Agnes Scott College Bulletin: The Growth of Agnes Scott College: 1889-1955

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The Growth of
Agnes Scott College

1889-1955

By
JAMES ROSS McCAIN

AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE BULLETIN
SERIES 53 APRIL, 1956 NUMBER 2

Published quarterly by Agnes Scott College,
Decatur, Georgia, entered as second-class mat-
ter at the Post Office at Decatur, Georgia, ac-
ceptance for mailing at the special rate of post-
age provided for in section 1103 of October
8, 1917, authorized on July 18, 1918.

DECATUR FEMALE SEMINARY

Agnes Scott College, under the above name, started in this rented
building in 1889. The total assets of the School were then $5,000.

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The Growth of Agnes Scott College

A Small Beginning

Agnes Scott College was at first a grammar school. It was
founded in Decatur, Georgia, its present location, which was then
a town of about one thousand people. In 1888 Dr. Frank Henry
Gaines moved from Virginia to serve as the pastor of the Decatur
Presbyterian Church. He soon became interested in improving the
educational opportunities of the town, and talked about it to some
of the leaders of his congregation. He discovered a real interest
in the subject, particularly on the part of Col. George W. Scott, an
elder in the church and a prominent business man, who was already
aware of the school needs of Decatur.

In the summer of 1889 it was agreed that a school be established,
and it was decided that it would be primarily for girls and young
women. Dr. Gaines believed that education might make a man into
a good citizen, but he felt sure that the proper education of a young
woman would influence a whole family. It was decided to call the
school by the name of Decatur Female Seminary; and yet it was
agreed that six small boys under the age of twelve years of age be
permitted to attend for the first session. The whole educational
program was of seventh grade level or below.

In order to finance the venture, it was voted to issue stock at
a par value of $50 per share. In a short time, one hundred seven
shares of stock were sold to thirty-six individuals for a sum of
$5,350, the total assets of the seminary. Col. Scott took forty shares,
an investment of $2,000.

Since no one in Georgia seemed available to serve as Principal of
the school, Dr. Gaines was authorized to seek one in Virginia. His
choice was Miss Nannette Hopkins, of Staunton, Virginia. She had
graduated at Hollins Institute and was planning to complete her
degree work at Vassar College. She came to Georgia with the
thought of staying only one year, but she was to continue with the
school for forty-nine years, not only the first teacher employed, but
one of the great influences in the life of Agnes Scott. Three other
teachers were employed. There were sixty-three students, of whom
three were boarders. From the first the school won the confidence
of the community.

In the spring of 1890, Col. Scott called his pastor into his parlor
one day and said, "Mr. Gaines, the Lord has greatly prospered me
in my business, and I don't want it to harden my heart. I have
decided to give $40,000 to provide a home for our School."

It was a large sum for that day. Newspapers in Atlanta and
in the South announced the gift in headlines, and there was much
enthusiasm in Decatur. The Board of Trustees gratefully accepted
the generous offer of Col. Scott, and in recognition of his gift they
changed the name of the school to Agnes Scott Institute in honor
of the donor's mother.

Col. Scott had set his heart on erecting the best educational
building in Georgia. He traveled widely and studied various types
of architecture. He found more and more additions and refinements
that would be helpful, so that his total investment in land, building
and equipment was $112,500, nearly three times his original offer,
a truly notable gift for that day.

Aims and Ideals

The founders of the new school were determined that it would
be an institution of high character and of sound scholarship. Al-
though its first work was of only grammar grade level, they wished
it to become a college for women which would be as well recognized
and as fully equipped as any in the United States, a remarkable
goal.

Combined always with the thought of sound scholarship was
the earnest desire that spiritual training would be a chief objective.

In the early days of the Institute, Chairman Gaines of the Board
of Trustees formulated the Agnes Scott Ideal. It was the Magna
Carta of the institution which guided all the developments of later
times. It is as follows:

"1. A liberal curriculum, fully abreast of the best institutions
of this country.

