Morris College - Hornet Yearbook (Sumter, SC)

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A LOOK BACK . . . THE WAY IT BEGAN The initial founding of Morris College was truck a test of strength, yet the venture had just begun. The College was to face a future of trials and success. The year 1915 brought forth the first two graduates with the Bachelor of Arts. In 1916-P. Morris College enrolled as an accredited college with the South Carolina State IX-partment of Education. This act was significant for not only the institution but for it's growing population of graduates. As time passed in the essence of prosperity, and growth, the school was soon to confront a national dilema. As many other institutions across the country, the Great Depression curtailed progress and promoted changes. In 1929. Morris College discontinued its normal program. By the following year, the college president resigned and all outside aid to the school was withdrawn. As a result of financial stress. Morris College became a two year |umor college; it also discon- tinued the elementary school. A meeting of the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina at Anderson unanimously voted that Morris College and Benedict College enter a compact whereby the duplication of work would lx- reduced. It was necessary, for the continuation of both schools, that each be unique. Therefore, such a compact (Morris College as a Junior College! lasted from 1930 52. In 1933. the college was restored a four-year school. The decade was equally so. The high school curriculum was discontinued in 1915 which permitted the college to become strictly a post-secondary institution. The next year. 1947, stagnated the school as accreditation was denied by the South Carolina State department of Education. Nevertheless, the college regained State accreditation in 19-19 and in 1950 received B rating of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Morris College was established solely for the education of Negroes, however on August 14. 1961. the word Negro appearing in the original charter (certificate of incorporation) was eliminated hence opening the facilities of the institution to all ethnic groups. The major priority of the institution was perhaps accreditation, full Steam Ahead was declared in 1962 the motto for the venture to pursue full accreditation with the Southern Association. By 1968. status for application was obtained with the Southern Association for accreditation. The institution already maintained accreditation by the South Carolina State Department of Education, membership with the Veteran's Administration. Federal Government for Student I.oans. Foundation for the Advancement of Negro Colleges, the National Alumni Association and the Inter-Collegiate Press. In 1969. the first Dr. Stewart Oliver Dr. Stewart diver. Moderator of the Rocky Riser Association of Anderson Counts recommended in 1902 that the Brethren begin to raise funds and secure property for the establishment of a college Bv 190$. $7,000 had been raised and 10 acres of land donated The College was to be named Morris College after Rev f rank S Morns, first moderatot of the association. After some differences the association merged with the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina and the school was located in Sumter (FACING PAGE; Much of the inspiration fot founding the school came from Dr E.C. Morris (Not to be Dr. E.C. Morris confused with the other Morris), then President of the National Baptist Convention, who presented the idea at one of the Convention s earlier national meetings. The offer to locate the school in Sumter was made by the Wateree Association

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF TWENTY-FOUR ON COLLEGE. Mr. President:— Your committee of 24 on the location of State Baptist College ask leave to submit us report:—In accordance, with the expressed wish of this convention, in session at Anderson last May we your committee of twenty-four were elected with plenarypower to find a suitable location, for a State College, for the Baptists of South Carolina; and if possible to start the machinery at work within this year your committee was first called to meet in the Zion Baptist church by order of Dr Durhami (chairman) in the month of July 1906, At this meeting much spirit and enthusiasm were manifested and various towns and cities vied each for the coveted honor, of locating the long talked of Baptist College in its midst. To that meeting come bids from Gaffney Sumter and Anderson. Gafffiey through the Thickety mountain Association offered us a beautiful sit within the incorporate limits of Gaffney; consisting of ten (10) acres of land with a new building nearly completed. The said house having been erected by the above named association, better known as the Cherokee Normal and Industrial Institute. .Wateree Upper Division asked your committee to accept as a site 12 acres of land within the incorporate limits of the city of Sumter. The said property has a debt of 2-3 'he purchase price with the reserved right to name three of 'Ihe Trustees for said College from the Wateree Association. The Rocky River Association offered ten (10) acres of land located in the city of Anderson and $7000,00 with the endorsement of quite a number of influential white citizens pledging their moral support for snd college. After a careful consideration of health locality, financial support and other things we decided to locate in the beaunful city of Anderson and the proposed college was named Morris College in honor of Rev. Frank Morris fa pioneer of the Rocky River Association) your committee was called to meet again in the city of Anderson, in the month of December. At this meeting your committee saw that no agreement between us and the trustees of the Anderson property could be reached where-upon another meeting was held in the Zion Baptist Church, Columbia. S. C. Jan. 23, 1907. at which time negotiation with the Anderson Trustees was called off. From the time of our election to the meeting of present session, and as you know' even since on the grounds your committee has had before it various propositions and offers. But your committee has very fully realized that-the matter in h.-nd was one of great concern to’ the denomination and wisdom has dictated, that your committee go slow in accepting offers. But after careful cor ideration and deliberation considering all circumstances we bud that Sumter is the more desirable place for the erection of the State Baptist College and therefore recommend that the offer of the Wateree Association be accepted. Humbly submitted. Dr. J. J. Durham, (chairman); J. C. White, B. D . Secretary. )

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official step in effort to gain accreditation with the Southern Association was nude as the institution obtained the status Corresponding College . It was that same year that the school received its new seal of identity. The artistic design was created with a two-fold purpose: to authenticate the written communication of business with which the college was involved and provide an artistic source ot communication as a symbol that projects the purpose and objectives of the college . The latter sixties and early seventies may have-been the most trying c-ra for Morris College as turmoil and unrest disturbed the campus. It was a time of uncertainty as tension reached its peak between students and administrators. Challenged with operating an institution without a president, an Interim Committee was appointed by the Hoard of Trustees in 1970-71. Hoard of Trustee members had always been appointed by the Baptist Convention. In 1975-7-1. the school was once again without a president and a second Interim Committee was appointed. It was the strength of this committee and it s consultant that made successful application for accreditation to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; candidacy was confirmed. On IX-cem-ber 15. 1978, Morris College received full accreditation by the Southern Association. The birth and growth of Morris College has received great leadership by its nine presidents and two interim committees. PHYSIC Al. PLANT The earliest available records of the physical plant at Morris C ollege show that in 1911. the Kight j map m an early catalog pictured Morns College as the center ol the State All roads lead to Sumter seemed to he a good recruiting tlieinr Below, going to church was a central theme of college life as students lined up double-file to attend worship services at a local church Strangers Desiring to Reach Sumter Will Find Valuable Information From the Following Diagram Which Shows “All Roads Lead to Sumter,”