Westminster College - Blue Jay Yearbook (Fulton, MO)

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The cornerstone-laying at Westminster College culminated a lengthy campaign by the Presbyterians of Callaway County to secure a synod-sponsored college in their midst. The guiding spirit of this effort had been the Rev. William W. Robertson, pastor of the Fulton church, who aptly deserves recognition as the father of Westminster College. From its founding as Fulton College in 1851 until his death in 1894, 305915011 was intimately connected with the school as trustee and fund-raiser. His was but one of many lives woven indelibly into the fabric of the college through long . periods of service to its interests. The new institution prospered through the 1850's, having secured as its president a young cleric Samuel S. Laws, who stood at the brink of a long and varied career. Lawslaid down the basic pattern of educational structure, policies, and ideals which have dominated much of Westminster's history. Most par- ticularly, he established strong precedents for control of college policy by a vigorous president and faculty permeating every aspect of campus life. The curriculum, which the catalogue set forth in con- siderable detail, revealed the typical course of study offered by most colleges of that day. Students are made familiar with the Geography, History, An- tiquities, Poetry, and Literature of the Scriptures as of the Classic Authors. It is the design, in a word, to put Jerusalem, Athens and Rome abreast. , f. , e ---Y -.-,Y V - A V - -..., W... - ..-.. -.-.. . N..- ...-T.-,.,.,.....,,.,,..,,.,.,.....ee.,..,,.,. '- 'N 4' - 7 - 'A -iii? F ' 1 -, I , Q ffiey Q Q-.W 'UW v i i' 4 ,, af., H.. , , , , ...W 5. . , 3,f.Z151:a5g.xM-y.f'.J,..uw .:g-,Ewa sw . -r. - s kgegfwrf , t n 9 -Qgiilffft-uf xgtiiifff S S1 J 5E'ig?.,g I , ,'wg.-..,q,,gf53.7, SWL? 6 N fwfiriku w Rf .,'i5gw.,5 11. - ' J an , L-Q: Q,lT,'E4,f fu , . 'ski' 5, H.. '21 rm! 1 M --if-+--f-N' ' 1' Wrlif . T 'LIE-fx: 5 ' ' if ,i .,. 49. Mi, 3 33m 1.:.,f 3 , ,r,G,,w.. , iw. . . A , V, 1 -- I-1....i,,,... -wma r . , f .x . gzfa ay - , N - Wi ' 53, 1' 1 .i , 1. V . ,ag ,V ' ' ' ' V, 1 uf - I K . ...Ska .,,., ,. .. ..- .... 'f '1'-Y C' --.,...A.....-- .

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m, 4 8 . -1-. X- 'uitqf ' ' ' .EI A I sig P ,V .4 -.ef-... ,y-rr ,. ii. F1 ' P v L., L a l L n V 5 r Student Life was somewhat cir- cumscribed. Each day began with a re- quired chapel service at eight. The faculty conducted these in turn, each having charge for a week at a time. Disrespectful conduct during these periods could lead to public reprimand before the entire student body, suspen- sion from classes, or expulsion in severe cases. Students were expected to spend 17 hours a week in classes with three recitations each week day and one each ' on Saturday and Sunday. The latter was Bible study which President Laws and the other faculty members conducted in the morning in addition to his afternoon and even- ing preaching. Each professor was absolute master within his own academic domain, but most students quickly learned the routine of the different men. Student pranks were fre- quent but often backfired. H. M. Corbett, who graduated in 1858, reported inhis diary that Some of the boys, whom I suppose were fearful of an examination in mathematics, night-before-last carried off all the blackboards on the premises and concealed them, hoping in this way to get clear of the necessity but they were very much disappointed for the class was examined without them, and it made it far worse on the whole class. Strict rules of conduct governed life outside the classroom as well. The 1860 catalogue revealed that no student could have in his possession any weapon other than a pen knife. Most particularly forbidden were sword canes and pistols. Involvement in dueling subjects to the highest penalty. Card playing, betting, or gambling in any form were ffstrictly forbidden , as was attendance at circuses. 'l-hl -...........----...........,... .