University of Evansville - LinC Yearbook (Evansville, IN)

Page 8 text:

The school was just beginning to grow when the Civil War interrupted. The volunteer call for the army took most college men leaving Moores Hill little more than a girls' school. Times were very difficult for the new college, but the school survived the war only to face hnancial and enrollment problems from time to time for the next 50 years. In 1887, the college changed its name to Moores Hill College. The college saw a succession of presidents during those years. After President Adams left his ofhce, Robert F. Brew- ington took his place for a few months in 1863. When Presi- dent Brewington joined the army, William O. Pierce hlled the ofhce. Following presidents were Thomas Harrison, Dr. john H. Martin, Francis A. Hesterulohn P. D.hIohn,J. H. Doddridge, L. G. Adkinson, George P. jenkins, Dr. Charles W. Lewis, Dr. Frank Clare English, Dr. William S. Bovard, Dr. Harry Andrews King, Dr. Andrew Bigney and Dr. Alfred F. Hughes. Among the advancements made in spite of financial trou- bles was the organization of a normal department for training teachers during a four-year course in 1870. Annual enrollment began to increase to 200 or 225 students each year. Equipment was improved, a gymnasium was built and a girls' dormitory was purchased near the turn of the century. In 1903, a fourth building was purchased for a science hall. Student enrollment rose to 234 in 1907 with a graduating class of 26, the highest in the history of the college. The in- stitution, at last, seemed to be progressing smoothly. Plans for a new 337,000 college building were formulated. To Hnance the building, an appeal was made to Andrew Carnegie, the steel manufacturer, to donate half of the cost, 818500, which he willingly contributed. With other addi- tional funds, the new building was dedicated on june 18, 1908, and it was named Carnegie Hall in honor of the major donor. The next school year classes were transferred to the hall. A short time later a president's home WaS EllSO completed. Moores Hill College campus with Carnegie Hall Center

Page 7 text:

Our growth into a university began. over a century ago at Moores Hill, Indiana, in Dearborn County. In the autumn of 1853, Reverend W. W. Snyder, a member of the Southeast Indiana Conference of the Methodist church and agent for Brookville College, went to Moores Hill to solicit funds for Brookville College. He obtained a pledge from John C. Moore, son of the pioneer settler of Moores Hill. Mr. Moore became interested in a similar institution near his home. The idea of a college grew in Mr. Moorels thoughts and he invited friends and neighbors to discuss the matter. By Decem- ber 20 articles of association were drawn up at the local Methodist church and signed by interested citizens. On jan- uary 10, 1854, a charter under an act of the state legislature was granted marking the founding of the Moores Hill Male and Female Collegiate Institute, the first co-educational col- lege established. A three-story brick building was constructed on land do- nated by john C. Moore and Morton justice. Classes began in the uncompleted structure on September 9,1856, and the building was Finished on December 1. The college had two courses of study, classical and scientific, for its students. sl Administration Building and Evansville College sign That first year there were eight faculty members for the 197 students, 66 in the college department and 131 in the pre- paratory department. Reverend Samuel R. Adams was the first college president. jane S. Churchill Kahler, the First graduate of Moores Hill, received her degree in 1858. Laying the Administration Building corner stone www It lu. Y ff! all V D X X 1, I ,M fa Kam, '

Page 9 text:

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.