Montreat Anderson College - Agape / Sundial Yearbook (Montreat, NC)

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10 THE SUN DIAL After Ten Years In 1915 Rev. R. C. Anderson, President of the Mountain Retreat Association, authorized by the Association, offered to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, to be used for a Normal School, such buildings of the Association as should be necessary for such a school without cost, except the upkeep of the buildings while in actual use by the school. This offer was accepted and eight Synods organized the Montreat Normal School in 1916.” So truly has the Montreat Normal School become a vital part of Montreat that only with rea! effort can one recall the town as it was or imagine it as it would be without the school. And yet less than twelve years ago the school was only an idea - a hope, to be sure, and a purpose in the minds and hearts of a few individuals. That Rev. R. C. Anderson, D. D.. President of the Mountain Retreat Association, was the actual founder of the Montreat Normal School is a matter of history. Throughout the years we have count- ed Dr. and Mrs. Anderson as our best friends, ready with good counsel in all perplexities, with gen- erous aid in all emergencies. Detailed statements in regard to the establishment and aims of the school are given in each of our annual catalogues and need not be repeated here; for us is the pleasanter task of recalling and setting down a few of the most intimate facts of the school’s life, such as have no place in any for- mal document. In the second week of September. 1916, there was great excitement in town, especially at Wildwood. Miss Jordon’s school of blessed memory. Some Wildwood girls had just returned from an afternoon walk and were bearers of thrilling news; the new school had actually opened; a lot of girls were out walking with a teacher; yes. they were a nice looking bunch; if only the two schools could get ac- quainted! - and so on ad infinitum. September, 1916. then, saw the Montreat Normal School actually launched on its career. Com- plete records are not available, but from one of those first venturous souls we have the following facts in regard to the first two years. The original faculty consisted of Miss Nancy L. Moorefield. Principal, and teacher of Latin and Mathematics; Mrs. R. B. Willis. Dean, and teacher of English, French and Bible; MissMary White, teacher of Home Economics. Besides these able teachers living in the domitory others came into the school as their schedules required. Miss Irena Foreman (Mrs. J. P. Williams), a member of the Wildwood faculty, taught Gymnastics and Dramatics; Mr. and Mrs. Crosby Adams had charge of the Music department. A glance at our latest catalogue shows that of all these only Mr. and Mrs. Adams are still connected with the school. The names of all the pupils of that momentous first year must be listed here. In the domitory were Louise Bailey. Eleanor Doggett, Elizabeth Doggett. Martha Fitzgerald. Viola Ledford, Lillian Russell, Callie Smith. Mattie Smith. Grace Watson; the day-pupils were Jean White and two boys, R. V. Alexander and Clyde Stephenson. At the end of the first year - a year of strenuous labor on her part - Miss Moorefield resigned, to be succeeded in the principalship by Miss Frances M. Bowman, who for fourteen years had been Lady Principal of Glendale College, in the suburbs of Cincinnati. Miss Jordan (now Mrs. H. J. Berkley) meanwhile had decided to discontinue her school after June 1917; and September found two of the Wildwood teachers transferred to the faculty of the Montreat Normal School. Mrs. J. I. Miller as teacher of Latin, and Miss Foreman as teacher of Mathematics and French. This second year began with a double student enrollment. In June 1918, Lillian Russell and Jean White were graduated from the school’s Normal Depart- ment. Rev. R. F. Campbell. D.D., of Asheville gave the diplomas and delivered the Commencement address. Every year, of course, saw changes in the faculty, only the most important of which can be men- tioned in this narrative. In 1918 Miss Annie Webb took Miss Foreman’s place as teacher of Mathe- matics. At the end of one year she accepted a position at Flora Macdonald College, but returned to Montreat in September of 1925. Every year, too, brought an increase in the student enrollment and in the number graduating. In September 1920 Miss Bowman began her fourth year as principal. With the rapid growth and development of the school her burdens had increased to such an extent that the school’s Execu- tive Committee appointed Mr. J. P. Williams business manager, a position that he consented to hold for one year only. For the first time, too, a housekeeper was put in charge of the domestic affairs of the domitory.

