Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

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Campus Scenes

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Alma Mater In a city small, but rarest, In a state that far is known, In a land that is the fairest, Alma Mater has her home. She is worthy of all honor That to her we gladly give, For she is the lavish donor Of the truths by which men live. She is faithful to her mission Of conducting all aright, For she never gives admission To a view that hides the light. Our ideals are much higher Since our guardian she has been, And our zeal is all on fire Just to show the world we ' re men. May her beacon light direct us Ever upward in the right. As she has equipped and armed us For the turmoil of the fight. In the future may God speed her On her mission brave and true. Cheers, boys, for our Alma Mater, For the Garnet and the Blue! G. L. D.

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Historical Sketch of the Presbyterian College of South Carolina XN 1880, Dr. W. P. Jacobs, believing that the Presbyterians of South Carolina needed a college of their own, began the movement to organize such an institution. The Clinton College Association was formed, a charter was ob- tained and the Clinton College was launched on its career. Its assets were a two- story wooden schoolhouse, a few books, a number of pupils and great hopes for the future. For some years the college had to struggle against the indifference of some of the Presbyterians of the Synod and the opposition of others. The first president of the College was Rev. W. S. Lee, who held the office until his death in 1885. He was succeeded by Rev. R. P. Smith in 1885, and he in 1888, by J. W. Kennedy, who died in 1890. Mr. J. I. Cieland was then made president, followed in 1894 by Rev. E. C. Murray. In 1897, Dr. Murray resigned and was succeeded by Prof. A. E. Spencer, who held the office until 1904. During this time a chancellor was elected whose work lay chiefly in the field outside. This office was filled by Rev. W. T. Matthews until 1900, and afterwards in 1902 by Dr. James H. I homwell. In 1888 the name of the college was changed to the Presbyterian College of South Carolina, and the various Presbyteries of the State were asked to appoint trustees to co-operate with the Association in developing the institution. The first college build- ing was erected in 1885, on the grounds of the Thornwell Orphanage, by the citizens of Clinton. The Rev. J. F. Jacobs, in 1891-92, made a canvass of the State which resulted in the building of an Alumni Hall for a dormitory, and a cottage for the professors, on land which had been given by Messrs. J. W. Copeland and Newton Young. In 1904, the Board of Trustees was chartered by the legislature and all the rights and privileges of the Clinton College Association were transferred to it as constituted. In 1905, a still further change was made, the local trustees were entirely eliminated, and three members were chosen from each of the six Presbyteries in the Synod, together with three elected by the alumni. In 1907, the new administration building was erected, during the presidency of Rev. Dr. W. G. Neville, who assumed the office in 1 904. The former recitation hall on the Orphanage grounds was sold to the Orphan- age, and the college was located on its own campus. Additional land was purchased constituting a fine tract of thirty-three acres. The citizens of Clinton contributed about $20,000 toward the Administration building. In 1907 Dr. Neville broke the ground for the new dormitory building, known as Laurens Hall, and for the Judd Refectory. The Laurens Hall was built largely by the Presbyterians of Laurens, and Mrs. E. A. Judd, of Spartanburg, gave most of the money for the commodious refectory. Dr. Neville was removed by death from his labors in 1907, and was succeeded by Rev.