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Story or /Ignes Scott 



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1889=1939 



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J. R. McCAI 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 

in 2011 with funding from 

LYRASIS IVIembers and Sloan Foundation 



http://www.archive.org/details/storyofagnesscotOOjame 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 
INTRODUCTION 

Chapter I 
Decatur Female Seminary 5 

Chapter II 
Launching Agnes Scott Institute 9 

Chapter III 
Aims and Ideals 15 

Chapter IV 
Dr. Gaines as President 19 

Chapter V 
Agnes Scott Becomes a College 23 

Chapter VI 
Campaign of 1909 27 

Chapter VII 
Ten Years of Growth 31 

Chapter VIII 
Death of Dr. Gaines 35 

Chapter IX 
A New President 41 

Chapter X 
Campaign of 1929 45 

Chapter XI 
Personnel Changes 47 

Chapter XII 
Agnes Scott's Progress 55 

Chapter XT 1 1 
Semi-Centennial Plans 63 

Chapter XIV 
University Center Development 70 



 1  




Dr. Frank H. Gaines 



Originator of the plan for a school. First Chairman of the Board of Trustees 
1889-1896. First President 1896-1923. For thirty-four years, he chose the teach- 
ers, secured the students, and planned the details of the development of the College. 



7/ 



INTRODUCTION 



IN 1921 Dr. F. H. Gaines published "The Story of Agnes Scott 
College, 1889-1921", and it had a wide distribution. The edition 
has now been exhausted, and there are repeated requests from 
alumnae and other friends for some account of the early life of the 
College. 

The brochure herewith presented makes free use of the materials 
collected by Dr. Gaines, including much of the phraseology of the 
former "Story", and it undertakes merely to bring up to date the 
developments of the College in recent years. No attempt is made to 
write a formal history of the institution or to give complete data re- 
garding the topics which are mentioned. It is rather a very simple 
sketch of events which will be of interest primarily to the graduates 
and other former students of Agnes Scott at various stages of its 
growth. 

Fortunately the College has available the Minutes of the Board 
of Trustees, the Minutes of the Faculty, the various catalogues and 
bulletins, and other materials from which eventually may be written 
a complete history of the institution; but that will be a privilege for 
some other time and perhaps for some other person. 

It is impossible in a brief sketch to give proper recognition and 
credit to all who have been influential in making the Agnes Scott 
which we now know. There is no lack of appreciation for what all 
have done. 

The College issues several bulletins that may be of special inter- 
est to prospective patrons or students, including the catalogue, view 
books, information as to student activities, social regulations, and the 
like. These may be obtained on request to the Registrar's office. 

J. R. McCain. 



 3  




White House 



Agnes Scott College, under the name of "Decatur Female Seminary", 
started in this building in 1889. It was then known as the "Allen House", 
and it stood on the present site of Main Building. Later it was moved to 
the location it now occupies and was doubled in size, being then designated 
as the "White House". It was rented for some years by Agnes Scott Insti- 
tute and purchased by the College in 1906. It is now used for one of the 
dining rooms and for a dormitory. 



DECATUR FEMALE SEMINARY 



THE city of Decatur, Georgia, was incorporated as a "town" in 
1832. This was quite a number of years before Atlanta was 
founded, and Decatur was the most important trading center 
for a wide area. While its citizens were alert and enterprising, and 
while from the beginning there was good leadership, it was quite dif- 
ficult to maintain schools that were satisfactory. A few private ones 
were attempted, but were not successful. A public school of elemen- 
tary grades was operated, but the leading Decatur citizens found it 
necessary to send their children away to private academies in order 
to have them adequately trained. 

Such was the educational situation in 1888 when the Decatur Pres- 
byterian Church called as its pastor Reverend Frank Henry Gaines 
from the Falling Spring Church, Rockbridge County, Virginia. Dur- 
ing his pastorate in Virginia, he had been impressed with the great 
possibilities for good in Christian education. Almost immediately on 
his arrival in Decatur, he felt that the community would afiford a 
favorable opportunity for starting a school under the auspices of the 
Decatur Presbyterian Church. The local need was great. The con- 
gregation was composed of about 235 members, among whom were 
several men of unusual vision and ability and generosity. 

During the early summer of 1889, Mr. Gaines discussed with 
some leading members of the church the question of organizing a 
Christian school. When the matter was first mentioned. Colonel 
George W. Scott, a devoted Elder of the church, was absent. On 
his return the proposal was explained to him and he joined enthusi- 
astically with the pastor in promoting the plan. 

The organizing meeting for the enterprise was held at the home 
of the minister on July 17, 1889. Committees were appointed for 
investigating various problems that should be met, including finan- 
ces, the securing of students, the organizing of a faculty, and other 
minor details. 

Under the influence of Mr. Gaines, it was decided that the new 
school would be primarily for girls and young ladies because he felt 



it to be of supreme importance that the wives and mothers of a com- 
munity should be educated, even if it should mean that the men 
would not be. He believed that if you educate a man, you may pro- 
duce a good citizen; but, if you educate a woman, you may train a 
whole family. 

While it was unanimously agreed that the school should be for fe- 
males, it was also arranged that during the first year a few boys under 
twelve years of age might be admitted; and, as a matter of fact, there 
were six who did enroll and attend. 

By July 27, arrangements had been made to proceed with the 
chartering of the school under the name Decatur Female Seminary. 
It seemed unlikely that a suitable person to act as Principal of the 
school could be secured in Georgia, and Mr. Gaines was authorized 
to go to Virginia for the purpose of finding the right leadership. By 
August 24, it was reported that Miss Nannette Hopkins of Warm 
Springs, Virginia, had been secured at a salary of $600 to serve 
as Principal. It had been the original plan of Mr. Gaines to secure 
a minister to head the new enterprise, but the one whom he first 
sought was unable to accept the place and remarked, "If I were seek- 
ing the best person to head a new school for girls, I would secure Miss 
Nannette Hopkins." It was the first time that Dr. Gaines had heard 
of her, but he immediately sought her out. She had graduated from 
Hollins Institute and was planning to go to Vassar to complete her 
B. A. degree. It was with some hesitation that she accepted the call 
to Georgia and it was with the thought that she would teach a year 
or two and then go on for further study. She became so identified 
with the new school that she was never able to leave even for a single 
year. 

In order to finance the new school, it was decided to issue stock 
of the par value of $50. In a very short time, 107 shares of stock 
were sold to thirty-six individuals for a total sum of $5,350. Colonel 
George W. Scott was the largest subscriber, taking forty shares, 
which represented an investment of $2,000. 

The charter provided that the Seminary should be controlled by 
a Board of five Trustees, to be elected as follows: "The pastor of 
the Decatur Presbyterian Church shall be, ex-ofiicio, during his pas- 
torate a Trustee. Two of the remaining four Trustees shall be elected 
by the Session of the Decatur Presbyterian Church and shall be mem- 
bers of said Church in good and regular standing. The remaining 
two Trustees shall be elected by the stock-holders. The pastor of 
the Decatur Presbyterian Church shall be Chairman of the Board 
of Trustees." The first Board was composed of Reverend F. H. 

 6  



Gaines, C. M. Candler, B. S. Crane, George W. Scott, and Dr. E. H. 
Barnett, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. 