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THE SUN DIAL 15 Commencement Calendar Thursday Evening:. May 20th, 8:00 o’clock . Play by Dramatic Club Friday Evening, May 27th, 8:00 o’clock Glass Play Saturday Afternoon. May 28th. 4 to 0 o’clock - - Home Economics Exhibit and Reception Saturday Evening, May 28th, 8:00 o’clock -......— Music Evening Sunday Morning, May 29th, 11:00 o’clock Baccalaureate Sermon Sunday Evening. May 29th, 8:00 o’clock ... Sermon to Christian Endeavor Monday Morning, May 80tn, 10:30 o’clock Graduating Exercises Monday Evening, May 30th. 8:00 o’clock Anniversary Exercises. Banquet, and Alumni Meeting. SENIOR CLASS PLAY Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster was a charmin' Comedy presented in Four Acts by the Senior Normal and Senior High School Classes as their Graduating Class Play. It told the story of Judy, a pretty little drudge in a bleak New England Orphanage. Jervis Pendleton, a visiting trustee be- came interested in Judy and decided to send her to college and give her a chance. He adopted the cognomen of John Smith and became her merciful benefactor. Judy, however, simply called h.m “Daddy Long Legs” instead of John Smith. Her charm and bcau.y impressed him above everything else, and the merry story continued through a maze of delightful incidents until the real identity of Jervis Pendleton is discovered to Judy. Both as Jervis Pendleton and as Daddy Long Legs he pro- fessed his love for Judy, and the play ended with the brightest prospects of happiness for two. The play was one in which each player showed a wide scope for real talent and developmcent, and a play in which each player was a “Star.” The Senior Classes made a notable success on its production by Miss Burkhalter at the Auditorium. Characters Jervis Pendleton Myrtice Smith James McBride ... - - -Amanda Bedinger Cyrus Wykoff Mary Dulaney Abner Parsons Elizabeth Roberts Griggs------------------- --- - Evelyn McElroy Walters---- .... ... Irma Henry Judy . . . Annie Bell MacDonald Miss Prichard —Mary Seehorn Mrs. Pendleton - —Priscilla Kincaid Julia Pendleton - Kathleen Wallace Sallie McBride - Martha Patton Mrs. Semple - ... .Julia McElroy Mrs. Lippett ... ... Ida Luttrell Sadie Kate - Mary McCall Gladiola --- Princie Maphet Loretta ---- Margueite White Mammie --- Cora Lee Harrison Freddie ----- Sara Abernethy Sara - - Elizabeth Worrell Carrie - .. Ruby Carter For th. Play Orphan Children at the John Grier Home Director ---- Stage Manager Costumes Property Girls Curtains - — Miss Burkhalter Mary Ella Milner — ... ......Miss McGirt t---------Grace Brown { Elizabeth Hollingsworth t---- —Cumi Rhodes S -Mary Hughes A TRIBUTE TO Mrs. WOODWARD Those of us who know her best, love her best. Mrs. Woodward came to Montreat Normal School three years ago. and immediately found a place in our hearts. It is our belief that few realize just what a busy life she leads. Although she has the many duties of Lady Principal to perform she always has time to help with banquets, part- ies, and other activities of the school and to advise and sympathize with us whenever we need her help. Each year she has advised the staff in publishing the “Sun Dial.” Mrs. Woodward has taken the responsibility of the business part of tin- paper and has shown a great interest in the work. We appreciate her help and co-operation and although we cannot express all our gratitude here, we wish to show a part of it by these few words of thanks.

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THE SUN DIA I 17 On October 31st tragedy came to the school in the sudden death of its beloved Principal. In a chapel talk Miss Bowman had once said to her girls, words like these, “Don’t talk of preparing for life. How do you know that you are to live longer than to-day? To-day is your life; do your work now.’’ As she taught so she herself lived - working devotedly, lovingly, as if each day were to be the last. Death found her ready, for her daily task had been faithfully done. The months that followed brought many difficult problems. However. Mrs. Willis, as acting prin- cipal and Mr. Williams carried on the work successfully with the cooperation of the faculty. The school was fortunate in having as Miss Bowman's successor Miss Sallie N. Austin (now Mrs. F. L. Hyndman) who served as principal for two years. In 1921 came to the school, also. Miss Helen Dickinson as head of the Normal department and Miss Leona Miller as housekeeper. At the opening of the seventh session on account of the pressure of other duties Mrs. Willis had felt oblidged to resign from the faculty. In losing Mrs. Willis the school lost a teacher outstanding in scholarship and personal magnetism. Her wit and wisdom, combined with unequenchable enthu- siams for whatever subject she might be teaching, make her an exceptional figure even among the many good teachers who have been connected with the school. For six years the Montreat Hotel served as the only school building. In September 1922 classes were transferred to the chapel and class rooms in Anderson Auditorium, which had just been com- pleted. Miss Austin’s resignation after two years of most efficient service again left the school without a head. The catalogue for the year 1923-24, however gives this information; “N. B. for the year 1924-25 the position of Superintendent will be filled by I'rof. S. L. Wood- ward. at present Sperintendent of schools, Morristown, Tennessee. Meanwhile Miss Nannie G. Watkins, graduate of Randolph-Macon and an experienced teacher, consented to act as principal for the year 1923-24. Of the teachers who are now with us - Mrs. Dorsey and Miss McGirt were added to the faculty in that year. Dr. Margery J. Lord, too, began her years of service as school physician. One date of this eight session stands out before all others; on January 21. 1921 the Montreat Hotel was destroyed by fire, and the school was left homeless. As always happens at such times, neighbors came to the rescue and every one was soon housed. At the earliest possible moment, how- ever, Andelk Lodge and Sylvan Heights were opened as domitories. We recall with some pride that in spite of the encvitable disorder and confusion classes failed to meet only one day. This was large- ly due to the indomintable spirt of Miss Watkins, who in those trying days seemed to be given the faith to remove mountains. September 1924 saw the Alba Hotel equipped with a heating plant and converted into a donii- tory. Here begins Mr. and Mrs. Woodward’s record of devoted service to the school. Miss Watkins returned as lady principal, but in February was released to take up missionary work in Cuba. In 1926 Mrs. Woodward was appointed Lady Principal, a position that she already held in fact, if not in name, since to her every one turned for the solution for the unending problems of domitory life. The last two years have shown much growth and progress along all lines. The enrollment has in- creased from the original twelve to the present 110; where the first graduating class numbered two, the present class numbers thirty. Doubtless many of those who have gone out from the school in these ten years of its existence are making history - of a local if not a national character; but until we shall have succeeded in orga- nizing the much needed Alumnae Association, their d eds must remain unknown and unsung by the very Institution that is most desirous of following their careers. M.M.M.