women working quietly behind the scenes planning for the advancement of the College. This group, changing in personnel through the years, but always remaining devoted to the best interests of the school, formed the Board of Trustees of Meredith College. For whatever accomplishments we have attained , we owe a large measure of gratitude to these friends whose work in our behalf is not less because it is not publicized. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mrs. J. S. Farmer Dr. J. R. Hunter Dr. F. C. Feezor Mrs. J. W. BuNN Dr. Z. M. Caveness Dr. C. E. Brewer Mr. R. N. SIMMS Mr. W. H. Weather SOON Mr. F. B. Hamrick '

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MEREDITH COLLEGE -ITS PAS A century ago an ideal was incarnated in the minds of a iew progressive men who could visualize the necessity of higher edu- cation for women. Their ideal was voiced by Thomas Meredith, who, in the State Con- vention of 1838, proposed that the Baptists of North Carolina establish a seminary for young women. The plan was not favorably received, however, and for fifty years it was given no serious conside In 1888 the proposal was renewed by Col- onel L. L. Polk, who asked that a committee of nine members be appointed to consider the expediency of founding a school for young ladies. One year later the recommendations of this committee were adopted, and the long struggle was begun. The committee, increased to twentv-five members, became the first Board of Trustees and entered enthusi- astically on its work. Though discouraged by the almost insurmountable difficulties, the Trustees, true to the ideal, refused to sur- render. In 1 891 they obtained a charter and selected Raleigh as the most appropriate site for the The Board, by a fortunate chance, secured as financial agent a man so intensely inter- ested that he never lost faith in the project. To this man, Oliver Larkin Stringfield, Mere- dith College owes the greatest honor and appreciation, for it was through his efforts that the dream of a college materialized. As he traveled over the state, he stimulated so great an interest in women ' s education that the contributions he received enabled the Board to authorize the construction of the main building. Dr. J. C. Blasingame was chosen President, and on September 27, 1899, the institution opened under the name of the Baptist Fe- male University. To the surprise of everyone the enrollment at this first session was so great that it was necessary to buy another building for the accommodation of the stu- dents who matriculated. Dr. Blasingame resigned after one year of service, and the Board of Trustees elected as President, Dr. Richard Tilman Vann, a member of the original committee of nine. I ' nder the careful guidance of Dr. ' ann the school grew in popularity and prestige ; the preparatory department and the courses lead- ing to the acquiring of an M.A. degree were discontinued; the curriculum was reorganized,