William Carey College - Crusader / Pine Burr Yearbook (Hattiesburg, MS)

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THE PINE BURR ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

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4 THEPINEBURR Mrs. Mae Waller Batson MRS. JIAE WALLER BATSON was born in Silver Creek, Lawrence County, ] Iississippi, the daughter of William M. and Clara Longino Waller. I would give the exact date of Mrs. Batson ' s birth were it not that the general public would stand aghast that one so young should hold so high and so important a position. Graduating at the Lawrence County High School, she pursued her studies at Hillman College making a specialty of Music. After having taken further courses in Music in Chicago, she taught music for several years in Silver Creek and Mount Olive. Her career as a Music Teacher and as Miss Mae Waller was brought to an early end by her marriage in 1904, to Islr. D. L. Batson, then cashier of the Bank of Poplarville and afterwards National Bank Examiner. Her happy married life was terminated in 1911, by the death of Mr. Batson. Just about this time the Baptist State Convention decided to es- tablish the Woman ' s College and Mrs. Batson, who desired to give her life to the care of her little son, Waller, and to specific Christian work, accepted the posi- tion of Lady Principal. Among the many evidences that the Woman ' s College is the child of Providence, no fact stands out clearer than the coming of Mrs. Batson to care for its girls. By birth and marriage she is closely connected with many of the most prominent families of South Mississippi, — the Wallers, the Batsons, the Dales, and the Longinos, and others. Her culture, inherited and ac- quired, her charms of person and personality, her wealth of talents and her exten- sive preparation — all these things have made her capable of filling the highest po- sition in the land — and who shall say that she dees not adorn it ! jMany diverse qualities are essential in a Lady Principal — firmness, inher- ent justice, the alnlity to say No, kindness, patience, a knowledge of girls, a knowledge of young men, unerring judgment, gentleness, unselfishness, sympa- thy, personal interest, and in and above all, a genuine love for the students entrusted to her care. All these qualifications and many others ' Mrs. Batson possesses. And then as a golden crown into which these jewels are set, she holds a loyalty for her college as intense as that of any patriot for the country on whose altar he lays his all. It is always a difficult task for a monarch to rule with a firm hand and yet win and retain the respect and love of his subjects. In the little kingdom of the Woman ' s College, Mrs. Batson has done this very thing. The girls share with her their good things, entrust to her their secrets and confide to her their darling ambitions. And mingled with their opinions, there is at all times a feeling that a thing is right because she has said so. In these four years during which the Woman ' s College has grown up and become a power in the land, Mrs. Batson has had a part in every movement for its upbuilding and extension. Her warm heart, her unfailing intuition, her ready wit, her generous hand, have contributed to every step of its growth. Yet in her youth, I pray that the last day of a long life shall be spent within its sacred precincts. J. L. Johnson.

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NEVA MORRIS ALMA LOWRY LUCILE WILLIAMS GUSSIE SHORT EDITORS ADA BETHEA MAMIE KELLEY BESS SUMRALL EUNICE WELCH AUGUSTA RILEY MAE WATTS DORA ROSS RUBYE BURKETT