Westminster College - Blue Jay Yearbook (Fulton, MO)

Page 25 text:

Gsm c xo mv :CIO . K P' . G. cmurrrsnnn P fr, 5 0' B . crow' We might now notice briefly the financial condition of the college up to this time. At the beginning of the Civil War the total assets of the college amounted to somewhere near QS150,000. The Civil War swept away the greater part of this. In 1869 we find that of the old endowment the largest sum thought to be available was 5lE35,000. The same year an effort was made to raise a new endowment. About 554.000 was secured. Thus in 1870 West- niinster's total endowment was not quite Ef390,000, and part of this was not available. . V l SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW Hy 1873 financial affairs had reached such a crisis that the trustees found it necessary to reduce the number of the facility and in other ways to cut down expenses to the very lowest ngure possible. This year Dr. Rice resigned the presidency. Seven years of financial difficulty followed. In 1880, Prof. C. C. Hers- nian, who for three years had been acting-president, was elected president of the college. During the following years the college conducted its work of education most successfuily. VVe are told that the outlook in all directions except 17

Page 24 text:

' fmt ' in - , t .Wa A The following year C1862-35, 89 young men were in attendance. The next year Rev. john Montgomery, D.D., was elected president. He accepted, serving this year and a few months of the next. During 1865 the lack of funds was felt so keenly that it was necessary to decrease the teaching force of tl1e college, leaving only Drs. Montgomery and Fisher. A little later the services of Mr. John Harvey Scott were secured as professor of mathematics. Dr. Scott was then in the last part of his senior year at Westminster. We find that from the very first-A he was eminently successful in his department. ACROSS THE CAMPUS ' The year 186677 was marked by an attendance of 160 students-a number which up to the last two years has not been equalled, except in 1858- Con- sidering the state ofthe country at this time Qimmediately after the Civil Warj, this number was very remarkable. V In.1868 Dr. N. L. Rice was chosen president of the college. He accepted. Dr. Rice was a man of national, reputation, and friends of the college felt its future was assured when he entered on -his duties as president in the fall of that year. In September of the year following he was formally inaugurated. He was the first president thus installed. , 16

Page 26 text:

'1-'ii'- ,, X l P. ' -- W' , 1' M -? .'-1' money were most hopeful. During this period of the college's history the need for better financial support was sorely felt. In 1883, we are told, negotiations in regard to co-operation by the two synods in support and control of the college were renewedf' Both synods CNorthern and Southern Presbyterian 'churchesj were deeply convinced of the necessity of more efficient methods of carrying on the work of Christian education in Missouri. A plan of co-operation was agreed upon and carried into effect. I Dr. C. C. Hersmau resigned the presidency in june 1887 on account of ill- health. His service as president had been so highly satisfactory that his res- ignation was received with great reluctance. In leaving he urged the need of A ' CHAPEL additional buildings. The college consisted of but one building-Westminster Hall. In this respect it was falling behind the other colleges of the state. Steps were taken at once to secure funds for a new Chapel. Withiri a month 310,000 was raised-almost all of it in Fulton and Callaway county. Work was begun at once. The old chapel, on the second iioor of Westminster Hall, was divided into three large recitation rooms. The chapel was completed in 1888, and has been very useful. Rev. William Hoge Marquess, then pastor of the Fulton Presbyterian church, consented, after Dr. H6fS1112l11,S resignation, to serve as president Cin 18 zcawaafawafr 'M-ew -fs-wma.-1.1: vlan . N .w-1-...aa-aw -,. ,am-,a ..,,............ ......,,,,,,,,----,YW W Y- V