The school opened on September 24, 1889. In addition to Miss 
Hopkins, the Principal, there were three other teachers: Miss Mat- 
tie Cook, who was a general assistant; Miss Fannie Pratt, in charge 
of Piano; and Miss Valeria Fraser, in charge of Art and Physical 
Education. 

There were sixty-three students, all of grammar grade rank, and 
three of these were boarders. 

The school won the interest and confidence of the public, and from 
the beginning it exercised a real influence in the community. The 
results were due in part to the unselfish interest and fine character 
of the founders of the school and of those who were Trustees and 
subscribers to the general fund. Much credit is also due to the teach- 
ers of the school. Miss Hopkins showed unusual executive ability, 
poise, tact, good judgment, and consecration. She had the full sup- 
port of her associates, both within the school and in the community. 



 7  




Col. George W. Scott 



He gave the money for the first building because the Lord had blessed him, 
and he did not wish this fact to harden his heart. Chairman of the Board of Trus- 
tees 1896-1903. He personally bore the financial burdens for the first fourteen 
years. 



Chapter II 

LAUNCHING AGNES SCOTT INSTITUTE 



IN the spring of 1890, Colonel 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 of money for that day, and the friends of the 
school and the whole community were elated. The Atlanta papers 
announced Colonel Scott's gift in large, front-page headlines, and the 
institution at once passed from a Decatur enterprise to one of South- 
ern influence. 

The Board of Trustees gratefully accepted Colonel Scott's gen- 
erous offer and at once took the necessary legal steps to have the 
charter amended, changing the name from the Decatur Female Sem- 
inary to Agnes Scott Institute, in honor of the mother of the generous 
donor. 

The second session of the school opened in September, 1890, with 
the same teachers and with greatly increased interest. An additional 
building was rented and provision was made for the accommodation of 
boarders. The total enrollment for the session was 138, of which 
number twenty-two were boarders. Another successful session gave 
assurance of the permanence of the work. 

During this year Colonel Scott was busy making and executing 
his plans for the new building. He went forth on a tour of inspection 
of school buildings and was convinced that he could not provide the 
kind of home which he desired for the sum which he originally pro- 
posed to give. He had his architect prepare plans for the present 
Main Building and personally supervised the construction, using only 
selected material. When it was finished, he had paid out $82,500. 
At that time, it was regarded as a model of architecture and of mod- 
ern improvements. It was lighted with electricity from its own plant, 
heated by steam, had hot and cold water, and sanitary plumbing. At 
that time, few of these comforts were to be found in any educational 
buildings in Georgia. 




Mrs. Agnes Scott 



The College is named in her honor. Her son, Col. George W. Scott, the found- 
er, wished to have the institution represent the quaHties of womanhood and mother- 
hood which he saw in her. 



Colonel Scott provided all necessary furnishings and equipment 
for the new building, and made it entirely ready for occupancy in 
the fall of 1891. The total cost of land, building, furnishings, and 
equipment was $112,250. At that time, this was the largest individ- 
ual gift to the cause of education ever made in this state, and it at- 
tracted wide attention. 

In selecting a site for the home for the new school, Colonel Scott 
purchased five acres of land on the south side of the Georgia Railway 
in Decatur. The ridge selected is one of the divides between the At- 
lantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico; and the water on the front of 
the new building drained away toward the Atlantic and on the rear, 
toward the Gulf. The land was heavily covered with original forest 
trees and was conveniently located for the town of Decatur and for 
access by the Georgia Railroad. 

Several years before, Colonel Scott had ridden on horseback 
through this tract of land and had expressed the conviction that it 
would be an ideal site for a school, if one could ever be established in 
Decatur. 

The dedication of the new school building was a great event in 
the life of the institution. The Synod of Georgia of the Presbyterian 
Church in the United States were present in a body. A number of 
the representatives of the Scott family from Pennsylvania attended. 
Representatives of the various denominations and of the leading 
schools of Georgia were present. A program centering around the 
subject of Christian education was arranged and was of outstanding 
quality and importance. 

Among those present was Honorable John Scott, a son of Mrs. 
Agnes Scott, for whom the Institute was named. He read a sketch 
of his mother, from which the following brief summary may be taken : 
"Agnes Irvine was born in Ballykeel, County Down, Ireland, June 
13, 1799. Her father was William Irvine; her mother's maiden name 
was Mary Stitt. At the age of seventeen, Agnes Irvine left Ireland 
with her mother, to make her home in America. They settled in 
Alexandria, Pennsylvania. There, on October 29, 1821, she was 
married to Mr. John Scott. He was a native of Adams County, 
Pennsylvania, where his ancestors, after immigrating from Ireland, 
had settled as early as 1740. Mr. Scott was a prosperous business 
man and his prominence and standing are indicated by the fact that 
he represented his county in the State Legislature and later his dis- 
trict in Congress." 

In this biographical sketch of his mother, Mr. Scott pays this 
beautiful tribute to her: 

 11  



"It is not for the spirit of mortals to be proud; but if men, yea 
men whose hairs are whitened with the flight of years, may justly, 
at any time, feel any pride, I am sure it is when they mingle with 
that pride the gratitude, reverence and affection which are due to an 
intelligent, conscientious, good Christian mother. That pride and 
gratitude, reverence and affection, speaking for my brother, we ex- 
press of and to that mother whose name this Institute is to bear. 

"She is worthy of our pride, gratitude, reverence and affection, 
and of your commemoration. 

"She met the duties of her sphere with the sublimest faith and 
trust in the goodness of God, and in His overruling Providence. 
'There is a God who rules and reigns in the armies of Heaven, and 
who doeth His will among the inhabitants of the earth,' was one of 
her daily utterances to her children. She was a Presbyterian, and 
loved her church. She believed in the sovereignty of that God as 
devoutly as in His goodness and mercy; and did not waste her time 
in metaphysical disquisitions attempting to reconcile them, but dili- 
gently went about her duties and saw to it that no child of hers should 
go out into the world ignorant of the Shorter Catechism. Her early 
education had awakened in her the love of the true and the beautiful ; 
hence, the first of all books to her was the Bible; and after this, and 
her devotional books, she appreciated Shakespeare and Burns. I 
have two treasures from her hand, both presented on the 14th of 
April, 1840  a copy of Shakespeare and a Bible. In the latter, writ- 
ten with her own hand, is an admonition which was the reflection of 
her own life: 

Proverbs, c. 3; v. 5, 6. 

'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine 
own understanding. 

'In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.' " 

Agnes Scott College now has among its treasures a spinning wheel 
used by Mrs. Scott, the treadle of which is well worn and indicates 
the industry for which she was noted. 

The College also has an Arithmetic used by her in Ireland before 
she came to America, and it also is well worn and evidently was much 
used by the young student. On the fly-leaf of this Arithmetic, in the 
owner's handwriting, is the following inscription: 

"Do not steal this book for fear of shame, 
For under lies the owner's name. 
The first is 'A', a letter bright; 

 12  



The next is T in all men's sight; 
And if her name you chance to miss, 
Look underneath, and there it is. 

Agnes Irvine, Novbr. 16th, 1815." 

In the parlor of Main Building, there is a portrait of Mrs. Scott, 
painted when she was quite old. The costume and head cap make 
her seem quite old-fashioned and of a period long ago, but her face 
shows strength and steadfastness. For a number of years, it was 
customary to bring the College freshmen before this portrait and to 
have them kneel and swear allegiance to the spirit of Mrs. Agnes 
Scott. This custom no longer prevails, but it is worth while for all 
those who attend the institution to know something of the person 
whose name the College bears and to appreciate the things for which 
she stood. 

