Wayland Baptist University - Traveler Yearbook (Plainview, TX)

Page 15 text:

Illia. llleDonald Begins Seventeenth Year Hs President of Ulayland -Tribute given by fudge Frank Day The First Baptist Clitirch of Plainview is paying tribute to Mr. G. W. McDonald in a special service this morning, January 7, 1940, to celebrate the beginning of his seventeenth year as president of Wayland Baptist College. Mr. McDonald has served the denomination for twenty-two years, having taught in the college for six years before his elevation to the presidency. During his administration l1Vayland College has made remarkable progress, and the Baptists of the South- west are rapidly coming to realize that in the quiet, unassuming president of our college at Plainview, the denomination has one of its ablest leaders. When Mr. McDonald came to the president's chair, there was an indebtedness of 344,000.00 which has been reduced to the negligible amount of 83,700.00 fPer- haps some Baptist who learns this will be inspired to remove this small remaining debt.j Mr. McDona1d's good judgment and willingness to sacrifice for the welfare of the college he loves has made possible this vast reduction in debt. He planned and executed an arrangement by which maintenance expenses could be kept within the current income, and let it be said to the credit of all the faculty, that they have cooperated and sacrificed with him, accepting a pro rata salary in order that Wayland might continue to operate in spite of financial difficulties of the depression period. Under Mr. McDonald's leadership, a gymnasium has been built and paid for, other buildings have been reconditioned to better meet the present needs, and the campus has been beautified. Not only is VVayland in better condition than ever before, but it is the opinion of many people that it stands on the threshold of a new day in its service to the youth of the west. Called by many people The Lighthouse of the Plains Wayland holds a strategic position among our Baptist institutions. It stands in a position to minister to a wider area than any Baptist school in the southland. With the nearest Baptist college 210 miles east of Plainview and no other Southern Baptist school west of her, Wayland truly stands forth as a lighthouse of learning for the Baptist youth of West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and part of Oklahoma. Its enrollment has for years been made up of students from all these regions. Among the ministers of Texas, Wayland has many sons to whose work she can point with pride. Included in its present enrollment are more than fifty young ministerial students, and these show promise of a continuation of outstanding service in the future. Mr. McDonald has endeared himself to the hundreds of students whose lives have been touched by his, and has merited the love and esteem of the citizenry of the plains area of Texas. That he is regarded as one of the outstanding laymen of the state is testified by the fact that he was elected state president of the Lay- men's Conference of Texas for the coming year. With his flashing wit, ready sympathy, and mild-mannered dignity, combined with sound logic and sane business judgment, he is a figure to command the respect and claim the love of all who know him. 9

Page 14 text:

President Congratulations to the sponsors, members of the annual staff, and others who have had a part in this worthy undertaking. This annual will serve as a medium to recall many cherished memories. May the spirit of loyalty and enthusiasm, so characteristic of the class of '40, be a counterpart in all of your successes and achievements. fSignedj G. VV. MCDONALD

Page 16 text:

Board of Trustees of lllaylancl College lDay, lplainview C. Carter, lplainwiew 1 . L. llaeavis, Plainvie A. Brian, Levellan Cl. Britain, Plainview W. Clarlc, lplainview J. Fortenlxerry, .ll. P. Collier, fglclrain Geo. A. Dale, 'llvaliolc 5 S. W Davenport, lpampa lDr. Malone, E Dunswortl-1, Plainview Barnes, Herel nl w Flalce, lplainview Qsoorne, lPla cl Gunter, Plainview Roy Slwalwan, Littlelielcl C. Herelora, Lulalaoclc Vernon Sliaw, Floyclacl Joiner, Spur Veasey, Duma laoclc Dr. Camplaell, Dimmitt Dr. Vlilliams, Homer Looper, Plainview Marsh Watson, llglal R. McClung, lperryton 10