2. The Bible a textbook.

3. Thoroughly qualified and consecrated teachers.

4. A high standard of scholarship.

5. All the influences of the College conducive to the formation
and development of Christian character.

6. The glory of God the chief end of all."

The early leaders of the school were very closely associated one
with another and all strongly believed in the power of prayer. The
following prayer covenant was drawn up and signed in the early

days of the Institute, and sets forth the practical emphases through
which it was hoped that the great Ideal might be attained:

"We, the undersigned, believing the promise of God concerning
prayer (Matthew 18:19), and having at heart the largest success
of the Agnes Scott Institute in its great work for the glory of God,
do hereby enter into covenant with each other to offer daily prayer
in our 'closets' for the following specific objects :

1. For each other in our work in and for the Institute.

2. For the Board of Trustees and the Faculty.

3. That God would convert every unconverted pupil before
leaving the Institute.

4. That He would graciously build up in faith, and prepare
for highest usefulness, all who are His.

5. That He would baptize the institution with the Holy
Spirit, and make it a great fountain of blessing.

6. That He would give it so much of endowment and pros-
perity as He sees would be for His own glory.

7. That He would have the institution constantly in His own
holy care and keeping, that His name may be glorified."

This covenant was signed by some of the great ministers, laymen,
and women of the Atlanta area of that time. While all who signed
the original paper have passed away, others have added their names,
and the Covenant in substance continues to be the prayer of many
who still desire that Agnes Scott may become just so useful and
so great as may be pleasing to God. The College has no right to
exist except for Him.

From the earliest days, the customs and services were established
on a basis to express the institution's loyalty to God and His
ordinances. The study of the Bible, chapel worship, the observance
of the Sabbath, vesper services led by the faculty, encouragement
to attend Sunday School and church, a high level of individual
conduct, and similar emphases started early and have continued
through all the years.

Dr. Gaines As President

As has been previously noted, it was the Rev. F. H. Gaines,
Pastor of Decatur Presbyterian Church, who conceived the plans for
Agnes Scott Institute and led in its founding. For seven years he
served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, taught the Bible,
employed teachers, and served as the off-campus head of the school,
while Miss Hopkins was Principal for regular academic matters.

In the spring of 1896, the Trustees requested him to resign his
pastorate and accept the presidency of the Institute. It was with
reluctance that he gave up the active ministry, but he threw himself
wholeheartedly into his new responsibilities. The Board was re-
organized, and Col. Scott became its chairman. The first recom-
mendation of President Gaines was that the control of the Institute
by stockholders be discontinued. Col. Scott at once purchased all
the outstanding shares and cancelled the stock. The Institute was
then organized by a self-perpetuating board of trustees, all of whom
were to be Presbyterians. On October 3, 1903, Col. Scott passed
away. His vision of making Agnes Scott a great school and his
generosity in giving it a fine start, fully justified the action of the
Board of Trustees in naming him as "Founder" of the college and
in celebrating his birthday on February 22 each year as Founder's
Day. He not only gave the land and building and equipment for
the Institute, but he paid annual deficits in operation for thirteen
years. When he died the Institute had two hundred seventy-six
students, a staff of officers and teachers of twenty-four, and an
annual budget of $30,000, six times that of the first year.

Agnes Scott Becomes a College

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees on October 13, 1903, Mr.
Samuel M. Inman was elected Chairman. It was a fortunate choice.
He was easily the "First Citizen" of Atlanta, and his leadership
guaranteed success. He worked as happily and devotedly with Dr.
Gaines as did Col. Scott.

Their attention was first given to improving the physical plant.
More land was purchased, some buildings which later proved to be
temporary were erected, and in 1906 Rebekah Scott Dormitory was
completed and ever since has been one of the popular residence halls.

The second task was that of developing Agnes Scott into a full
college. It was no simple process to grow from a grammar school
into a first-class institution of higher learning. The plan followed
was to eliminate from time to time the lowest grade and to add
a higher one at the top. This was disheartening to many of the
pupils. Some of them were seniors in the school for four consecutive
years without being able to graduate. It is a small wonder that
of the 1663 students who attended Agnes Scott Institute, only 68
received diplomas.

In 1906 the institution was officially organized as Agnes Scott
College ; and the preparatory work, which was to be continued for
a few years, was designated as Agnes Scott Academy. The first

B. A. degrees were conferred in 1906. It is a remarkable tribute
to the type of work done by the Institute that the very first year
after it declared itself to be a college it was admitted into full
membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary
Schools.

At this time the Student Government Association was formed
and has been a powerful factor through the years in maintaining
the ideals of the College. At this time also, the Young Women's
Christian Association was established as a college-wide emphasis; and,
in its present form as the Christian Association of Agnes Scott Col-
lege, it greatly promotes the spiritual life of both students and
faculty.

