Westminster College - Blue Jay Yearbook (Fulton, MO)

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

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 27 text:

xim mf! s Co 5i33f'7't?s NPO' addition to his work as pastorl until the trustees could choose a president who could give his whole time to the college. His administration began in june 1887. During the seven years of Dr. Marquess' presidency the number of students, steadily increased-from 116 in 1887 to 150 in 1894. Financial agents were put upon the field and money raised for the college. In 1888 Rev. J. F. Cowan, D. D. accepted the chair of Modern Languages at Westminster-a department which was created at that time. In 1889 the care of the college returned to the hands of the Southern synod alone, the Northern synod having Withdrawn from the plan of co-operation. In January 1892, Mr. William Sausser, of Hannibal, Missouri, died, leav- i11g the bulk of his estate, valued at 8125,000, to Westminster College: This bequest was a great encouragement to the friends of Westminster, coming as it did at a time when it was keenly needed. GYMNASIUM . In May, 1894, Dr. E. C. Gordon was elected president. The curriculum was revised. The animal gymnastic exhibition and the field day date from this year. In june of this year Dr. W. W. Robertson, whokxsince 1854 had been president of the Board of Trustees, died. - In 1898 the Board oifered a prize of 8525 to the Philologic and Philalethian Literary Societies for the best exhibition. The contest for this prize is held 19