Taylor University - Ilium / Gem Yearbook (Upland, IN)

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l iifiTfliatfifaAiiiii i s The Taylor University 1921 Basketball team 1920 Gem Staff, one of the first yearbook staffs at Taylor One of Taylor ' s first orchestras j mn five

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iniMi iffPtoAifil Sammy Morris- living influence Shortly after the University assumed its new name under its management, the Association elected Dr. Thaddeus C. Reade to the president ' s chair. It was during the administration of this man that the most decisive events in the history of the school took place. In the fall of 1892, Taylor University admitted its most outstanding student — Sammy Morris. Sammy came to the United States from Africa, seeking to learn more about the Holy Spirit. He taught those who knew him more about the Spirit of God and what He can do in a fully dedicated and consecrated life than anyone else ever taught him. Mr. Stephen Merritt of New York City made arrangements to send him to Taylor University for the mutual education of both the institution and the new student. Sammy greatly influenced the citizens of the town as well as of the University, bringing a spiritual awakening with his complete faith and example of a totally surrendered life. During January, 1893, he contracted a severe lingering cold and realized that his hopes for evangelizing his people would not be accomplished by himself. When asked if he feared death, he replied, Oh no, since I ' ve found Jesus, death is my friend. And so he died, as he had lived, totally willing to do God ' s bidding. But his influence did not die with him. »Sr 2ii3 55SSS?Fv-i ' Q € ■ r J r yg7 SSi5Sw s!5 Samuel Morris, outstanding Taylor student The 1919 Taylor University Prohibition League our

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liii to iiilP II iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiii i On a visit he made to Upland at about this same time, Dr. Reade was shown some territory in this vicinity and negotiated an agreement with the Land Company to donate ten acres of land and $10,000 toward a building fund. In this way, Taylor was officially moved from Fort Wayne to Upland. Dr. Reade had hoped to help finance the move with the proceeds of the sale of the Fort Wayne proper- ty; but when it was torn down and sold, there was nothing left to the institution but a boxcar of old furniture. Even a setback like this could not deter Dr. Reade, however. He began immediately to draw up plans for an Administration Building and to materialize those plans on the new property at once. This was the building destroyed in the 1960 fire. It had been constructed of bricks made from clay dug right on the campus. Before the building project was finished, the panic of 1893 necessitated the stoppage of work. Short winter classes were held in surrounding churches or in available rooms, and the students stayed with the people of Upland. To further compound a seemingly impos- sible set of problems, the National Association of Local Preachers, the owners of Taylor, gave the re- sponsibility of meeting the operating expenses to Dr. Reade. The school now was completely on her own financially, faced with widespread economic ruin, buildings not completed, and no financial reserves upon which to draw. Again Dr. Reade achieved the impossible with the help of God and the memory of Sammy Morris. He wrote books, among them the famous Angel in Ebony; he trav- eled nationwide, preaching and telling, too, of Taylor ' s missionary emphasis and Sammy Morris. Money came in. A Sammy Morris Dormitory was built, and the building now housing the Grill and Bookstore was constructed as a boarding hall and girls ' dormitory. And Taylor ' s future — through the incredible efforts of one man and the inspiring memory and example of another — was assured. By shortly after the turn of the century, President Monroe Vayhinger felt it was time once again to make plans for the beautification of the campus. In the spring of 1909, the first concrete walk was laid from the door of the Administration Building to the north entrance of the campus and then to Sickler Hall. After the gravel and cement had been carted in, the students turned out with shovels and hoes, mixed the concrete and laid the walk. Other walks soon followed, section by section. An air view of Taylor University in 1919