A third emphasis at this time on the part of Mr. Inman, Dr.
Gaines, and their associates was the raising of endowment for the
College. Through the influence of Mr. Inman, Dr. Wallace But-
trick, President of the General Education Board of New York
(recently founded by Mr. John D. Rockefeller), became interested
in Agnes Scott and volunteered an offer of $100,000 from the
Board if other friends of the College would raise an additional $250,-
000. The campaign was conducted under the leadership of Mr.
J. K. Orr, a recent addition to the Board of Trustees, and it was
entirely successful. The campaign provided $175,000 for endowment
and also money for Inman Dormitory, Lowry Science Hall, and
Carnegie Library. The science hall has been replaced and torn
down. The library has also been replaced and the building is
now used for student activities Murphey Candler Building. In-
man is still a popular residence hall.

Years of Growth

The period from the great campaign of 1909 to the death of Dr.
Gaines in 1923 was marked by a steady advance in all phases of
college activity. In 1913 the Academy was discontinued and all pre-
paratory work ceased. In May 1914 the College celebrated its
twenty-fifth anniversary with exercises which were colorful and im-
pressive. It was recognized by all that Agnes Scott had passed the
experimental stage and was now on the road towards becoming a
great institution.

Just after the opening of the World War in 1914, Mr. Inman
became ill and insisted that his resignation as Chairman of the Board
be accepted. Mr. J. K. Orr was unanimously chosen to succeed him.
Mr. Inman died early in 1915. His last request was that the debt
which the College had gradually accumulated be paid, and he

personally contributed one half of the $50,000 needed. He had
erected Inman Hall as a personal gift to the campaign of 1909, and
he influenced others to become donors.

The first act of Mr. J. K. Orr as Chairman was to secure the
services of J. R. McCain in 1915 to assist Dr. Gaines with the
administrative work of the College. His special duties were to in-
crease the number of students and to raise money for endowment
and development.

In 1919 the General Education Board offered Agnes Scott $175,-
000 if it would secure $325,000 additional, the whole to be used for
endowment. Before this campaign was complete, the General Edu-
cation Board offered another $100,000 on condition that the College
increase its goal by $150,000 more. For the first time, Agnes Scott
appealed to people throughout Georgia and in many parts of the
South to aid in its development. Approximately 10,000 friends as-
sisted in raising the needed funds. More than 100 counties in
Georgia, many of them without a Presbyterian church, raised assigned
quotas in order to have a strong college for women in Georgia. In
addition to raising funds this wide appeal helped to make the College
known and to increase the number of applicants for admission.

In 1922 the College had become so fully recognized for its edu-
cational and spiritual leadership that the Synods of Alabama, Geor-
gia, and Florida of the Presbyterian Church in the United States
asked to have representatives on its Board of control. The Trustees
of Agnes Scott responded favorably, and the charter was amended
so as to provide for eleven of its trustees to come as representatives
of these Synods, thus tying the College closer to the Church than ever
before.

During this period, a considerable amount of real estate was
purchased by the College so as to bring its holdings as of that date
to approximately twenty-five acres, or five times the size of the
original tract donated by Col. Scott.

The Anna Young Alumnae House was erected in 1922. It was
the first building of its kind among the colleges for women in this
country, and has served a most useful purpose.

A New President

On April 14, 1923, Dr. F. H. Gaines passed away after a brief
illness. He was in the midst of his active duties, with faculty and
students around him and with the work of the College running
smoothly. The story of Agnes Scott and the life of Dr. Gaines are
Inseparable. For thirty-four years, he was the guiding spirit in

the making of plans and in carrying them to a successful conclusion.
The audit of July 1, 1923, shortly after his death, showed that the
College then possessed fixed assets, including buildings, grounds and
furnishings to the value of $559,142.83 and endowment to the extent
of $330,825.41. In addition the payments on subscriptions were in
progress so that the total assets would be really larger than the actual
audit figures. Dr. Gaines had frequently remarked that he would
be assured of the permanence of the College and would die content
if he could see it worth $1,000,000. He lived to see not only the
substantial fulfillment of this financial dream, but also far more
valuable, though intangible, assets in its spiritual growth and in-
fluence. He was a great man.

In 1915 President Gaines and Chairman Orr had brought James
Ross McCain to the College with a view to training him as a
successor to the President. He was at first Registrar and part-time
teacher and was later made Vice President and given charge of the
campaign work. In 1920 he was elected a member of the Board
of Trustees. After the death of Dr. Gaines, at the annual meeting
of the Board of Trustees on May 25, 1923, he was elected President.
His years under the guidance of Dr. Gaines were invaluable. The
latter left a very able and loyal staff with years of excellent service,
including Miss Nannette Hopkins, the Dean, Business Manager R.
B. Cunningham, Treasurer J. C. Tart, and Registrar S. G. Stukes.