The new building and equipment of 1891 and the wide publicity 
which resulted attracted many students from various parts of the 
country. The dormitory was crowded. Additional teachers were em- 
ployed. The sudden growth was not wholesome in many ways, be- 
cause the students were not carefully selected or well prepared, and 
it took several years of organization and gradual development to put 
the school on a basis of high standards and thorough work. 

Among the new teachers employed was Miss Louise McKinney, 
of Farmville, Virginia, who came in 1891 and had a great deal of in- 
fluence in moulding the ideals of the school, and who has continued 
longer in its service than any other person except Miss Hopkins. 



 13 




Main Building 



Erected under the personal supervision of Col. George W. Scott in 1890- 
1891. For several years, was the only building of Agnes Scott Institute. 
Now used for social purposes and for a dormitory. 



Chapter III 

AIMS AND IDEALS 



THE founders of the new school were from the very beginning de- 
termined that it should be an institution of high character and 
of sound scholarship. Although its first work was not higher in 
grade than the grammar school level, they wished it to be the very 
best school of that type which could be operated. It was their con- 
stant aim to make it a college for women which would be as well 
recognized and as well equipped as any one in the United States. 

Combined always with the thought of sound scholarship was the 
earnest desire that spiritual training should be a chief objective, and 
this emphasis found expression in all the utterances, public and pri- 
vate, of those who were in charge, and in practically all the printed 
literature. 

In the very 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 that guided not merely its early days, 
but all later developments. 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 in the development of the school were very 
closely associated in all of their efforts, and strongly believed in unity 
of purpose and in cooperation in all that they undertook. The fol- 
lowing 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 our Lord con- 
cerning prayer {Matt. 18:19). and having at heart the largest suc- 

 15  



cess 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 Faculty. 

3. That God would convert every unconverted pupil before leav- 
ing the Institute. 

4. That He would graciously build up in the 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 prosperity 
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. 

F. H. Gaines 
Nannette Hopkins 
Patty B. Watkins 
George W. Scott 
E. H. Barnett 
- " J. G. Patton 

Theron H. Rice 
Milton A. Candler." 

With one exception, all who signed the original prayer covenant 
have passed away, but other names have been added to the list, and 
this prayer continues to be the petition of quite a number who desire 
that Agnes Scott may become just so great and so useful as may be 
pleasing to God. 

From the very earliest days the customs and services were estab- 
lished on such a basis as to express the institution's loyalty to God 
and to His ordinances. 

In order that the students might not be tempted to study on Sun- 
day, Monday was used for a holiday instead of the customary Satur- 
day. When in later years the College went to a six-day schedule, it 
undertook to keep the spirit of this earlier regulation by starting 
classes somewhat later on Monday than usual, by omitting tests or 
examinations for that day, and by arranging the calendar so that no 
student need travel on Sunday for the opening or closing of the College. 

The present custom of Vesper services led by the faculty, some- 
what in the nature of family prayers, goes back to these early days, 

 16  



as also the plan of having special prayer services for the faculty each 
Saturday evening. 

In accordance with the general statement of the Agnes Scott 
Ideal, regular Bible study was inaugurated in 1891 and has continued 
ever since as a part of the requirement for graduation from the insti- 
tution. 

During the fifty years of its existence, the College has made many 
changes in physical equipment, personnel, financial status, and aca- 
demic achievements, but it has never faltered in the maintenance of 
the foundation principles on which it was launched in its early days. 

All who signed the original Prayer Covenant and helped to set 
the moral and religious standards were either ministers or teachers 
except Col. Geo. W. Scott and Capt. Milton A. Candler; but none 
were more consecrated and devoted to the Kingdom than those two 
laymen, and their prominence and leadership in other affairs made 
their position in spiritual matters all the more significant. 



 17  




Mr. Samuel M. Inman 



Chairman of the Board of Trustees 1903-1915. He helped to guide the insti- 
tution through the difficult period of transition from the Institute to the College. 
He extended the prestige of Agnes Scott outside of Georgia. 



Chapter IV 

DR. GAINES AS PRESIDENT 




S has been previously noted, it was Reverend F. H. Gaines, 
the pastor of the Decatur Presbyterian Church, who con- 
ceived the plan for Agnes Scott Institute and was the leader 
in bringing about its organization. He served as Chairman of the 
Board of Trustees, taught the Bible, employed the teachers, and 
served as the off-campus head of the school, while Miss Hopkins 
was the Principal for regular academic matters. 

In the spring of 1896, the Board of Trustees requested him to 
resign his pastorate and to accept the presidency of Agnes Scott In- 
stitute. He hesitated very much to give up the work in which he was 
so successful and to which he was thoroughly devoted, and requested 
time for consideration. He finally decided to accept the presidency, 
entering upon his duties in May, 1896. When he became President, 
the Board was reorganized at a meeting held May 17, 1896, and 
Colonel George W. Scott was Chairman, while Dr. Gaines was cho- 
sen Secretary. 

The Decatur Presbyterian Church was most reluctant to allow 
Dr. Gaines to leave his ministry, and the Session adopted resolutions 
bearing testimony to his consecrated zeal, his able pulpit ministra- 
tion, his constant, faithful, and loving pastoral visitation to and in- 
terest in the members of this church, his affectionate labors for their 
spiritual edification and growth, and his always prudent and circum- 
spect conversation and walk as man and minister. 

"Under the blessings of God, through the faithful and consecrated 
discharge of his high and responsible duties as pastor, our church has 
greatly grown in numbers and has largely increased its contributions 
to its several church causes, has taken a commendable interest in the 
great and growing cause of Christian education, and its membership 
is working and living in Christian harmony, peace, and energy. 

"And in this connection we also give cordial expression of our 
affectionate appreciation of the many virtues and lovable Christian 
character of his devoted wife, who has indeed been his faithful help- 
meet." 

 19  



Dr. Gaines brought to his new position many qualities which were 
of tremendous value in the growth of Agnes Scott Institute. He was 
a man of great faith, and this exhibited itself in practical ways, so 
that he counted God as a partner in all that he undertook. He was a 
man of prayer, and every forward step taken by the institution was 
bolstered by the intercession of Dr. Gaines and of those whom he had 
enlisted in his prayer circles. 

He showed the rare genius of being able to select capable teachers 
and officers who would assist in working out the ideals which he 
maintained. He might often grow discouraged, but he did not know 
what is meant to give up or to retreat. 

His sincerity, his high standards, and his willingness to give 
himself unselfishly to the cause aided him to enlist benefactors and 
general support for the new cause. 

He was forty-five years of age when he came to his new post, and 
he devoted nearly twenty-seven years of constructive labor for Agnes 
Scott. 

