Pfeiffer University - Chimes Yearbook (Misenheimer, NC)

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A HISTORY We at Pfeiffer feel that our school has one of the brightest futures of any school of its type in the country. In order that everyone interested might have a better knowledge of the amazing progress which is our history, the staff has decided to include a short historical sketch in this issue. In 1899, Miss Emily Pruden, one of the early leaders of education in North Carolina, established a small school in Lenoir. North Carolina. It was named in honor of Ebenezer Mitchell, a veteran of the Union Army in the War between the States. Mrs. Mitchell of Dayton, Ohio, his mother, had contributed money to the founding of the school. Fire destroyed the school in 1903, and the authorities appealed to the Woman’s Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church for help. The society took over the operation and management of the school and moved it to its present location at Misenhcimer in 1907. Two buildings were erected, Mitchell Home for girls and Cline Hall for boys. Again in 1914, the school was the victim of another fire. 1'his time the main building was destroyed and Cline Hall had to be used as a girls’ dormitory. The boys were housed in the village. Also in 1914, the high school was accredited by the State Department. In 1928, two years of college were authorized and the lower grades were gradually abandoned. The school then concentrated on the last two years of high school and the first two years of college. In 1933, W. S. Sharp, a man who has meant much in the development of Pfeiffer, came to the school to become its president. Under his guidance, the Junior College was given full recognition by the State Department of Public Instruction. Through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer of New York City, Rowe Hall. Merner Hall. Goode Hall, the new Cline Hall, and the President’s

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THE PAJACA 1943 PFEIFFER JUNIOR COLLEGE Misenheimer. N. C. Henry Pfeiffer Chapel

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OF PFEIFFER Home were erected in 1 93 5. An endowment fund was also established, in August of 19 35, the name of the school was changed to Pfeiffer Junior College. Other gifts from the Pfeiffers in 1936 and 1937 made possible the remodeling of the Administration Building, the erection of Jane Freeman Hall, and enlarge- ment of the endowment. The high school was discontinued in 1938. Since the unification of Methodism. Pfeiffer Junior College is under the general auspices of the Woman’s Division of Christian Service and Board of Missions and Church Extension of the Methodist Church. The college is incor- porated under the laws of North Carolina and is directly controlled and managed by a Board of Trustees. The Pfeiffers contributed to the school again in 1941. when Washington Hall, the Arts and Industries Building, and the Henry Pfeiffer Chapel were begun. The endowment was also substantially increased. The period 1942-1943 has seen numerous improvements in the school. Extensive landscaping has added much beauty to the campus. Educational opportunities have been extended through the inclusion of an Arts and Indus- tries department in the curriculum, improvement in equipment for other depart- ments (notably Music), and announcement that Pfeiffer will offer summer school work for the first time in its history. The most noteworthy addition to the campus is the Henry Pfeiffer Chapel, one of the most beautiful and best equipped ecclesiastical structures in the state. Our acceptance in 1942 into the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools insures acceptance of Pfeiffer throughout the South, and our recent approval by the University Senate of the Methodist Church assures recog- nition throughout the nation. Yes. if Pfeiffer’s future is as bright as it looms, it is destined for still greater days.