One of the first privileges of the new administration was to
receive a legacy of Miss Jane Inman, sister of Mr. S. M. Inman,
which amounted eventually to about $200,000, the largest single
gift which had been received by the institution to that date. It was
used to establish an endowment fund in honor of Mr. Inman, as
requested by the donor.

In 1925 the Board of Trustees approved a development plan for
long range objectives, particularly emphasizing buildings that should
be erected. Of necessity through the years, lack of funds had resulted
in using a type of architecture that was utilitarian, but lacking
ornamental features which all felt that a college for women ought
to emphasize. The new plans stressed beauty as well as usefulness.
The first item undertaken in the new program was a gymnasium
which would also serve as an auditorium and health center. This
was named in honor of Mr. G. B. Scott, for many years chairman of
the building committee. It cost $160,000, and the largest gift
towards its erection was $1,000, for it was made possible by popular
subscriptions from many donors. At the same time, several tracts of
land were acquired bringing the campus holdings to approximately
forty acres.

Restating the Ideals

The original Ideal for Agnes Scott was published in the early
days of the Institute and has steadfastly been maintained, but in 1925
the statement was revised in more modern terms, and the summaries
given below are presented to all students of the College and their
loyalty to them is expected.

The Agnes Scott ideal was conceived by the founders of the
institution. The spiritual element was dominant in the minds of
those leaders. They earnestly desired to advance the kingdom of
God, believing that nothing else would be so effective as a strong
institution for women. They believed that if the College was to
accomplish its aim the individual must have an all-round personal
development, and they planned for a four-fold emphasis in the work
of the campus life. The basic principles of the founders have fur-
nished a continuity of aim and endeavor throughout the existence of
Agnes Scott.

These four very definite emphases are intimately related. The
first is high intellectual attainment. The standards of scholarship at
Agnes Scott are equal to the best for either men or women in this
country. The search for truth, avoidance of shams and short-cuts,
maintenance of the honor system, fearlessness of purpose, and effi-
ciency in the performance of every duty are expected to characterize
those who study here. The College aims at stimulating scholarship
and making it attractive to the student.

The second emphasis is simple religious faith, stressing an attitude
that is not childish, but child-like. The intellectual attitude at Agnes
Scott does not oppose religious impulses ; the atmosphere tends to
confirm and strengthen faith and to give the religious emphasis its
proper place. Religious services are marked by simplicity and ear-
nestness, their aim being to make religious life wholesome and sincere
without being ostentatious.

Physical well-being is the third part of the Agnes Scott ideal.
The College believes that a sound body is essential for happiness
and efficiency in any kind of educational program.

The fourth emphasis is the most indefinable. It includes the
development of personalities with such qualities as attractive ap-
pearance, charm, poise, dignity, frankness, simplicity, and the avoid-
ance of extremes.

The democratic student life on the campus is a good foundation
for a sane attitude toward other people. Every graduate should make
some definite contribution to the community in which she lives, and
maintain an educated concern for the social and economic world of

8

PRIVATE COLLEGES FOR WOMEN WITH PHI BETA KAPPA
EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

JULY 1, 1955

NAMES OP COLLEGES

1. Agnes Scott

2. Randolph-Macon

3. Swet Briar

4. Goucher

5. Wilson

6. Barnard

7. Vassar
Mt. Holyoke

9. Smith

10. Wheat on

11. Wellesley

12. Radcliffe

13. Elmira

14. Wells

15. Rockford

16. Milwaukee-Downer

Agnes Scott College is near the center of seven Southeastern states
in which it exerts a strong educational influence.

today. An educated, well-rounded person is best prepared to do this,
Agnes Scott sets this ideal for each of its students.

It was the confidence of the educational world in these ideals and
in Agnes Scott's loyalty to them that led to much of the national and
international recognition that came to the College. It was placed
on the approved list of the Association of American Universities
without any formal investigation. It was invited to be one of the
founding institutions for the American Association of University
Women.

The only distinction yet to be attained was to secure a chapter
of Phi Beta Kappa, the most selective national honor society. The
College had never filed application for this; but in 1925 the United
Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa adopted the policy of inviting worthy
institutions to join. On the nomination of neighboring institutions
in the South Atlantic District, Agnes Scott was voted the first
chapter on the invitation plan, and its friends were very grateful
for the friendship and confidence of its neighbors which made possible
this great honor and recognition.

In 1931 a chapter of Mortar Board was installed at the College.
It is the leading national honor society for service and leadership
among colleges admitting women. There is now no desirable recog-
nition of any kind which a college may have that Agnes Scott has
not already attained.

