Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

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pii THE BEGINNING ' ' Why has P.C. survived one-hundred years? Be- cause its faculty and students . . . work to develop the balanced individual . . . value personal relation- ships . . . set high standards . . . and achieve high goals. Presbyterian College survives because after 100 years, it holds fast to the dream on which it was founded-to strive for the liberal arts education of young men and women in a Christian environment. In the very beginning Dr. William Plumer Jacobs lit the spark that ignited the torch of P.C. ' s history. He was pastor of Clinton ' s Presbyterian Church and founder of P.C. In 1872, Dr. Jacobs led in organizing the Clinton High School Association, as part of the southern reconstruction movement after the Civil War. Out of this small enterprise came the idea. Clinton College. By the fall of 1880, Clinton College was under Presbyterian influence. The spark was now ignited. William S. Lee became the first president of the college. In the beginning were 45 college students and 45 college prepatory students. Tuition was $25 a year for freshmen and sophmores and $30 for Juniors and seniors. Clinton College was co-educational from the start (the first graduating class in 1883 was composed of three women). School was held from September until July, and the cirriculum consisted of such studies as Bible, English, French, Latin, math, philosophy, and sciences. The spark had become a flame. During the second president ' s. Robert P. Smith ' s, term work for a new college building began. Trust- ees, M.S. Bailey and J.W. Copeland. Sr., agreed to contribute $500.00 each, providing that the town of Clinton be responsible for the remainder of the cost. Through the efforts of Dr. Jacob ' s, the money was raised and the new building was called Recitation Hall. The huge edifice was made of brick, was 3V2 stories high, and cost $7,000. The structure became the President ' s home as well as a place for class- rooms, labs, offices, and a small gym. Next was the brief but productive presidency of Joseph W. Kennedy. During his term many changes occured. Most of these changes took place in 1890. The new charter changed the name of the school from Clinton College to Presbyterian College of S.C. The curriculum was also modified and an addition of 16 acres was given to P.C. in December of 1890. This gift of land sparked the first productive action to- ward an alumn i association. This association planned to raise $2,500 for Alumni Hall Dormitory. Alumni Hall was completed October 10, 1891, during the term of J.I. Cleland. This dormitory was three stories high and accomodated 32 students. Also erected in 1891 was a small dining hall and kitchen. The dining hall accomodated 50 students and charged $6 a month for meals. In the following year a three story frame structure was built on the new campus. It was called Cottage Dormitory. It provided housing for both students and faculty. With Clelan ' s resignation. Reverend E.C. Murray became President in 1894. Presbyterian College needed new patronage and support from the Pres- bytherian Synod of South Carolina. However, the Synod refused total affiliation. The Synod authorized a Board of Directors to report annually on the col- lege ' s work. Disappointed. Murray resigned. After Murray ' s resignation. Dr. Spencer became president in 1897. Finally, in 1904, Presbyterian Syn- od of S.C. voted to bring P.C. under the Synod ' s full control and support. As P.C. grew in numbers and strength, many extra curricular activities appeared on the campus. Two literary societies-the Eukosmian and the Philomath- ian-were formed. The first yearbook was published in 1900. The yearbook was called the Garnet and Blue- the forerunner of the Pac Sac. Before 1900, there were two social fraternities on campus: Pi Kappa Alpha and Tri-Phis. The first varsity sport was base- ball and it was started around 1896. In 1904, William Neville became president of P.C. Within the next three years, three new buildings were added to the campus. President Neville was determined to secure building funds of $50,000 and to receive an endowment of $100,000. However, an- other problem developed. The problem was that as the Synod acquired control of P.C, they questioned whether or 2 HISTORY

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The spark that lit the torch of history 5;iS t %k: Wi---

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139308 A look at P.C. ' s past: the campus In 1910, the Recitation Hall and. opposite. Dr. William Plummber Jacobs. P.C. ' s founder. HlSTORY 3