Southern Adventist University - Triangle Yearbook (Collegedale, TN)

Page 34 text:

iBrief l isitorp of CoUeBcbalc IT IS fitting and proper, 1 think, in this the seventh year of the history of our college that we should give a chronological account of the happenings of the institution, since first it had its simple but dignified beginning, in the beautiful, sequestered spot in which it is located. We have heard that the number seven denotes perfection, but we do not claim perfection; because we believe that when an institution, as well as an individual, reaches perfection in its own estimation, it is then that it ceases to grow and to be of any service to the world. Still we do believe that Southern Junior College is well along the road that leads upward. As 1 mentioned before, we had a very humble beginning. Seven years ago, shortly after the girl ' s dormitory, at Graysville, was destroyed by fire, it was dis- cussed at length as to whether it would be advisable to erect a new dormitory where the old one had stood. Of course they had a good school at Graysville, and the people of the village had always given it their loyal support, but there was felt the need of some additional facilities which could not be added to the Southern Train- ing School as it was then called. For instance, a much larger farm was needed and various industries which could not be provided for there. So after prayerful de- liberation it was decided to locate eighteen miles east of Chattanooga, on the main line of the Southern Railroad at a little place known as Thatcher Switch. In the course of time, a farm consisting of about six hundred acres was purchased and the new school was opened. The name was changed from Southern Training School to Southern Junior College, and from that day to this the doors of S. J. C. have always been open to those who seek a Christian education. All big things have a small beginning. Our school was no exception to the rule, and those who have long been acquainted with the school will bear me witness that S. J. C. in its pioneer days was the humblest of the humble. The first year ' s school work was begun in the old farm houses that stood on the place, some of which were almost ready to fall to pieces from decay. The large two-story building which is now used for apartments, served for the girls ' dormitory, as well as kitchen, dining- room, and parlor. There was not a large enrollment that first year so the big house served all four purposes very well. Perhaps you are wondering why I have not mentioned the boys ' dormitory; well, there is reason enough; because you see, there wasn ' t any. Can you imagine a preceptor in charge of a boys ' dormitory when there wasn ' t any dormitory of which to be in charge? Well, that is just the situation in which Professor Marshall found himself. The boys were scattered about the place in tents, in old houses, and in nearly any place they could find. Perhaps it seems rather hard to think that the students had to live under such conditions, but when you learn that the faculty fared not a whit better, and that there was never a word of complaint from the lips of anyone, it seems even more marvelous. The president ' s mansion was a small two-roomed hut with cracks in the wall large enough for one to get a view of the surrounding scenery. The roof was so full of holes that when it rained, every tub and pan on the place had to be drafted