Relationship to the Presbyterian Church

As has been pointed out, Agnes Scott grew out of interest in
Christian education on the part of the pastor and members of the
Decatur Presbyterian Church, but it was organized as a stock com-
pany. When this form of ownership was discontinued, the question
of putting the institution under the Synod of Georgia was seriously
considered. All the trustees were either ministers or elders in the
Presbyterian Church in the United States and thoroughly loyal to
their synod and to the denomination, and they were determined that
Agnes Scott should be for the glory of God. However, before this
time in Georgia there had started nineteen schools under presbyteries
or the synod, all of which had died. For this reason the founders
did not use the synodical control, but specified that all trustees be
Presbyterians.

By 1922 the Synods of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida of the
Presbyterian Church became interested in Agnes Scott and separately
made overtures for a part in its support. At their request, the charter
of the College was revised so as to provide for a maximum number

10

of twenty-seven trustees, of whom four would be elected by the
Synod of Alabama, four by the Synod of Georgia, and three by the
Synod of Florida. The charter also provided that two trustees be
elected by the Agnes Scott Alumnae Association. All the trustees
were to be nominated by the Board, and fourteen elected directly
by it. The charter specified that all trustees must be members of
some evangelical church, and all but the Alumnae members must be
members of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. Later
this requirement was modified so that three-fourths of the trustees,
whether Alumnae members or not, must be Presbyterians, and the
others must be members of some evangelical church. The President
must be a Presbyterian. Of the twenty-six trustees now in office,
twenty-five are Presbyterians.

This form of control, in line with the judgment of the founders,
has worked admirably. Agnes Scott has served the Church as fully
as any other institution which is technically 'Tresbyterian." It draws
from the best Presbyterian homes, and its alumnae are leaders in
all phases of missionary and other spiritual services. It does not
compete with other causes in the synodical budget, because it depends
for its support on student charges, on income from endowment, and
on gifts from individuals.

The College has had as students the daughters of many of the
leaders of our denomination ; for example the following Secretaries
of Christian Education, Dr. Henry H. Sweets, Dr. Wade H. Boggs,
Dr. John L. Fairly and Dr. Marshall C. Dendy. Dr. Janie W.
McGaughey, until recently Secretary of Women's Work, is an Agnes
Scott alumna, as are many others in the leadership of the women
in the assembly, the synods, the presbyteries and the local churches.

Among the ministers of the denomination having daughters at
Agnes Scott during the years 1955 or 1956 are the following: P. H.
Biddle, Oswego, S. C; H. H. Bryan, Huntington, W. Va. ; S. W.
Dendy, Dalton, Ga. ; A. K. Dudley, Concord, N. C. ; J. C. Frist,
Mobile, Ala.; A. H. Glasure, St. Petersburg, Fla. ; H. C. Hamilton,
Orlando, Fla.; D. F, Helm, Hot Springs, Va. ; H. K. Holland,
Marietta, Ga. ; T. P. Johnston, Dunedin, Fla. ; J. A. Jones, Char-
lotte, N. C. ; J. I. Knight, Houston, Tex. ; C. E. S. Kraemer,
Richmond, Va. ; H. P. J. L'heureux, Baton Rouge, La.; N. R. Mc-
Geachy, Statesville, N. C; F. H. Olert, Richmond, Va.; W. H.
Pruitt, Spindale, N. C. ; J. A. Redhead, Jr., Greensboro, N. C. ; W.
T. Smith, Charlotte, N. C. ; J. N. Thomas, Richmond, Va. ; E. T.
Wilson, Atlanta, Ga. ; E. D. Witherspoon, Wilmington, N. C.

From the standpoint of educational recognition, plant, equip-
ment, and endowment, Agnes Scott ranks first statistically among

11

all the Presbyterian-related colleges for women in the entire world.
In the quality of its spiritual ministry, it strives to rank well, not
in any competitive sense, but in thankfulness for all blessings God
has given to it.

Financial Campaigns

The audit of July 1, 1928, showed that the College had assets
of $2,133,151.23. Endowment composed slightly more than half
of the sum, but buildings and grounds were valued at nearly $1,000,-
000. Several strong colleges for women both in the South and
elsewhere had comparable assets. The question was raised by Agnes
Scott friends as to whether it would continue to be a good college
on a level with many others or whether its mission might be to go
forward to distinction in its field, and thus become a real leader.

