Olivet Nazarene University - Aurora Yearbook (Bourbonnais, IL)

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students at work in old library. In 1914, the first yearbook, the Aurora, was published. It was put out by the high school junior class. At first the stafF was a self-perpetuating organization. In the year 1915, the college, the academy, the school of oratory, and the school of theol- ogy all merited praise; but in music, IHU made notable advance. In addition to regular work in piano, voice, and violin, there were several organizations worthy of mention, including the brass band, the orchestra, the Mandolin, the boys ' and the girls ' Glee Clubs, and the Miriam Quartet. Also in 1915, the name of the school, Illinois Holiness University, was changed to Olivet University. The heating plant was built in 1916, cost- ing $14,000. The academy was accredited by the Uni- versity of Illinois in 1917. Manual training and nurses ' training were made a part of the curriculum. Outside view of new Memorial Library. Students studying in the new library. Page Seventeen

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Academic March at Olivet, Illinois. The following year, 1908, two farms were purchased by Mr. Nesbitt and Mr. F. E. Richards for the purpose of estab- lishing a permanent school location. Forty-six acres were set aside for a campus, and the rest was divided off into lots to be sold, the proceeds being paid into the school. A frame building consisting of three small rooms was used to house the gram- mar and academy departments. The Lincoln House, a large house across the road so named because Abraham Lin- coln often stopped there, was used as a dormitory, library, and business office. A tent stretched upon the campground was used as a dining hall. Continuing the aim of the school as a place where the Bible and holiness should be taught, the trustees added the College of Liberal Arts in 1909. A large three-story brick dormitory was erected. During this year Dr. A. M. Hills was chosen as the President. The enrollment was over fifty. In 1910, Ezra T. Franklin was made president. A large brick administration building was erected at the cost of fifty thousand dollars. Also a camp meeting tabernacle, seating one thousand five hun- dred people was built near the campus. By 191 1, the campus included nearly sixty acres which subsumed a large maple grove and sugar camp. The following year the student body kept growing. The needs of the college were many. The in- debtedness of the college was increasing, and it was becoming more and more apparent to the trustees that they could not depend upon voluntary support from independent groups to meet their needs. So in 1912 the Board of Trustees of Illinois Holiness University, after prayer and due consideration, believ- ing it to be for the betterment of all concerned, tendered the Illinois Holiness University to the Chicago Central District of the Church of the Nazarene, who accepted this gift and assumed control. The church also assumed an indebtedness of between $80,000 and $100,000. Dr. E. F. Walker, a general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, accepted the presidency in addition to his other duties. A graduate department was added, and school continued. At the Chi- cago Central District Assembly, a collection was taken amounting to $5,000 in cash and notes to apply on Dr. Walker ' s proposition to strive for 300 students and $150,000. J ' af e Sixiccn

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The Called Missionary Band in 1933. The chemistry laboratory at Old Olivet. The next several years were troubled times for the university. The indebtedness continued to in- crease. A growing student body called for additional buildings and equipment. The difficulties of World War I years and of the post-war depression, together with many changes of administration, brought the school precariously near to ruin. In the year 1923, the school ' s name was changed to Olivet College. In the same year the school filed bankruptcy. N. W. Sanford was elected president, and T. W. Willingham was elected treasurer of the college. Six seniors received the Bachelor of Arts degree, among whom was Carl S. McClain, our present registrar. The next three years were ones of heroic struggle and unspeakable sacrifice. In spite of it all, the battle seemed lost. In the spring of 1926, it was announced that the school might not open in the fall. On June 10, 1926, the college was put up for auction. Heavy hearts witnessed the ordeal. Heaviness was changed to rejoicing, however, and tears of sorrow became tears of joy when Dr. Willingham ' s bid was accepted, and Olivet was saved. T. W. Willingham succeeded N. W. Sanford as president. The Board of Trustees was composed of twenty-three members. In 1928, the dark financial picture began to brighten. Over $3,000 was appropriated for laboratory, library, and classroom equipment. Fifteen seniors were graduated this year. The Ministerial Fellowship in 1950. Social gathering in The Nook in 1946. Pufjf iifjhtf ' rn