University of the South - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Sewanee, TN)

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CAP Paying Sewanees Debt HE campaign for the payment of Sewanee ' s debt originated in reality in connection with the selection of Bishop Knight for the post of Vice-Chan- cellor. From the first mention of the matter to him he insisted that he would not undertake the tremendous task unless it was agreed on all sides that the finances of the University should be mended in order that his whole attention might be centered on advancing its interests instead of groping in a cloud of unsatisfied past obligations. His point was acceded to and the idea took more definite shape while the Vice- Chancellor was on a visit to Texas with the football team in the fall of 1915 and was urged by the Cleveland boys and others. Returning to the Mountain, Bishop Knight laid plans for the holding of a convention in Chattanooga on Washington ' s birthday, to be preceded by a personal visit by him to the principal cities of the dioceses of the church affiliated with the University. Accompanied by Mr. David Shepherd and Mr. Leland Rankin, he started on his journey the first week in January, 1916, and when he returned to his office over a month later the South had been very thoroughly traversed. At each stop the representatives of the alumni and the clergy were gotten together, largely as a result of letters that had been written ahead and wide publicity which had been given by the newspapers. Some- times a dinner or luncheon was arranged, and sometimes it was a simple meeting, but in each instance Bishop Knight clearly presented the condition of the finances of the University, together with an earnest appeal for assistance and a glowing account of the possibilities if proper support were given, concluding always with an invitation for a delegation to be sent to the Chattanooga convention. The result of this swing around the circle was that tongues were set talking about Sewanee, and at Chattanooga there gathered on Washington ' s birthday a fine body of more than a hundred of the leading men of the South, all bent upon one mission, the lifting of the debt of the University of the South. That date and city had been selected because of the founding of the University of the South grew out of a meeting held on a patriotic holiday, July 4, 1857, at Lookout Mountain. Strong speeches were made by Bishops and laymen, and before adjournment a pledge had been made by those present to raise the three hundred thousand necessary by June 1 , and a considerable part of the sum had been subscribed. A campaign for the balance was proposed, a central com- mittee was named, and a fund for the expenses of the work was underwritten by in- dividuals. Following the Chattanooga convention, the central committee, with Bishop Knight at its head, opened offices in Walsh and undertook the task of reaching those who might be interested in the University. Attractive publications were gotten out. countless letters were written, and, later, bulletins were issued and scattered broadcast, showing the (9)

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CA-P 5 GOWN CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF DEBT CAMPAIGN (8)

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G PS GOWN progress of the subscription-getting. Frequent meetings were held by the central com- mittee in nearby cities, and in the latter stages speakers were sent to such points as seemed slow in responding. Early in May a survey of reports showed that over two hundred thousand dollars had been signed for, and then began the final redoubling of efforts in all directions. By the generous actions of close friends of the University in the last days, the total amount was raised by June 1 , and the success of the movement was announced and acclaimed at Commencement. It is impossible to give the names of those who made this success possible. Any attempted list would be interminable and unfair at best. From every diocese, almost from every parish, from Philadelphia and New York and from distant parts of the world, assistance came, swelling the total ever higher, until the line was crossed and the promise of all or none was redeemed, making all pledges available. Look around you. The difference this financial campaign has brought is apparent on every side. There are more students in the University and in S. M. A., and the name of Sewanee has been heralded far and wide as it never had been before. Cheer- fulness is a characteristic of the atmosphere, and there are no clouds in the sky. Sewanee, dear old Sewanee, has cast aside the habiliments of youth and is marching in her maturity along with the bravest and best. (10)