It is an interesting illustration of God's providence that a political
election in Wisconsin had a decisive influence on the future of Agnes
Scott. In 1928 the Republicans carried Wisconsin and elected as
governor a business man, who immediately needed a good executive
to handle his manufacturing enterprises. He turned to the General
Education Board in New York and took its Director for College
Affairs, Dr. H. J. Thorkelson, to manage his business. Dr. Thorkel-
son was so committed to large coeducational universities as desirable
in education that he did not encourage Agnes Scott even to file an
application for further aid. However, his successor. Dr. Trevor
Arnett, believed strongly in the type of work done by Agnes Scott
and promptly recommended aid for its development. This change
in administration for the General Education Board, due to the elec-
tion in Wisconsin, was one of the truly significant steps in the
growth of the College.

The General Education Board made a series of conditional offers
from 1929 through 1944 at various times for the following sums:
$300,000, $200,000, $100,000, $500,000, $50,000. All these came at
strategic points of need ; and in every case the terms were fully
and promptly met by the College. Another foundation later offered
$500,000 in 1948, Such gifts stimulate the generosity of other
donors.

These offers meant at least five major campaigns, and these re-
sulted by July 1, 1951, in bringing the total assets of the College
to the sum of $7,022,537.60, a gain of some $5,000,000 over the
1928 figures. In some respects the campaigns of Agnes Scott have
been unique, and so a few general details are given rather than to
provide a history of each separate effort. In all of these Mr. George

12

Winship has had a very important influence. Chairman J. K, Orr
brought him on the Board of Trustees primarily to help in the
campaign of 1929. On the death of Mr. Orr in 1938, Mr. Winship
was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and
he has continued as a distinguished leader through these important
years.

Agnes Scott has had eight major campaigns, three before 1929,
and five since then. In each of these subscriptions were sought on
the understanding that the whole amount sought must be pledged
and also paid in full ; and it is truly remarkable that every ofie has
been one hundred per cent successful! This tradition has given the
public confidence that any effort undertaken by the College will
succeed, and it has helped especially in winning large donors. All
the pledges taken have been subject to cancellation at the will of the
subscribers, but very little has been lost on that account.

All the campaigns have started on the campus with officers,
faculty, students, and even servants fully participating. It has been
traditional that the president make the first gift. A committee of
faculty and students have usually set the campus goal, and this has
never failed of attainment. The effort in 1929 is a good illustration.
The committee suggested $40,000 for faculty, students and servants,
and more than $120,000 was pledged. It has been customary to
give a holiday if the campus wins its goal, and this has always been
a very exciting conclusion. Friends have commented that the stu-
dents would probably give thousands of dollars at any time for a
holiday!

In all the campaigns, each individual on the campus has given
a pledge, which might be as small as even ten cents, but there has
been one hundred per cent cooperation. Many students have said
that no generation of students ought to be allowed to graduate with-
out having a campus campaign, which provides enthusiasm, self-
sacrifice, friendship, and loyalty.

The initial successes by faculty and students have had excellent
results in securing support by others. The trustees and alumnae have
usually followed the campus lead. It has been only after the "college
family" have shown their faith that campaigns have been taken to
the public.

These many financial efforts have had interesting results aside
from raising money for immediate needs. These include increase in
student applications, greater willingness to give one's self to every
day duties, favorable publicity, and the writing of wills in favor of
the College. Within the past three years, five wills of major im-
portance have left money to Agnes Scott. So far as can be ascer-

13

AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE

Total Assets

$12,400,000

$7,100,000

$3,865,000

$2,764,000

$113,000

$150,000

$499,000

$822,000

1891 1901

1911

1921

1931 1941 1951 1955

TOTAL ASSETS

Eight Independent Colleges for Women

The best showing possible is made for Agnes Scott, and it is still
behind these other great colleges, though it has made fine progress
in recent years.

$41,176,244

$34,800,000

$33,500,000

$18,978,745

$16,578,900

$15,319,636

$13,331,760

$12,400,000

Agnes
Scott

Barnard

Radcliffe

Bryn
Mawr

Mount
Holyoke

Smith

Vassar

Wellesley

tained each of these donors made her first gift to Agnes Scott in
the campaign of 1922 more than thirty years before the wills were
probated.

The campaigns have resulted in most of the important build-
ings on the campus, many of which are as beautiful and adequate as
may be found at any other college in the world. These include
Buttrick Hall, classroom and administration; the Library; Presser
Hall, chapel and music activities; the Bradley Observatory; the
Walters Infirmary; Evans Dining Hall; and Campbell Science Hall.
All of these were erected with the view to accommodating as many
as one thousand students, if there should ever be that many, but with
the hope on the part of the builders that future administrations
would choose still to limit the enrollment to that of a small college,
possibly from five hundred to six hundred.

These campaigns also added some fifteen acres of land to the
College holdings, bringing the total to approximately fifty-five acres.

