St Pauls College - Tiger Yearbook (Lawrenceville, VA)

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In 1928, the founder, the Venerable James Solomon Russell, arch-deacon in the Diocese of Southern Virginia, retired with the title of Principal-Emeritus. His son, the Reverend Dr. J. Alvin Rus¬ sell, was elected his successor and continued the work in the faith of the Founder. On December 30, 1941, the charter was amended and the name of the institution was changed to Saint Paul’s Poly¬ technic Institute. Authority to grant degrees based on a four year program gave to the institution opportunity for increased useful¬ ness. (A four-year degree program was started in September 1942.) At this time also, the chief administrator, Dr. J. Alvin Rus¬ sell, was named the first President of the institution and served until his retirement in 1950. In the spring of 1950, Dr. Earl H. McClenney was elected president and became the third chief administrator. During the administration of Dr. McClenney, many notable improvements have been made. As a result, the College has been admitted to membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the United Negro College Fund, and the Association of Episcopal Colleges. Upon the retirement of Dr. McClenney on September 1, 1970, Mr. Edward I. Long was appointed Acting President. The most notable achievement of his administration was the reaffirm¬ ation of accrediation by the Southern Association of Colleges and schools. In January, 1971, the Board of Trustees name Dr. James a. Russell, Jr. (Grandson of the Founder) as President of the College effective July 1, 1971. At the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees held on Feb¬ ruary 27, 1957, a decision to change the name of the institution from Saint Paul’s Polytechnic Institute to Saint Paul’s College was reached. The Trustees also approved the reorganization of the curricula to include courses leading to the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science Degrees. The College places strong emphasis upon building Christian character. By formal resolution of the Board of Trustees, the Col¬ lege is open to students and teachers of all denominations and races. Many religious faiths are represented among its students and faculty.

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HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE Infinitesimal in number, as compared to the humanity they serve, are the salient figures of history. One such figure was James Solomon Russell, founder and first Principal of the Saint Paul’s Normal and Industrial School. The newly ordained deacon in the Protestant Episcopal Church arrived in Lawrencville, in Brunswick County, Virginia, March 16, 1882. Here he found a small group of Negro communi¬ cants in St. Andrews Church, and organized them into a congre¬ gation. By February, 1883, the first St. Paul’s Chapel had been constructed and was ready for occupancy. Immediately a parochi¬ al school was organized in the Vestry room of this small frame chapel. Soon these quarters of the parochial school became too small for the increasing enrollment, and a three room frame struc¬ ture was built with funds contributed by the Reverend James Saul of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On September 24, 1888, with fewer than a dozen students, the Saint Paul’s Normal and Industrial School was started in the building known as the Saul Building. More students came, as word about the school traveled. The members increased to such an extent that the Founder, the Reverend James Solomon Russell, realized the need for a program for expansion and development. By an act of the General Assembly of Virginia, on March 4, 1890, the school was incorporated as the Saint Paul’s Normal and Industrual School, and by that name it was given a perpetual suc¬ cession and a common seal. On March 11,1907, Saint Paul’s became an affiliate of The American Church Institute for Negroes, an agency of the Protest¬ ant Episcoal Church in the United States of America. A collegiate department of teacher training was started in 1922 and was accredited by the Virginia State Board of Education in 1926. As a result of this development, a large percentage of the teacher in the elementary and secondary schools of Virginia and the neighboring states of North Carolina and Maryland are grad¬ uates of Saint Paul’s.

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DEDICATION It is better to have known and lost than not to have known at all. Therefore, Remember me as I was and not as I am because, if you think of me as you do death, then what was once is no more and never can be. But if I am with you in thoughts, then I am still alive. You’re not gone . . . you’re just resting. By, Paulette Scott