Union College - Stespean Yearbook (Barbourville, KY)

Page 16 text:

STESPEAN, 1926 Page twelve

Page 15 text:

STESPEAN, 1926 Augusta College- — Union College HE direct connection between Augusta College, Augusta, Kentucky, established in 1823, and Union College, first chartered in 1880, has had only slight mention in the annals of higher education in Kentucky. Union College is the continuation of Augusta College as the institution of higher learning sponsored by the Kentucky Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Augusta College was started in 1823 by Kentucky and Ohio Methodism. It was the first educational institution of the Methodist Church west of the Alleghany mountains. Its first regu- larly inaugurated president was Martin Ruter, who was the outstanding builder of educational interests in early American Methodism. Augusta College served a large constituency in its early days. Students came in boats from all points along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as far down as New Orleans. When a split in the Methodist Church became evident over the slavery question, Ohio Method- ism started Ohio Wesleyan University and left Augusta College to Kentucky Methodism. When the church split in 1844, Augusta College was regarded as in sympathy with the Northern point of view, leaving it with only a small constituency, since Ohio had turned her interest toward her own institution. Augusta College passed through many hard years, until finally in 1885, it was turned over to the town of Augusta for a public school plant. The last president, Dr. Daniel Stevenson, was continued as an educational representative of the Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, looking for a new place to locate and to continue the educational program of the conference. After one year of searching and study of the state, the Board of Education of the Conference purchased Union College, under the leadership of Dr. Stevenson and the special benefaction of Mrs. Fanny Speed of Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Stevenson brought part of the faculty of Augusta College to Barbourville, and continued the educational work without a break. Union College, as the continuation of Augusta College, has a history of more than one hundred years. Some of the famous leaders of American Methodism were graduates of Augusta College, among whom were Bishop Foster, Bishop Bascom, John Miley, the famous theologian, and many others. Some of the graduates of Union College have likewise attained distinction in our day of service. In the spirit of these distinguished alumni it is the hope and the expectation that present and coming student generations will honor the name and add to the history of Augusta-Union College. President Franklin With cane of Martin Ruter, first President of Augusta College. Mrs. Mary Edmonson Barnhill With two textbooks used by her father, Augusta College, Class of 1844. Page eleven

Page 17 text:

STESPEAN, 1926 Page thirteen