1925 Cedrus Yearbook

The Thirtieth Anniversary EDARVILLE COLLEGE was opened for instruction September 19th, 1894. Its work was carried on during the first year in the home erected by Dr. Hugh MacMillian seventy-five years ago. The main college hall was built during the summer and fall of 1895, and was entered early that Fall. Dur- ing the last Commencement Week, the thirtieth anniversary of the College was appropriately celebrated. The main exercises were held on Cedar Day, Wednesday, June 3rd. President W.R. McChesney was Chairman of the day. He and Dr. F. A. Jurkat were the only professors in the Faculty who started with the College, Dr. McChesney being the first member of the Faculty on the ground thirty-one years ago, and Dr. Jurkat coming one year later. The alumni of the College paid them a gracious tribute inthe presentation of large boquets of flowers. The speaker of the occasion was the Rev. R. Ames Montgomery D. D., Presi- dent of Center College, Kentucky. His theme was "Modern Collegiate education and the needs of the day." One of the main features of the celebration was the parade of the classes beginning with the first class of '97, and ending with the seniors of 1924 and the Faculty and the students of the various departments. Every class had some members present and some classes were fully represented. Many of the former students who had completed only a partial course returned to show their respects, as did also a number of the members of the faculty who had served in former years, and likewise of the Boards of Trustees. The various classes of the College went through their particular stunts; the largest crowd in the history of the institution was present to witness the exercises. The Queen of the May was Miss Grace Lyle of Marianna, Arkansas; the re- tiring queen was Miss Florence E. Smith. Miss Lyle was crowned in the presence of all the classes of the College through the years and a crowd of visitors numbering two thousand. The coronation services were beautiful and impressive. Cedarville College was established to train both sexes for a definite service for God and Humanity. Three Hundred graduates have been sent out from its walls; they occupy positions of trust and responsibility in all parts of the world. The Col- lege has grown from a local institution to one that is drawing patronage from ten states and two foreign countries. It has an endowment fund of $152,000. It has four buildings, 14 professors and instructors, and an enrollment this year of 228 students. Plans are afoot for the erection of a new gymnasium and a girls' dormitory, and the increase of the endowment fund to $500,000. One of the leading assets of the Col- lege has been the splendid student body, loyal, diligent and possessed of high chris- tian aspirations. Another asset has been the faculty of christian men and women, devoted to the ideals that make for the training of true manhood and womanhood. The College is now a community institution around which all the forces that stand for the best interests of mankind are rallying. Its past history has been one of toil; sacrifice and success. Its present purpose is to maintain what has been done, to stand for the cardinal principles of christianity to prepare its students for every practical pur- suit of life, to give every boy or girl an opportunity, whether rich or poor, to secure a liberal, safe and sound education, and to forge on through the coming years to the forefront in the ranks of higher education.