Southwestern College - Moundbuilder Yearbook (Winfield, KS)

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Mossman had a large tent stretched on the College campus. Here the delegates to the conven- tion were invited, and before them was spread an excellent banquet. President Mossman then proposed the subject of a new building, announcing that hc had a subscription list started. The delegates responded generously, and soon about 343,000 was raised. The Board of Trustees immediately began to plan, bids were submitted, and on November 5th, 1908, the construction of the new building was awarded to H. Eilenberger S: Company, of Chicago. Work was begun at once. The new building is to be ready for occupancy by the opening of the second semester of next year, and will cost when completed about 2iiS70,000, most of this amount having already been raised. A more picturesque situation for the new building could sca1'cely be imagined. To the south and west lies the city of Winfield, girded by the Walnut rivcrg While to the north and east stretch fertile fields and broad pastures. Nor did the activity of the President cease here. In 1906, an Athletic Park, one block west of the campus and containing about tive acres, was purchased. A high board fence was erected around the Park, and here all out-door athletic contests are held. An instructor in athletics has been added to the faculty, and all such events come under his supervision. SOUTHWESTERN AS A COLLEGE But not so much by what a school has is it known, as by the finished product that it turns out. Southwestern is justly proud of her record as a college of Kansas. Twice has her representa- tive won the State Oratorical contest: in 189-L, John VV. Wetzel, now professor of oratory at Yaleg and in 1905, Wilbur E. liroadie, now a practicing-attorney in Wintield. In debate, also, we have been equally successful. 1Ve administered to Baker, in 1906, the second defeat in lier debate historyg we defeated Ottawa University successively in 1907 and in 1908. Southwestern is also remarkable for the air of studiousness that pervades the entire student body. And combined with this, there is a high moral and religious tone, which makes our College an excellent place for a young man or a young woman. Our literary societies, more than any other one feature, contribute to the great enjoyment and benefit of college life. There is a spirit of rivalry among them, which adds pungeney without sharpness. The broad and general training received here fits the student peculiarly well for any work that may follow his college course. The policy of an institution controls in a great measure the policy of its student body. The faculty of Southwestern has ever striven to maintain a high moral standard. That this policy has been eminently successful is fully attestd by the alumni of the College. It has always been the endeavor of Southwestern to produce well-balanced, full-rounded men and women, who, because of their high intellectual and moral qualities, are excellently qualified to take their place in the larger work of the world. fl- Y iff' at , i-- - Qidfil, giiifiiivfsl ,, ., , -, A-. -JF. ., at i-I fy ug.. Y' EH. M, 4. 1 M ,U K , .,i ig .b fs OLD COLLEGE HALL 8

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Historical PANORAMIC VIEW QWQMQA ITUATED about one and one-half miles northeast of the business center of Winfield is Southwestern College. Through a shady avenue of maple trees, the hall can be seen standing well back from the street. Many trees are Sw scattered over the broad campus, giving it an inviting and picturesque ap- AF' pearance. Just back of the college building rises a large hill, on the western .' V f,ga A s W' 1 . slope of this are many small cedar trees. At the present time, a new college ' hall is being erected on the summit of the hill. Standing at the southwest ' 3 f corner of the campus is the President's home, just back of this is the gym- nasium. The campus itself, comprising about thirty acres, occupies one of the rnost elevated sections of Winfield. The surrounding district is known as College Hill. Here are to be found some of the best residences of the city. Winneld itself, lying in the fertile valley of the Walnut river, is one of the most beautiful cities in Kansas. It has long been known for its tall shade trees and for its excellent chautauqua. Four railroads make it easily accessible from points in Kansas and Oklahoma. It is especially adapted to the needs of the college student, and offers many advantages to those who are seeking higher education. FROM 1885 to 1905 During the third annual session of the Southwest Kansas Conference of the Methodist Church, held at Eldorado, Kansas, March 19-23, 1885, definite plans were considered for the erection of a college within its confines. After much deliberation, during which many sites were considered, the college was finally located at Winfield. The citizens loyally rallied to the support of the new institution. JohnAE. Earp, a former professor of DePauw, was chosen for the work of organization. On September 7, 1886, the college building not yet having been completed, the first session opened at McDougal hall in the city. During the year, an enrollment of 229 was reached. By the opening of the fall session of 1887, the new building was completed. The administration of President Earp was very successful, and soon Southwest Kansas Methodist Episcopal College, as it was then known, began to take its place among the other educational institutions of the State. During the year 1887, a ladies' dormitory, which burned in 1894, was erected south of the present building. After four years of service, President Earp resigned, and Dr. Milton E. Phillips was chosen to take his place. Previous to this time, the College had pros- pered greatlyg in 1893, the enrollment was 613, a number that in the history of the institution has never been exceeded. But during these years, a large debt had been accumulating. Because of the failure of crops and of the general depression over the entire State, President Phillips was unable to 1'aise suflicient money to pay this, and it seemed for a time as if the College must close its doors. The enrollment had decreased until, in 1895, it was only 209. Again the people of XVinfield came to the support of the College. In the spring, Dr. Chester A. Place was elected President. Under l1is administration, the Institution was placed on a much Iirrner financial foundation, but not until 1897 was the debt entirely lifted. Slowly the College began to recover its former prosperity. The patrons of the School continued to give their untiring support, and, by 1905, the College had regained its former standing. PRESIDENT MOSSMAN'S ADMINISTRATION In the spring of 1905, Rev. Frank E. Mossman, former financial agent of Morningside College was chosen President. By his excellent administrative ability, and by his sound financial policy, he soon placed Southwestern on a firmer basis than she had previously enjoyed. The net enroll- ment last year was 505. During the present year, the enrollment at the end of the first semester was 400. In 1906, President Mossman began raising an endowment for the College, this was soon increased to !lli100,000. The large attendance now made it evident to all that a new college hall should be erected. In the spring of 1908, at the time of the Annual Conference, which was held at Winfield, President 7

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