Almost immediately after becoming President, Dr. Gaines urged 
upon Colonel Scott the danger of the stock feature in the control 
of the Institute. After a careful consideration of the question, it 
was decided to abolish the stock feature altogether, and likewise to 
discontinue the plan of having the Session of the church elect Trus- 
tees. Colonel Scott at once purchased all of the outstanding stock 
and cancelled it. The Board of Trustees then secured an amendment 
to the charter, changing the form of control to that of a self-perpet- 
uating Board, with the provision that only members of the Presby- 
terian Church in the United States should be eligible for election to 
the Board. It was the intention of the founders that the institution 
should ever continue under Presbyterian influences, but not under 
ecclesiastical control. None of the founders considered control by a 
church court as wise or best. While legally and technically Agnes 
Scott became a non-sectarian school, it was listed as an affiliated 
Presbyterian institution and was actually very closely associated 
with the Presbyterian Church. 

On October 3, 1903, Colonel Scott passed away. His connection 
with Agnes Scott was so close and vital as to form an essential part 
of its history. His vision of what the school might be and his gen- 
erosity in carrying out its purposes have fully justified the action 
of the Board of Trustees in naming him as the "founder" of the Col- 
lege and in celebrating his birthday on February 22 each year as 
Founder's Day. 

 20  



Colonel Scott was a man of rare ability and of the highest Chris- 
tian character. He had the unlimited confidence of the entire com- 
munity, and yet he was modest and quiet in everything he did. When 
he offered a resolution in the organization meeting of 1889 to pro- 
ceed at once to establish a school of high character, all were ready, 
without question, to follow his leadership. What he meant to the 
institution, it is impossible to estimate. The full effect of Colonel 
Scott's gift was very great, but he did much more than to offer his 
money. He gave himself, his prayers, his interest, his counsel, his 
constant support. With all his power, influence, and ability he stood 
squarely behind the school. 

During the early years, there were annual recurring deficiencies. 
In the course of six years, these amounted to $30,000. All of this 
money Colonel Scott paid himself. Up to the time of his death, he had 
invested in the institution more than $175,000. He never thought 
anything impossible which ought to be done. He was a Christian 
optimist. 

The work of Colonel Scott in behalf of the institution has been 
ably carried on by his family. Mr. G. B. Scott, his son, and Mrs. 
C. E. Harman, his youngest daughter, served on the Board of Trustees 
in the same unselfish and constructive manner as did their father 
until their deaths. The family's services and support of Agnes Scott 
in all that is finest and best are worthily continued by Mr. J.J. Scott 
and Captain Scott Candler, grandsons of Colonel George W. Scott. 

The death of Colonel Scott brought a crisis in the life of the in- 
stitution. The maintenance of standards which had been set by Dr. 
Gaines and his associates was no easy task. Education for women 
was not then appreciated. Most of the students who came did not 
intend to graduate. Every year the curriculum of the school was 
raised by adding work at the top and eliminating the lower grades. 
The institution was rapidly growing to the college level, but it made 
the securing of students more difficult than ever. There was a real 
question as to whether the Institute could survive. 

During the fourteen years that Colonel Scott was the guiding 
spirit of Agnes Scott Institute, he had been able to see very gratify- 
ing developments. The physical plant had been extended. Three 
acres of land just west of Main Building (where Rebekah Scott Hall 
now stands) had been purchased, together with West Lawn Cottage, 
which stood on that site. This cottage was used for additional stu- 
dents, but it did not furnish enough room, and so the White House 
was rented from Colonel Scott so as to provide additional room. 

 21  



A science hall was erected in 1902, just half-way between Main 
Building and the present Library. At that time, it was one of the 
most modern and up-to-date buildings for science instruction in 
Georgia. 

A combination gymnasium and recitation building was in process 
of erection at the time of Colonel Scott's death. 

The Institute had grown very much in popularity and had an 
attendance of 276 students, more than four times the original en- 
rollment. It also had a staff of teachers and officers numbering 
twenty-four, six times the original faculty group. 

The school budget had likewise grown some six-fold, being at 
the time of his death approximately $30,000 per year in comparison 
with $5,000 in 1889-1890. The assets of the school were approximately 
$200,000, nearly all of which had been contributed by Colonel Scott 
himself. At the time of his death, other friends had contributed some 
$50,000, largely through the efforts of President F. H. Gaines, who 
was becoming increasingly active in financial solicitations in Atlanta 
and within the Synod of Georgia. 



 22 




Chapter V 

AGNES SCOTT BECOMES A COLLEGE 



T a meeting of the Board of Trustees on October 13, 1903, Mr. 
Samuel M. Inman was elected Chairman of the Board to 
succeed Colonel Scott. No more fortunate selection could 
have been made. He had become a member of the Board in 1899 
through his friendship with Colonel Scott and his admiration for all 
the latter represented. He had served long enough to have the utmost 
confidence in Dr. Gaines as an educational leader, and he was familiar 
with the problems of the Institute. 

Mr. Inman was without question the "first citizen" of Atlanta, 
and his leadership in every enterprise insured success. Not a single 
failure was ever recorded against the enterprises he led, whether in 
business or in education or in the religious world or in civic affairs. 

Mr. Inman hesitated for several months whether or not to accept 
the position as Chairman. His business required him to be absent 
from Atlanta a great part of the time and he was already heavily 
burdened with philanthropic enterprises. His acceptance on Febru- 
ary 9, 1904, brought a great deal of enthusiasm to the supporters of 
the Institute, and they were not disheartened by the fact that he 
assumed the responsibility for only a year. They rightly thought 
that when he once took hold, he would see the enterprise through to 
success. 

His first act as Chairman was to bring into the Board of Trustees 
Mr. J. K. Orr, who had been associated with him in various Atlanta 
undertakings and who was destined to play a large part in the develop- 
ment of Agnes Scott. 

Mr. Inman was no nominal Chairman, and he and Dr. Gaines at 
once attacked the three main problems facing the Institute. These 
were a better physical plant, the development of the Institute into 
a real college, and the securing of endowment. 

The improvement of the physical plant was first undertaken. 
In October, 1904, the present infirmary was bought from Captain 
Milton A. Candler for $4,000. It stood then where Lowry Science 
Hall is now located. The alumnae undertook to raise money for the 

 23  



purchase of this building, but Dr. Gaines raised most of the funds 
from Atlanta friends. 

The erection of Rebekah Scott Hall was authorized on February 9, 
1905. Mr. Inman led the subscription list with $15,000. Colonel 
Scott and his five children had set up a memorial fund of S20,000 
in honor of his wife, Rebekah Scott; and, with the consent of his 
children, this was added to the building fund. Mrs. B. F. Abbott, 
Captain J. W. English, and other friends cooperated so that the large 
and commodious dormitory was erected and ready for use for the fall 
term of 1906. 

In June of 1906, the land on the east side of the campus, extending 
from College Avenue to the lately purchased infirmary, was acquired. 
This included the White House, which had been rented for a number 
of years. East Lawn Cottage (which stood on the present site of 
Inman Hall), and Gaines Cottage, which had been the private resi- 
dence of Dr. and Mrs. Gaines, but was now transformed into the 
President's home. Mr. Inman personally bought the Crockett house 
(now occupied by Mr. R. B. Cunningham), and three vacant lots 
(on which the Gymnasium and new Library now stand), and donated 
the property to the Institute. 

At the same time, Mr. G. B. Scott, who had now become Chair- 
man of the Committee on Buildings and Grounds, donated the land 
south of Rebekah Scott Hall where Buttrick Hall and the engineer's 
cottage now stand, and on this site he supervised the erection of a new 
steam plant to serve the whole campus. These various changes and 
improvements were made during the summer of 1906, and that par- 
ticular year stands out as one of the most active in the history of Agnes 
Scott. 

