University of Evansville - LinC Yearbook (Evansville, IN)

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To further convince the representatives of Evansvillefs need for the institution of higher learning, Mr. Clifford made a map showing colleges within the Tri-state area, each with a circle around it with a radius of 50 miles. This map showed that not a single circle touched the Evansville area, already a well-populated city. After hearing the report of the Moores Hill representative, President Alfred Hughes concluded that Moores Hill Col- lege should relocate at Evansville. He further proposed that the standing structures be given to Moores Hill for community school use and that one building on the new campus QMoore Hall Residence for Womenl be named for john C. Moore, founder of the college. In june, 1917, the junior college graduates were given Associate of Arts degrees and the campus doors were closed at Moores Hill, Indiana. A total of 487 men and women were graduated from the college over 61 years. Guided by President Hughes, the Evansville Chamber of Commerce successfully raised the cityfs proposed funds be- tween March 30 and May 3, 1917. With large donations from the Rosencranz family, Francis Reitz, members of Trinity Methodist Church and with the efforts of Mayor Bosse, the fB500,000 was raised. Next, the First Congres- sional District, surrounding Evansville, began to raise the second portion of the total. The total financial campaign including the matching funds donated by the Indiana Con- ference ofthe Methodist Church ended December 20, 1917, with a grand total of one million dollars. At last a campus site could be purchased. After much con- sideration, the 70-acre tract of land on which the University of Evansville is located was purchased. Meanwhile, a charter was granted to the newly located school, named Evansville College, by the Indiana Legislature and signed by Governor james P. Goodrich on February 17, 1919. The following September classes opened in temporary quarters in the downtown area. Rooms in the Adath Israel Synagogue between Fifth and Sixth Streets on Vine, the Y.M.C.A. and Central High School were used for classes. A few resident students were housed in Sweetser Hall for Women and Excelsior Club, a dorm organized by men. CD9 .1 Nine professors were selected to compose the faculty: An- drew Bigney, Charles Torbet, G. R. Franklin, Lucy jenkins Franklin, H. L. Goumez, Olaf Hovda, Elizabeth Cowan, C. W. Shumway, Eugene McCartney. When the college opened on September 16, 1919, there were 104 students registered. By the end of the first year, 303 students had en- rolled. Governor Goodrich formally opened the college during ceremonies on November 20 and 21. The first issues of the student newspaper, The Crescent, which first appeared on October 21, carried stories of the opening festivities and published that the State Board of Education had accredited the department of education as a normal school for teachers on a two-year program. Another story informed the students that the late Levi Gilbert's 2,800 books had been given to the college to start a library. Even as school started, plans were well underway for the Administration Building on the east side campus. It was dedi- cated on june 16, 1922. The four-story Indiana limestone building cost l5300,000. A

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The curriculum of the college was extended to 14 depart- ments to meet the standards of the University Senate of the Methodist Church. But the limited number of faculty mem- bers were unable to cover all departments adequately. Two of the largest departments established were in the areas of home economics and agriculture, for which a tract of land was purchased. Once again financial difiiculty caused the college to con- sider seeking aid. In October, 1915, it was suggested by the Methodist Board of Education that the college seek affiliation with DePauw University. A meeting of olficials of both schools was held a year later at Indianapolis to formulate plans for the affiliation. Moores Hill College was to be con- trolled by DePauw it was decided. The college was to con- tinue as a junior college with normal courses, music classes, Bible, economics, domestic science and agriculture. Plans for the change were still underway on an eventful day, November 4, 1915. On that day a fire burned the main building beyond repair. After it was determined that rebuild- ing the building was hopeless, negotiations with DePauw came to an end. The Class of 1916 was the last one to com- plete a four-year course at Moores Hill College. The next fall, Moores Hill re-opened in the remaining buildings as a junior college with a few special courses in music, domestic science and agriculture. The trustees voted to start a 3100,000 endowment campaign in order to con- tinue as ajunior college permanently. But in the meantime, George S. Clifford, an Evansville businessman, convinced the local Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Benjamin Bosse that it would be beneficial to the city to bring Moores Hill College to Evansville. However, rep- resentatives of Seymor, Indiana, had the same idea. After both cities presented their proposals to Moores Hill administrators, Dr. john Hancher, director of financial cam- paigns for the Methodist Board of Education, was invited to Evansville to discuss the possible move. On March 11, 1917, the Chamber of Commerce was able to pledge to raise 3500,000 if the Indiana Methodist churches would raise an equal amount for the college.

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Mayor Ben Bosse, center, and james Scarborough, architect, break ground for Administration Building on May 5, 1921. The year 1922 also brought recognition by the State Board of Education of ECI as a standard four-year college. The l,inCI, meaning Life in College, also came into existence that year. The annual was edited by Ralph Olmsted, now business man- ager ofthe University. The school continued to grow under the administration of President Hughes, who resigned in 1927. Dr. Earl Harper succeeded him and served until 1936. During Dr. Harper's administration, the curriculum was re-arranged into three divisions: humanities Cfour departmentsj, science Cfive de- partments, and social science Cthree departmentsj A gift of Mr. and Mrs. john L. Igleheart made possible the erection of a president's home on Rotherwood Avenue. It was the only building constructed on the campus between 1922 and 1947 though some temporary frame buildings were moved onto the campus in 1947. Gov. james Goodrich signs charter of Evansville College Feb. 17, 1919. of