Mississippi College - Tribesman Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

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President John William Provine, M. A., Ph. D., L. L. D. B. S M University of Mississippi, 1888; M. A., ibid., 1890; Ph. D., Goettingen, 1892; Fellow in Chemistry, University of Mississippi, i 888-’89; Chair of Chemistry, Mississippi College, 1893; President Mississippi College, 1911 — . 8

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ii l t } t him, in the fall of 1892, he decided “to go up to college’’. He did his own cooking and did such work as he could find to do, and with character of close economy, and by teaching during his vacations, he finished his college course in debt only $550.00. One session his entire expenses were only $72.55. I remember well, the hardships he endured, and how the struggling boy felt about it. One day in conversation with me, he said: “It is hard to do as I am compelled to do, and I have thought that possibly you people of the college looked down on one of my kind.” My reply earnest and sincere was, “Mr. Latimer, it is our kind to whom the people of the college are looking for great things”. This remark seemed to give him new courage, and more it drew’ me to him with a closer bond which has strengthened with the years. I hese hardships were tests of his manhood of what sort it was. Upon his graduation he was given a fellowship in science. In 1898, he received the Master’s degree. He spent the three following summers in the University of Chicago. In 1898, he was made Assistant Professor of Greek in full charge of the Department, and in 1899, was made full Professor which position he still holds. He has developed his Department until it now ranks among the leading Greek Depart- ments of all the Southern colleges. Two things have conspired to bring this about: his profound scholarship, and his great ability as a teacher. On January 3rd, 1900, Professor Latimer was most happily married to Miss Myrtle Webb, the youngest daughter of Dr. W. S. Webb, so long the honored and revered President of Mississippi College. “Miss Myrtle”, as she was called by scores of old students and friends, will be lovingly remembered for her gracious charms and usual personality, while the echo of her rare and beautiful lyric voice lingers in our hearts as a happy memory. To this union were born four splendid children, Webb, the oldest, the twins, Margaret and John, and dainty baby Catherine. A crushing blow came to this happy home on December 27th, 1913, the devoted wife and mother was called to ' join the “choir invisible”. Professor Latimer not only takes rank as a scholar and a teacher, hut is also an exponent of high Christian citizenship and civic righteousness. Three times have his towns men expressed their appreciation of his worth, by elecitng him mayor of our little city. Whether as a scholar, teacher, citizen, or public official, in his life is demon- strated the beautiful truth, “That men may rise on stepping-stones Of their dead selves to higher things”. A. J. A. ft s 7

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I 0 Jfarulttj Algernon Jasper Aven, M. A., LL. D. Professor of Latin. A. B., University of Mississippi, 1884; M. A., ibid., 1889; Principal Coles Creek Academy, 1884- ’85; Principal Winona Male Academy, 1 8 8 5-’89 ; Professor of English, Mississippi College, 1889- ’90; Professor of Latin, Mississippi College, 1890 — . John Henry Barber, M. A. Th. D. Professor of German. A. B., Mercer, ’05; M. A., University of Ala- bama, 13; Th. D., Southern Theological, 09; Pastor Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Clinton. Pat Henry Eager, M. A. Professor of English. A. B., Mississippi College, 1877; M. A., ibid., 1878; Professor of Mathematics, ibid., i 878-’82; President Brownsville Female College, Tennessee, iS 82-’87 ; Professor of English, Baylor College, Texas, i887-’9o; Professor of Philosophy, Univer- sity of Mississippi, i890-’9i ; President of Baylor College, 1 89 1 -’94 ; Graduate Student, University Chicago, Summer Term, 1899. 9