Approximately twenty thousand donors have built the College.
Many were not financially able to send their own daughters to
Agnes Scott, but felt that the College has an important work to do
for the Kingdom of God and gave to it for Him. Very few colleges
have had such general support in their campaigns. Agnes Scott has
been made possible by the sacrificial giving on the part of people of
very moderate means.

University Center

From the earliest days in 1889, the founders of Agnes Scott
planned to have eventually a small college for women with a care-
fully selected student body and faculty and a limited curriculum,
thoroughly taught and administered. Its trustees have never had
ambition for it to become a university or to give professional or
graduate work.

At the same time, Agnes Scott officials have realized that the
South needs first class education in these advanced subjects, and as
early as 1929 suggested that the institutions in the Atlanta area
cooperate with one another so as to avoid duplication and over-
lapping and to provide training in subjects not then offered. A
survey was made under the auspices of Emory University and Agnes
Scott with funds provided by the Beck Foundation. High educa-
tional authorities from many parts of the country united in the
study and unanimously agreed that a real University Center might
be helpful.

After several years of negotiations, Agnes Scott College, Co-

16

lumbia Theological Seminary, Emory University, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta Art Association, and University of Georgia
signed agreements for a concerted program of advance in the educa-
tional opportunities of the state. The movement was entitled "The
University Center in Georgia."

A joint union catalogue of twenty-six libraries in the Atlanta
area was established, making accessible more than a million volumes
to the students of any of the cooperating institutions. A program
of visiting scholars and of financial grants to faculty members for
study was set up. Valuable exchange of teachers and students has
been arranged, and many new fields of study have been initiated.
For example, the erection of the Observatory and giving emphasis
to Astronomy by Agnes Scott grew out of the University Center's
request that this be done.

Agnes Scott students may take any subjects at Emory University
without charge, for example, and so may Emory students at Agnes
Scott. This plan helps to enrich the whole curriculum without the
necessity of duplicating expensive courses. Joint programs in Music
and in Dramatics are given by Agnes Scott girls in cooperation with
boys from Emory, Columbia Seminary, or Georgia Tech. Many
joint recreational events are likewise planned on an inter-institutional
basis.

There has been no thought of trying to combine or merge insti-
tutions. Each keeps its own identity and distinctive educational em-
phasis, but in many areas of common interest the University Center
gives advantages only possible where a large number of institutions
are located within convenient distances from one another.

Agnes Scott Service

While Agnes Scott has deliberately chosen to continue as a small
college, its officers and faculty have had the privilege of rendering
extensive service in educational and religious activities. For many
years it held the chairmanship in the Southern Association of Colleges
and Secondary Schools of such important committees as those on
Standards, on Reports, and on New Members. It was one of the
organizers of the Southern University Conference for seeking better
standards in the South and has held the positions of Secretary-Treas-
urer and of President. It has been represented in the Senate of the
United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa. It has twice held the office of
Vice President and once the office of President of the Association of
American Colleges. It was represented for some years among the
trustees of the General Education Board (Rockefeller) of New York.

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An officer has served as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States,

The 9,000 students who have been enrolled at Agnes Scott have
come from all the states of the Union, the District of Columbia, and
from twenty-seven foreign countries. A great majority have come
from the southeastern states, being well distributed among these.
The faculty and staff of one hundred represent more than fifty first-
class universities or colleges in their degrees.

Approximately twenty per cent of those taking degrees go on
for graduate work in the best universities of this country and abroad.
They have been unusually successful in securing large fellowships
from the Fulbright, Woodrow Wilson, or other such funds.

Agnes Scott alumnae have been successful in more than sixty of
the leading occupations, and they are found all over the United States
and in many foreign lands. It is impossible to give accurate statistics
for various professions, for these are constantly changing; but, based
on extensive samplings, some fair estimates may be given of the
leading services rendered. More than 6,500 have married and estab-
lished homes of their own. About fifteen per cent of the present
students are daughters of alumnae. Approximately two-thirds of the
graduates marry within ten years after commencement. A remark-
ably small per cent of divorce or broken homes may be found among
these.

Some 3,200 have gone into educational work. Agnes Scott grad-
uates are in great demand. More than 1,100 have engaged in social
service work, including the Red Cross, Y. W. C. A., and various
governmental agencies.

Approximately 1,000 have gone into business or into specialized
professions, and this number is increasing.

About 500 have gone into religious work, including foreign mis-
sionary service, home mission fields, religious education workers, and
church secretaries. Most of the alumnae are active in their local
churches and take an active part in the spiritual development of their
communities.

