Dr. Jurkat was a favorite among students, instilling his dry humor about campus. He was known as the "Walking University," teaching Latin, Greek, History, and Bible. Serving the College for 56 years, he was the only faculty member to serve under both the Presbyterian and Baptist administrations. serving in the ministry. Many others were local farmers. For this reason, the paper pointed out, the local campaign would be extended to the entire State of Ohio.14 Surprisingly, in the midst of the planning for the $100,00 fund-raising campaign, President Kilpatrick requested that the Board of Trustees grant him a one-year leave of absence from this office. He wanted to become assistant director of the European Student Relief Fund. Kilpatrick said he would be based in Geneva, Switzerland, and would help "prisoners of war of all nationalities, but especially those of the United Nations interned in Germany." He supported his request with a telegram from Dr. John R. Mott, who urged the trustees to allow their president's participation in this humanitarian venture, and promised that should the Board permit their leader to render this"great Christian service" it would provide "steadily multiplying values for Cedarville College." Anticipating a landslide of positive publicity from the event, the Board of Trustees granted their president a one-year leave of absence.15 Unfortunately for the testimony of Cedarville College, the publicity received was anything but positive. Kilpatrick left Cedarville early in 1943 and went to Toledo. While awaiting his passport he was arrested. The headline that shocked the Cedarville community stated: "Girl Charge Against Young College Prexy." Neither college 82/Chapter X personnel nor the editor of the Cedarville Herald had details. Ira D. Vayhinger, who was acting president during Kilpatrick's leave of absence, immediately contacted Attorney ].A. Finney, who was a member of the college Board. Finney quickly sought information from a lawyer friend in Toledo. The Associated Press sent a representative to Cedarville seeking a statement from college personnel as the story gained national attention. The college issued a brief statement which concluded: Details of the event are not known here at this time. Mr. Vayhinger left Wednesday for Toledo to learn full details of the event that has bestirred this section of the state. Dr. Kilpatrick was not on the payroll after being granted a leave of absence. He has had no official connec– tion with the college since his leaving. lo Following his arrest, Kilpatrick was released on a $2,500 bond paid by his brother-in-law. He was then committed to a sanitarium for treatment and observation.17 Soon he was indicted by a Lucas County grand jury on the charges of rape and felonious assault. "Kilpatrick entered a plea of guilty and was given an indeterminate sentence."18 It is unfortunate that one man could damage the respectability of an institution so seriously. The solid reputation that had been built over a period of half a century was jeopardized. In a special meeting held after Kilpatrick's conviction, the Board of Trustees accepted his resignation as president and asked Vayhinger
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