While the physical plant was being emphasized and developed, 
the educational program of the Institute was receiving even more 
attention. It was no easy task to grow from a grammar grade school 
to the level of a college. The process of discontinuing each year the 
lowest grade and adding a higher one at the top was very dishearten- 
ing to some of the students who were in attendance at that period. 
Some of them were seniors in the school for four consecutive years 
without being able to graduate. It is small wonder that of the 1663 
students who attended Agnes Scott Institute, only 68 received di- 
plomas. 

When Agnes Scott had attained the standing of a college prepara- 
tory school, becoming a member as a secondary school of the Southern 
Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and having its grad- 
uates eligible for admission to eastern colleges for women, there was a 

 24  



great deal of rejoicing. This recognition was attained when the In- 
stitute was about ten years old. 

In the year 1898, Dr. H. B. Arbuckle came to the Institute as 
Professor of Chemistry and remained for fifteen years. In the de- 
velopment of Agnes Scott into a real college, he was of the greatest 
assistance. He was well acquainted with college curricula and stand- 
ards. He represented the Institute at the meetings of the educational 
associatians and ascertained the various steps that ought to be se- 
cured for full college recognition. Changes were made in the school 
curriculum, improvements in faculty training were arranged, the Li- 
brary was strengthened, and salaries increased. By 1905, Agnes Scott 
felt that it was ready for admission to the Southern Association of 
Colleges and Secondary Schools as a standard institution. It was 
recognized then as being worthy, but one additional step was re- 
quired: the entire separation of college and preparatory work. This 
was immediately arranged. Agnes Scott Academy was organized as 
a secondary school with its own faculty, student body, educational 
program, and building, the academic quarters of the Gymnasium be- 
ing designated as belonging to the Academy. On March 16, 1906, a 
petition was presented to the Superior Court of DeKalb County to 
change the name from Agnes Scott Institute to Agnes Scott Col- 
lege. This petition was granted, and the first degrees were conferred 
on five young women at the Commencement in 1906. 

In 1907, Agnes Scott College was admitted to the Southern As- 
sociation of Colleges and Secondary Schools as a collegiate member, 
and at the same time, Agnes Scott Academy was enrolled as a second- 
ary school. Agnes Scott was the second college for women to be ad- 
mitted to this Association and the first institution of college rank in 
the state of Georgia to be so recognized. 

It was a very happy day for Dr. Gaines, Miss Hopkins, and other 
workers for the College who were thus attaining the place and recog- 
nition around which early dreams were built and which seemed so 
far away and difficult to win. Recognition by the Southern Asso- 
ciation meant that Agnes Scott's credits would be accepted through- 
out the United States on an equal basis with any other institution. 
There was yet much to be accomplished in its development, but the 
first great objective had been attained. 

As soon as Agnes Scott became a college, there were a number of 
internal changes made in line with the new college rank. Student gov- 
ernment was initiated by a grant to the students from the faculty, 
and it has continuously been a great blessing in the promotion of 
high ideals and of strong character building. 

 25  



While the Trustees still held the President primarily responsible 
for the guidance of the religious life of the institution, they approved 
of his granting a constitution for the Young Women's Christian 
Association, which was organized at that time. It also has worked 
through the years in close cooperation with the Student Government 
Association for the promotion of spiritual life of the students. The 
more recently organized Christian Association of Agnes Scott Col- 
lege has brought together better than ever before all the forces on the 
campus for the promotion of spiritual life. 



26  



Chapter VI 

CAMPAIGN OF ^909 



THE wide acquaintance which Mr. S. M. Inman had with business 
men in New York was of great value in promoting the interests 
of Agnes Scott College. On February 9, 1905, he was requested 
to approach Mr. Andrew Carnegie with the request to contribute 
$50,000 for the purpose of erecting a library and music building on 
the campus. This approach resulted in a long investigation of Agnes 
Scott by Mr. Carnegie and in a final offer to give $25,000 for the 
erection of a library building on condition that the College raise 
$25,000 for endowment. 

In the meantime, Mr. Inman had already invited the General Edu- 
cation Board of New York, which had been founded by Mr. John D. 
Rockefeller, to make an investigation of the College. While this was 
pending, Mr. Inman himself, on May 29, 1907, offered to contribute 
$50,000 for the erection and equipment of a new dormitory on con- 
dition that the College would raise an equal amount. 

In the summer of 1908, Dr. Wallace Buttrick of the General Edu- 
cation Board visited the College and made a thorough investigation 
of its educational and financial program. He was very much pleased 
with the academic standards which were being maintained in spite of 
numerous difficulties, and he felt that the institution was one in 
which his Board would be glad to make an investment. He suggested 
an offer of $50,000 or $60,000 toward a rather modest objective, or 
as much as $100,000 toward a total of $350,000. The Board of Trus- 
tees accepted the challenge for the larger sum. 

On October 27, 1908, the General Education Board offered $100,000 
on condition that Agnes Scott secure, before December 1, 1909, 
pledges for $250,000 additional. The total sum was to be allocated as 
follows: for endowment, $175,000; for a library building, $25,000; for 
a dormitory, $50,000; for additional land, $15,000; for additions and 
improvements, $25,000; for clearing indebtedness, $60,000. 

It was quite a wonderful offer for the South, and especially for a 
college for women, and immediate steps were taken to raise the re- 
quired supplementary sum. Mr. J. K. Orr was Chairman of the 

 27  



Campaign Committee and Mr. Inman and other members of the 
Board were closely associated with him. As always, President F. H. 
Gaines was in the fore-front of the workers, giving time, thought, and 
prayer to the achievement. 

It was decided to have a whirlwind campaign during November, 
1909. Atlanta had never had such a program for raising money, and 
the movement aroused a great deal of interest. The papers for weeks 
ahead were full of the story, and the interest of many prominent citi- 
zens was enlisted in the organization of the various teams and groups 
of workers. 

While the plans for the campaign were being made, and just 
before the time appointed for the canvass, a great calamity overtook 
the College. A serious outbreak of typhoid fever began among the 
students. There were thirty cases in all. A number of students were 
called home. Everything possible was done to meet the serious con- 
dition. Daily bulletins telling the exact truth were mailed to parents. 
Fortunately, there were no deaths and the cause of the outbreak was 
located and further trouble was avoided. 

In spite of this handicap and rather depressing situation, the 
campaign moved forward under skilled leadership and was a complete 
success. The closing meeting was held in Taft Hall, Atlanta. The 
students and faculty attended in a body and the Hall was well filled 
with friends of the College. Mr. Orr presided in his happiest manner. 
After securing many additional subscriptions, Mr. Orr announced, 
"Over the top," and the audience went wild. 

This campaign was important not merely for the financial re- 
sult attained, but because of the prestige which the College received 
and the wide-spread interest in it which was created through the 
South. One of the largest donations, made in the beginning of this 
general campaign, was by Colonel and Mrs. R. J. Lowry of Atlanta. 
It was decided to use this particular gift for the endowment of a new 
Science Hall which was planned as a part of the new development and 
at the same time, plans were immediately drawn for the new Library 
and the new Dormitory, which were included in the general campaign 
objectives. 