The classifications given above are not mutually exclusive. Many
graduates teach or do church work before getting married, and many
also continue to serve in various ways after marriage. As the present
trustees observe the results, they are sure that the founding fathers
must be happy in the products of their dreams and sacrifices.

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PREsroENT Alston

Agnes Scott has had almost a continuous administration. Up to
1951, a period of sixty-two years, it had only two presidents, and
there was an overlapping of eight years of service. It had only two
deans, and their terms overlapped twelve years. There were only
two registrars, and here again there was a period of joint service.

As the time approached for President McCain to retire, the prob-
lem of finding a successor was studied carefully by committees of
the trustees, of the faculty, and of the alumnae. It was agreed that it
would be most helpful if the nominee might come as a member of
the faculty for a period. After a study for at least two years, and
after considering at least a hundred suggestions, there was unani-
mous agreement that Dr. Wallace M. Alston, then Pastor of Druid
Hills Presbyterian Chuch in Atlanta, be sought for the position. To
the great satisfaction of all, he felt the invitation to be a call from
God and agreed to accept. In the spring of 1948, he was elected
President of Agnes Scott College, to take effect not later than July 1,
1951. In the mean time he was to serve as Vice President and as
Professor of Philosophy.

Dr. Alston brought to his new work a rich background of ex-
perience. He was born adjacent to the campus, and he grew up in
the college community. His mother and wife are Agnes Scott
alumnae. He had been a teacher, had served as Director of Young
People's Work for the Presbyterian Church in the United States,
and had been a most successful pastor. For three years, at Agnes
Scott, he had further opportunities to prepare for the presidency.

During this time, he became acquainted with the faculty and
students, visited alumnae groups in all parts of the country, studied
education in perhaps one hundred of the strong institutions through
personal visits, and spent some time in Europe. At the same time,
he carried a teaching load and was at home as a member of the
faculty. He became the third President of Agnes Scott on July 1,
1951.

His inauguration in the autumn of 1951 was one of the most color-
ful events in the history of the College and brought to the campus
a group of distinguished educators and other friends.

Dr. Alston at once gave special attention to the internal admin-
istration of the College, including the enlistment of students and
the problems of selection. It became a requirement that prospective
students take the Scholastic Aptitude Test of the College Entrance
Examination Board, and this gave another safeguard for the quality
which the College has always sought in its students. He also stressed

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the increasing of faculty salaries and has made gratifying progress
towards this objective.

One of the most encouraging developments in this work was a
grant from the Ford Foundation of $285,300 in December of 1955.

In order to provide quarters for additional boarders, Hopkins
Hall was completed in 1953, and Walters Hall is in process of erec-
tion at this time. When it is completed, boarders may be moved from
cottages, which have been necessary for residence purposes, and the
College will be able to meet its objective of five hundred boarders,
with from fifty to one hundred day students.

During 1953 and 1954, the College received five bequests that
have been a great blessing in its work. Mrs. J. B. Waterman, an
alumna and a trustee, provided for a balance of $100,000 which
she had agreed to give for endowment. Mrs. Lettie Pate Evans, a
trustee, left $100,000 to endow the operation of the dining hall that
bears her name. Miss Elizabeth F. Jackson, Associate Professor of
History, left $80,000 principally to help worthy girls. Dr. Mary
F. Sweet, for many years the beloved college physician, provided
$175,000 for endowment. The largest by far of all gifts made to
Agnes Scott was provided in the will of Mrs. Frances Winship
Walters, an alumna and a trustee, who had already helped in many
ways, leaving the sum of $4,500,000 to the College for its general
endowment. Her will provided that half of this sum be turned over
to the College at once, and the other half must be matched dollar
for dollar in order to come into the College portfolio. This gives a
great challenge for the next years.

On the suggestion of Dr. Alston, Chairman Winship appointed
in 1952 a steering committee to outline needs of the College for a
period of years and to help in promoting the achievement of the goals.
This committee recommended the securing of at least $10,025,000
by 1964, the 75th anniversary of the founding of the institution. The
sum was not suggested at a venture, but as a result of careful studies
as to real needs both in endowment and in permanent improvements.

The goal is very large and its achievement may be difficult; but
the friends of Agnes Scott are facing the opportunities ahead with
thankful hearts and with confidence in the blessing and guidance of
God, to Whom the school was dedicated in even its opening days.
It is believed that the best is yet ahead, and that the College is still
in His hands.

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Further information about the College or any details regarding
admission requirements, financial aid, or educational programs, may
be obtained by writing to

The Registrar, Box C,
Agnes Scott College,
Decatur, Georgia.