Meredith College - Oak Leaves Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

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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,

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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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and modernized, and the entrance requir were raised. During the fifteen years of Dr. Vann ' s presidency the number of students dou- bled, the faculty increased, and the plant and equipment greatly improved. In 1905 the name of the college was changed to the Baptist University for Women, and four years later, at Dr. Vann ' s suggestion, it became Mere- dith College, in honor of Thomas Meredith. In the fifteen years of his administration Dr. Vann, by his faith, his enthusiasm, and his courageous efforts, established for Meredith the ideals which have made progress possible. Dr. Charles Edward Brewer, who succeeded Dr. Vann, assumed the duties of President in the fall of 1915. For twenty-four years he has so devoted himself to the advance- ment of Meredith that today it is rated as one of the best colleges for women in the United States. Because he is a business man as well as a scholar, Dr. Brewer has been able to execute skillfully many transactions which have led to the advancement of the standards of Meredith. In 1921 the college was admitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Two years later graduates of Meredith were made eli- gible for membership in the American As- of University Women, and in 1928 Meredith was placed on the approved list of the Association of American Universities, at that time the only woman ' s college in North Carolina so honored. One of the greatest achievements in the history of the college was the decision to move to our present site. As the enrollment became larger each year, the former campus became inadequate in size and freedom ; so in 1923, at Dr. Brewer ' s instigation, the Board of Trustees issued bonds to finance the building project. In 1924 the corner- stone was laid and right after the Christmas holidays in 1926 the school moved to its new home, three miles west of the Capitol. Today, under Dr. Brewer ' s able direction, Meredith College is a true example of what faith and diligence can reap, for it indeed lives by the ideals of its founders, that Meredith be dedicated to the glory of sound scholarship, and to the greater glory of God. Upon the seal is stamped the word LUX, which is symbolic of the light of under- standing and of that Light which lightens the world. May those generations which are to follow be guided by that Light and never fail the heritage which is theirs. PRESENT. AND ITS FUTURE