In order to proceed with these buildings, it was necessary to 
move East Lawn from the site where Inman Hall now is to a position 
at the rear of the White House. It was necessary, also, to move the 
infirmary from the present site of Science Building and it was located 
where our present gymnasium was later placed. From that site, it 
was moved again, and the opening of the drive from Candler Street to 
McDonough made necessary still another move for the infirmary to its 

 28  



fourth and present position. In the meantime, when Rebekah Scott 
was built, West Lawn was moved to a location where the new Library 
now stands, and later it was necessary to move it again south of the 
campus, on College Place. 

The College ran into difficulties with the erection of Inman Hall, 
Carnegie Library, and Lowry Science Hall. Three separate con- 
tractors had been engaged to erect these structures, and each one 
in turn failed and threw up his job. It was necessary to complete 
the buildings by supervised work under the general charge of Mr. 
G. B. Scott; and in spite of every effort, additional expenses were 
incurred in their completion. 

As a part of the general development resulting from this cam- 
paign, the Kennedy house, now occupied by Mr. Tart, and the Mac- 
lean cottage, in which Dr. Sweet lives, and Ansley cottage, a faculty 
house, were acquired by the College and included in the general en- 
dowment fund. After Agnes Scott Institute had been established, the 
South Decatur street car line was built and was located through what 
is now the campus to a terminus on College Avenue just in front of 
White House. The College wished to close that street and to move the 
car line. It was with great difficulty that arrangements were made 
for the change. The College found it necessary to pay for the re- 
laying of the tracks, and these were located along Ansley Street and 
South Candler Street, the route of the present Stone Mountain cars. 

This was also a period of rapid growth for the institution and a 
time for making many friends who would be helpful in later years. 



 29  




Mr. Joseph K. Orr 



Chairman of the Board of Trustees 1915-1938. Director of most of Agnes 
Scott's financial campaigns. During his administration, the College attained its 
most rapid growth and recognition. 



Chapter VII 

TEN YEARS OF GROWTH 



IT required some three years after the campaign of 1909 to collect 
and expend the funds which were secured in that effort. The 
College gained a great deal of prestige as well as increased equip- 
ment and endowment. For the first time it attained something of 
national recognition. In 1912, the United States Government, 
through its Bureau of Education, undertook a classification and 
rating of institutions. This study was conducted by Dr. K. C. Bab- 
cock. While the list was never officially published, its findings were 
issued through a bulletin of the Southern Association of College 
Women. This list included Agnes Scott in Group I with the stronger 
institutions for men and women and for the larger co-educational 
institutions. It was very gratifying to the friends of Agnes Scott to 
have it rated in this manner. 

In 1913 it was decided to discontinue Agnes Scott Academy. The 
campus was too crowded to maintain two institutions, and the in- 
creasing number of college students made the change seem feasible. 
It was a real sorrow to the friends of education throughout the South 
to have the Academy discontinued. It had won such a fine reputation 
that quite a number of cities requested that the Academy be con- 
tinued in a new location under the auspices of the College. The 
Trustees, however, felt that the operation of one institution would be 
a sufficiently great responsibility and very wisely decided not to con- 
tinue the preparatory work in any form. 

In May, 1914, the College celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. 
Under the supervision of a committee of the faculty, of which Miss 
Louise McKinney was a leading spirit, a pageant was organized to 
show the history of Agnes Scott's growth. The program was a great 
success. Representatives of institutions throughout the country were 
present to bring greetings and to cooperate in a very colorful occasion. 

Most of the exercises were held on the Agnes Scott campus, but 
in the evening there was a mass meeting in Atlanta where an address 
was delivered by Vice-President T. R. Marshall and which helped very 
greatly to popularize the College in the Atlanta area. 



31 



The World War, which developed during the summer of 1914, 
raised many difficulties and problems for the College. The enrollment 
fell off sharply because of uncertain business conditions. The dif- 
ficulty in the sale of cotton and other commodities made the collection 
of fees a real problem. These difficulties, however, were shared by 
other institutions and by the public in general, so that people be- 
came adjusted to the situation and fears subsided. 

Just before the outbreak of the World War, Chairman S. M. In- 
man wrote a letter to the Board of Trustees expressing deep concern 
over the debt of approximately $50,000 which was so great a handi- 
cap in the progress of the College, and offered to contribute $25,000 
if an equal amount could be secured from other friends by January 
1, 1915. It was certainly no time for securing money on easy terms. 
The Trustees suggested to Mr. Inman that he modify his date for 
securing the supplementary amount, but he wisely held to his original 
suggestion. Under the leadership of Mr. J. K. Orr, the campaign 
was successfully concluded and a large part of the indebtedness of 
the College was eliminated. 

Mr. Inman became seriously ill and insisted that his resignation 
as Chairman of the Board be accepted. He requested that Mr. J. K. 
Orr be named as his successor. At a called meeting of the Board of 
Trustees on December 26, 1914, his resignation was reluctantly ac- 
cepted and Mr. Orr was unanimously and heartily elected Chairman. 

In a few days Mr. Inman had passed away. On January 26, 
1915, resolutions of appreciation were adopted by the Board of Trus- 
tees and these included the following paragraph, which expresses 
something of the attitude which his fellow workers for Agnes Scott 
felt toward the great leader: 

"As a Trustee he ever evinced the deepest interest in the welfare 
of the College. As Chairman he presided over the meetings of the 
Board with dignity and grace. He was always modest and consider- 
ate of others and yet a wise leader, ever commanding without effort 
the hearty support and cooperation of every member. His devotion 
and faithfulness were unfailing. He gave himself without stint and 
cheerfully to the advancement of every enterprise of the College. In- 
deed, it is impossible to over-estimate what his interest, his leader- 
ship, and his efforts meant to the institution. During the time of his 
chairmanship, it made very remarkable advances in the enlargement 
and improvement of its plant, more than doubled its assets, and de- 
veloped from a secondary school to a college of standard grade." 

Immediately on the death of Mr. Inman, his son, Mr. Frank M. 
Inman, and his widow, Mrs. Mildred McPheeters Inman, were elect- 

 32  



ed to membership on the Board of Trustees; and they have greatly 
assisted in carrying on the fine work which he had done for Agnes 
Scott. 

When Mr. Orr assumed the leadership of the Board of Trustees, 
he was already experienced in the work for Agnes Scott, having served 
through the whole period of Mr. Inman's chairmanship. His first act 
as Chairman was to secure the services of Dr. J. R. McCain to assist 
President Gaines in the administrative work of the institution. His 
appointment was announced to the Board of Trustees at the same 
meeting that announced the death of Mr. Inman. 

The World War, which included the United States by 1917, kept 
the business affairs of the College in a somewhat uncertain state, and 
many of the faculty felt the call of duty to serve the United States 
Government in various capacities. By the close of the war in the 
fall of 1918, conditions had greatly improved and a period of pros- 
perity seemed in prospect. 

At this period, a proposal was made by some of the Trustees that 
Agnes Scott acquire some two hundred acres in the Druid Hills sec- 
tion and build a new plant. A group of Atlanta citizens were ready 
to make a bid for the Agnes Scott property in order to open a private 
school for girls. While there were many attractive features about the 
program, it was decided it would be best that there be no change of 
location. 

