Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

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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.

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Campus Scenes

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Robert Adams, D.D. Dr. Adams was president until 1910, when he resigned to re- enter the pastorate which he had so unwillingly given up. Mr. A. E. Spencer then acted again as president until a president could be secured. Rev. Davison McDowell Douglas, at that time a pastor in Baltimore, was elected in 1911, and assumed office that year. Being himself a South Carolinian and the son of a Presbyterian minister, he entered on his work with great interest and zeal and was warmly welcomed by the people of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Douglas made several successful trips to the Northern cities, and a canvass, undertaken by the Synod, for its three Presbyterian insti- tutions of learning, resulted in the raising of an endowment fund of $ I 00,000. A new dormitory building was erected in 1912, and as the town of Clinton had been adding electric lights, water and a sewerage system, all these improvements were available both for the new and old college buildings. The campus was put in good order, the athletic field improved, new houses for the Faculty had been erected from time to time, and the property gained in value and in beauty. The internal improvement kept pace with the external. The standard of scholarship has been raised from year to year, the library has been enriched by many new books, the most valuable single gift being the Mcllwain Memorial Library, given by Dr. W. E. Mcllwain in honor of his father. The chemical and physical laboratories have been enlarged and improved, and Dr. Nelson has fitted up a fine laboratory for biological and mineralogical studies. The various departments have been divided among expert professors, and the college magazine has been much improved, both in matter and n form. Fraternities which have been established were gradually allowed to fall into innocuous desuetude , but the regular Society Halls have been handsomely furnished and the Literary Societies take great interest in their work. The Bible has always been a regular part of the curriculum. I he greatest gain which the college has made is the increased interest and con- fidence felt in the institution by the churches and the membership of the Synod. From the college many faithful workers have gone forth, into the ministry, the various pro- fessions, and business of all kinds. Some of our female graduates represent the highest type of Christian womanhood, while the tendency of late years is to make the college strictly one for men. From the history of its past, and its energetic present, the college cherishes hopes for an ever-expanding and more influential future.