Winthrop University - Tatler Yearbook (Rock Hill, SC)

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IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE OF DR. DAVID BANCROFT JOHNSON Founder and President of Winthrop—1886—1928 THIS PAGE IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED Page Twenty-four

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Gravel Mrs Graham . Mr » ICERS OF ADMINISTRATION OFF Page Twenty-three

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The History of Winthrop College INTHROP COLLEGE is one more proof of the great results of a modest but worthy beginning. ‘The development of the College might be divided into three stages: the early beginning from the City Schools of Columbia, the Winthrop Training School for Teachers in Columbia, and Winthrop Normal and Industrial College, in Rock Hill. Throughout the first forty-three years of Winthrop one great hand, the same hand that began it, guided it successfully. He was succeeded by Dr. James P. Kinard who is ably carrying on the Founder’s work. Dr. D. B. Johnson, when Superintendent of the City Schools in Columbia, recognized the need for trained teachers. In fact, securing trained teachers was one of the greatest problems of the many he had to solve in regard to the Columbia Schools. After recommendation to the Board, Dr. Johnson was authorized to apply for aid to the Peabody Board. He went immedi- ately to Boston and through the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Robert C. Winthrop, secured fifteen hundred dollars a year. ‘This fund was later raised to two thousand dollars. It was in gratitude of Mr. Winthrop’s interest and aid that the institution he helped was named for him. This interest and aid continued in various forms throughout his life. The sum of fifteen hundred dollars was the sole source of finance for the proposed estab- lishment. A small tuition fee was charged the students, but it was often remitted and served only as a meager supply of funds. While in Boston, Dr. Johnson had met Miss Mary H. Leonard, who was a teacher in New England and was then on temporary leave of absence. She was secured as teacher and principal. Mrs. T. C. Robertson was also employed, and a year later, Miss Annie E. Bonham. Securing an available building was another problem, but Dr. Johnson obtained one belonging to the Columbia Theological Seminary which was at that time temporarily vacant. Thus with fifteen hundred dollars, two teachers, twenty- one students and a one-room building. Dr. Johnson began the realization of his dream of a Teacher's Training School, November 15, 1886. The school was soon moved to a larger building and increased rather rapidly. It re- ceived some state aid and much encouragement. Along with this growth of the Training School, another movement was beginning which later affected Winthrop. Mr. Tillman had begun the agitation of his agricultural and industrial ideas, which advocated training along these lines. The final triumph of these ideas was realized in the establishment of Clemson College. At this same time, there was some talk of establishing an industrial College for Women, separate from the Normal School. Under this movement, some industrial phases were added to the Normal School, but the industrial element was not yet an important feature of the school courses. In the meantime, Winthrop had continued to grow and its enlargement was becoming eminently necessary. People interested in the School believed it advisable for the State to take over the control, rather than allowing it to remain a part of the City Schools) of Columbia. Due to the recent establishment of Clemson College, it was a little difficult to bring about this change, but it was finally effected. When this change was made, the ideas of normal and industrial work was combined in the establishment of the South Carolina Industrial and Winthrop Normal College. Later, the name was changed to The Winthrop Normal and Industrial College of South Carolina. Competitive bids were invited for the location, and Rock Hill was chosen. The cornerstone was laid May 12, 1894. However, it was not finally opened there until 1895. Dr. Johnson was unanimously elected President. Winthrop College has continued to grow and its influence has spread. In March, 1920, the name of the College was changed to Winthrop College, The South Carolina College for Women. Winthrop is a member of the chief standardizing agencies and other associations of our country: Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States, Associa- tion of American Colleges, American Council on Education, and on the approved list of the Association of American Universities. “The College plant includes a campus of about seventy- five acres, an Administration Building, a Class Room Building, a Training School Building, Tillman Science Hall, six dormitories, Joynes Hall for the faculty, a dining hall, Carnegie Library, Johnson Hall, Gymnasium, Infirmary, and Home Management House. The College owns also a farm of two hundred fifty-nine and three-fourths acres. The estimated value of the College in 1929 was three million, two hundred twenty-two thousand, one hundred forty- eight dollars and sixty-four cents. The student body numbers approximately seventeen hundred fifty students and the faculty over one hundred. However, the services of the College is the real measure of its success. Winthrop College has lifted the women of South Carolina and has enabled them to serve better their state and the world. The Winthrop Daughters form a large group who have scattered themselves over the world and have entered many and various fields of activity. All remember faithfully their Alma Mater and the Great Personality that it honors, their dear ‘‘Debe.” Page Twenty-five