The decision to remain on the original site resulted in the neces- 
sity of purchasing additional land. The Conn lot of three acres fac- 
ing McDonough Street between College Avenue and Ansley Street 
was purchased. About three acres more were acquired from Dr. F. H. 
Gaines, just south of the present gymnasium, including the May Day 
dell and the adjacent woods. Lupton and Boyd cottages, with the 
adjacent land (on which is now located the Alumnae House) were 
purchased, partly to increase the student capacity and partly to se- 
cure a larger frontage on Candler Street. 

In 1919 the General Education Board made a second offer to the 
College for the purpose of increasing the endowment of the institu- 
tion. They proposed to give $175,000 on condition that the College 
raise a supplemental sum of $325,000. When the Board of Trustees 
met to consider the offer, there was great hesitation about beginning 
so large a campaign. After a silence of some length, one member of 
the Board suggested that he hesitated to make a motion of accept- 
ance, but he would be willing to second such a motion if made. Dr. 
Gaines promptly made the motion of acceptance and it was unan- 
imously carried. 

 33  



1/ 



A vigorous campaign was made throughout Georgia and the South, 
and subscriptions were secured to meet the supplemental sum by 
May 1, 1920. Just at that time. Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Sr., made 
a large grant of money to the General Education Board to assist in 
increasing the salaries of teachers. The members of faculties in all 
institutions were suffering greatly because of the high cost of living 
which resulted from the war. Agnes Scott was one of the first in- 
stitutions to be approved by the General Education Board for a 
grant from this special fund. They offered the College $100,000 on 
condition that a supplemental sum of $150,000 be secured. There 
were many difficulties in the way because the previous campaign had 
just been completed and the subscriptions had not yet been paid. To 
the great delight of Agnes Scott friends, the Carnegie Corporation of 
New York made a grant of $75,000, and this enabled the College to 
complete the campaign successfully. All of the funds thus secured 
were used for building up endowment, and the institution was thus 
put on a very sound basis. 

One of the most interesting events of this period was the erection 
of the Anna Young Alumnae House, one of the first buildings of its 
kind provided in this country. The Trustees and Alumnae jointly 
raised special funds for this. It was named in honor of Miss Anna 
Young, for more than 21 years a beloved teacher of Mathematics at 
Agnes Scott. It has been a valuable asset on the campus. 

On August 23, 1922, the present Charter of the College was ap- 
proved for a period of 20 years. It provides for a maximum of 27 
Trustees, of whom 14 are "corporate", named by the Board itself and 
not subject to confirmation by any other group. The Board will 
nominate 11 others, subject to confirmation by Synods of the Pres- 
byterian Church in the United States as follows: Alabama 4, Florida 
3, and Georgia 4. The other 2 members are to be nominated by the 
Board subject to confirmation by the national Alumnae Association 
of Agnes Scott College. This arrangement gives a close and sympa- 
thetic relationship to the Church, so that Agnes Scott is listed as an 
"affiliated" Presbyterian college; but in a legal and technical sense 
it is non-sectarian and independent. It asks no place on the church 
budgets for current support, but it serves the Presbyterian Church as 
fully as if ecclesiastically controlled. The plan has proved eminently 
satisfactorv to all concerned. 



34 



Chapter VIII 

DEATH OF DR. GAINES 




jN April 14, 1923, Dr. F. H. Gaines passed away. Only three 
days before, he had seemed to be in usual health, but had gone 
to a hospital on the advice of his physician to have a general 
checking of his health condition. His symptoms were not regarded as 
dangerous, and it was a great shock to the College community when 
his death came so suddenly. 

Dr. Gaines left the College in excellent shape. He had looked 
after all the details of his office with promptness and efficiency, and 
his desk had no accumulated work that had been overlooked. The 
faculty for the next session had been selected and the budget had been 
prepared. He had gathered around him an able corps of officers and 
teachers, and his organization was so good that the life of the College 
could proceed without handicap. 

Dr. Gaines passed away, just as he always hoped he might, in the 
very midst of his active duties. His faculty, officers, and students 
were all around him, and he merely stepped out of his office into the 
radiant life of service for the King. 

Funeral services were very, very simple, as he would desire. He 
passed away on Saturday. All day Sunday his body lay in state on 
the chapel platform, where for almost numberless days he had read 
and prayed for the College and the girls. On Sabbath morning, a 
service was conducted by the students. During the day, hundreds of 
friends came quietly and reverently to look on his face or to sit in the 
chapel and meditate on his wonderful achievements for the kingdom of 
Christ. 

The funeral services were conducted in the Decatur Presbyterian 
Church, where he had been pastor, and the entire College community 
attended the services there and went to West View cemetery in 
Atlanta for the final note of thanksgiving for him and the work which 
he had accomplished. 

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 the working out of all details. The audit of July 1, 1923, im- 

 35  



mediately following his death, showed that the College then possessed 
fixed assets, including buildings, real estate, furnishings, and inven- 
tories to the value of $559,142.83; and cash and investments to the 
extent of $330,825.41. In addition, the subscriptions on the recent 
campaign were in progress, so that the total assets would be larger 
than shown by the audit. Dr. Gaines had frequently remarked that 
if he could see the College worth a million dollars, he would feel as- 
sured of its permanence and would die content. He lived to see the 
substantial fulfillment of this dream. 

Although his heavy burden of executive responsibilities left him 
little time for sustained literary work or pastoral endeavor, he yet 
found time to write a series of textbooks for Bible study which are 
considered among the best in this country, and to deliver frequent 
sermons which were characterized by a rare charm of diction, original 
thought and spiritual vigor. Davidson College conferred upon him at 
different times the degree of D. D. and LL. D., the latter in recog- 
nition of "eminent service rendered the cause of education". 

On the personal side. Dr. Gaines was grave, modest, almost dif- 
fident. He was wrapped up so completely in his great educational 
work that he found little time for recreation. He gave himself un- 
stintedly to his ever increasing responsibilities and literally wore him- 
self out in the service of Agnes Scott. 

The College girls were disposed to stand in awe of his seeming 
austerity when they entered the College, but it is an Agnes Scott 
tradition that most girls soon discovered that this impression grew 
out of his intense earnestness and they found his great heart and 
learned to love him as a friend. They always found him responsive, 
attentive, considerate, gentle, and wise. 

In all of his activities, whether in the ministry or in educational 
work, he found in Mrs. Gaines a companion and helpmeet in the 
truest sense. Her cultured and gracious personality meant much to 
the students, faculty, and friends of Agnes Scott. 

The faculty resolutions adopted after the death of Dr. Gaines 
summarized so well his characteristics and his service that they are 
quoted in full: 

"We feel that formal resolutions on this occasion would be inade- 
quate for the expression of the deep emotion experienced by the 
faculty in the realization of this event which has deprived us so sud- 
denly of the presiding influence of the College, and that it will be 
more fitting to record a statement of Dr. Gaines' outstanding traits 

 36  



of character because of which we, who were very close to him, shall 
always cherish his memory. 

"It is a fact that every great calamity brings with it certain bless- 
ings for those who are bereaved. When a great man is taken from 
us, we are prone to mourn, forgetting, it may be, the fact that his 
place justly won among the immortals gives to us permanent memo- 
ries of his work, lasting influence of his character which continues to 
preside over and direct our fortunes. As we consider the life of Dr. 
Gaines as President of this College, there are several definite facts 
that come to our minds, facts that will outlast all material evidence 
of his great achievement in the building of this college. They are 
the facts of his character. 

