Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

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:. plantings and landscaping. HISTORY 5

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not Clinton was the best location for the college. To solve the matter, the board of trustees decided to submit to the entire Synod the subject of P.C. ' s fu- ture location. The trustees tried to stress that they were not selling the college to the highest bidder, but everyone felt that financial considerations would determine the new location of the college. The peo- ple of Clinton were distressed. The college they had supported might be taken from them. A special com- mitee of all denominations was founded with the job of keeping P.C. in Clinton. Finally, September 29. 1905, the board assembled to receive the proposals. Five towns offered bids for the college: Bennetsville, Chester, Clinton, Sumter, and Yorksvllle. After much discussion and deliberation, the board voted in favor of Clinton to keep her college. Finally, President Neville was able to concentrate his efforts on improving P.C. In 1906 the President ' s home was finished. Also under Neville ' s administra- tion, the cornerstone was laid for the Administration Building. This new building, with its huge Georgian columns, cost $35,000. The name was changed from the Administration Building to Neville Hall in 1944. The new building enabled P.C. to sell Recitation Hall to Thornwell Orphanage. All of the college Buildings were now on one campus. The campus bell was also brought from Recitation Hall. In the early days, the bell was used to signal the beginning of classes. After World War II, however, an electric buzzer system was installed. Today, the bell still exists in the tower next to Neville Hall. President Neville became ill at Commencement Exercises on June 8. 1907 and died. During Neville ' s tenure, many improvements were made and the stu- dent body had doubled In size. Immediately after his death, construction began on a new dining hall, Judd Refectory. Also, Laurens Hall was erected with funds from Presbyterians of Laurens. Newly elected President Robert Adams took of- fice when the cumulative debt of the college was $20,000. Under pressure Adams resigned and Dr. Spencer filled the office until a trustee committee could find a new executive leader. Even though the leadership and the direction of the college was changed several times, the faculty remained the same. P.E. was becoming more than just an academic institution. August, 1911. Reverend Davison M. Douglas was asked to serve as president. His first duty as Presi- dent was to host the Synod meeting of South Caroli- na. In his presentation. Douglas called for the college to build another dorm, a science hall, a new athletic field, to hire three new faculty members, and to raise the endowment. Douglas set forth to secure funding for these high goals. Through generous gifts. Spen- cer Dorm was built in 1912. It was completed Just In time for a record number of students. 133. Two new faculty members were added to the staff and at the same time entrance requirements were tightened. In 1915, Jacobs Hall was erected and used as a library. I hf pU a b) 1919 already showed the bencTiu of - ■ -■ ASS OF 1 00. . ■« . above left: Claa of 1900 above right Alumni Hall Dorm 4 HISTORY

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Top left: Leroy Springs Gym Top right: Former basketball team does the locomotion. Middle left: Former baseball team goes wild with excitement over their latest victory. Middle right: P.C. ' s stadium packed to capac- ity Bottom left: P.C. men are serious about their football. 6 HISTORY