"Fundamental in the structure of that character was his faith in 
God. Before he began his work as an educator he was widely known 
as a preacher of the Gospel  an evangelical preacher of great power. 
He carried with him into his work for the founding and development 
of the college this same evangelical spirit  a spirit of faith and en- 
thusiasm which fashioned all his acts with one end in view, as stated 
in his formulation of the Agnes Scott "Ideal", to accomplish in every 
activity of the institution the Glory of God. 

"Those of us who knew him longest can trace this fundamental 
motive through all his ambitions and achievements in connection 
with the life of the college up to the present moment. 

"His insistence on Christian character as an indispensable quali- 
fication for all members of the teaching force; his constant effort to 
preserve the spirit of Christ in every activity of the student body, 
whether academic or otherwise; his unhesitating loyalty to his faith 
in every policy of the college; his unfailing effort to be just in every 
decision; his fearless integrity in small matters as well as in great; and 
withal, his tender sympathy, which all who have found themselves in 
trouble have experienced, these are the traits which will give him a 
permanent place in the affectionate memory of every member of this 
faculty; these are the traits which we wish to place on record for future 
generations of faculty members. The college will stand as a per- 
manent and lofty public memorial of his life work. It is our pleasure 
to try to record our impressions of the sources from which this great 
achievement was able to grow. 

"Only from a faith like his could so large a vision have been realized. 
Only from a faith like his could so great a courage have been brought 
forth. 

 37  



"It was his faith in God that enabled him to hold steadfastly to the 
admission standard as stated in the catalogue, year after year in those 
trying days of a decade and more ago when the very life of colleges 
appeared to depend on their ability to attract large numbers of stu- 
dents. Knowing full well that adherence to the standard of admis- 
sion would probably mean a deficit to be reported to the Board of 
Trustees at the end of the year, he yet never let himself be turned a 
hair's breadth from his purpose to maintain an honest standard, de- 
spite the mental worry that would inevitably result from his action, 
and the ease with which he might have doubled the student body by 
making the concessions which most institutions similarly situated 
were making freely. No one who did not live through those years 
with him can fully appreciate the greatness and steadfastness of the 
man in these trying circumstances. 

"It was that same faith in God tranquilizing and making firm his 
life purpose, which gave to him his broad policy as an executive. He 
never intruded himself into the affairs of any department, after he 
had once committed the work to one whom he had reason to believe 
competent. No college president ever exercised greater care in the 
selection of his staff of instructors. Once chosen, they were free al- 
ways to do what seemed best to them in their respective departments  
a policy the wisdom of which has been abundantly proved in the grati- 
fying advancement that has steadily marked the growth of the col- 
lege. He regarded each department head as a specialist in his par- 
ticular work, demanding only that the Spirit of Christ should always 
be recognized as supreme and that every student should have a fair 
chance to do her best, that every student should always have clear 
access to the truth that brings freedom. 

"It was the recognition throughout the South of his integrity of 
motive, based on faith in God, that gave to him so wide and profound 
an influence in the matter of advancing the school and college stand- 
ards of this section. Educators everywhere saw what his faith and 
integrity had accomplished, and, in the course of years, it became 
apparent that standards were gradually being adapted to the ideals 
which he so forcefully maintained. There is usually a personality 
back of general movements forward. \\'e believe that to him is due 
a very large share of the credit for the realization of higher ideals in 
education in the Southern States. He placed this college in a com- 
manding position with regard to both high schools and other colleges 
of this section, so that we all feel now the responsibility that rests 
upon us, and must shape our policies accordingly. 

 38  



"In his removal we suffer an irreparable personal loss. But we 
have large cause for joy as we reflect on the triumphant close of his 
earthly career  with a joy that we would hand down to the genera- 
tions to follow us. 

"We rejoice that he lived to pilot the college through its years of 
struggle. We rejoice that he lived to see the triumph of his efforts in 
the national recognition of the institution as a permanent part of the 
higher educational hope of the country. We rejoice that he was able 
to go to his reward so easily and so swiftly  straight from the very 
midst of his best activity. 

"But most of all we rejoice in Agnes Scott as he has left it to us. 
Pervaded since its inception by his personality; permeated through 
and through by the faith with which he built it; infusing that faith, 
consciously or unconsciously, into the hearts of its students; having 
as its great mission the sending forth into the world of young women 
trained in all that is most perfectly and truly womanly, with a woman- 
liness based deeply in Christian character  we rejoice in it as a legacy, 
the sacred keeping and wise promotion of which must be always our 
deepest concern. 

"And so, we commend the memory of Dr. Gaines to the future. 
May those who follow us here always treasure the inner secret of his 
triumphant life!" 

These resolutions were written by Dr. J. D. M. Armistead, Pro- 
fessor of English at Agnes Scott. It is a touching fact that before 
they could be read to the faculty, Dr. Armistead himself had passed 
away, his death being due in part to the shock of losing Dr. Gaines 
so suddenly. 

Dr. Armistead had been connected with the College for many 
years and had been very closely associated with President Gaines in 
the faculty, in the administrative work of the College, and in other 
personal relations. While he had not been well for some years, his 
death was a distinct shock to the College, and his loss was keenly 
felt. 



 39 




Dr. James Ross McCain 

Assistant to President F. H. Gaines 1915-1923. Second President of the Col- 
lege 1923  . Interested in the cooperative efforts for higher education in the South. 



Chapter IX 

A NEW PRESIDENT 



IN 1915, President Gaines and Chairman Orr had brought Dr. J. R. 
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 later was made Vice-President and Associate Director of the 
campaign work. In 1920, he had been elected a member of the Board 
of Trustees. 

On the death of Dr. Gaines, he was named Acting President by 
the Executive Committee. At the annual meeting of the Board of 
Trustees on May 25, 1923, he was elected President. 

The experience and training received under the guidance of Dr. 
Gaines were invaluable. A particularly able and loyal stafT were al- 
ready in service and most of these, including the Dean, the Registrar, 
the Business Manager, the Treasurer, and many others had been in 
the administrative work of the College for a long time. 

One of the first privileges of the new administration was to re- 
ceive a legacy which had been provided in the will of Miss Jane Walk- 
er Inman. This amounted to approximately $150,000, with $50,000 
more to be added after a life interest had been completed. It was 
the largest single gift by an individual at one time which the College 
had received. Miss Inman was a sister of Mr. Samuel M. Inman, for 
a long time Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and her legacy was 
to provide an endowment fund in honor of her brother, whose in- 
terest in Agnes Scott had aroused her own desire to help the insti- 
tution. 

In 1925, the Trustees added two additional items to the general 
Ideal under which the College was operating. Originally this Ideal 
included only the intellectual and religious emphases. It was now 
deemed wise to add as a third item "Physical Fitness". Adequate 
facilities had never been made for Physical Education, health service, 
and recreation. It was now determined that the best building on the 
campus would be a gymnasium and health center. 

A fourth emphasis in the Ideal is the development of charming 
personalities. It was realized that this was hard to define and hard 

 41  



to include in specific training. It would cover such qualities as at- 
tractive appearance, poise, dignity, restraint where proper, frank- 
ness, simplicity, and avoidance of extremes. 

The program of the College was carefully studied to see that the 
entrance requirements, the curriculum, the student activities, and 
other interests of the College should help to train young women on 
the four-fold program thus set forth. 

It was quite evident that new buildings must be erected if the 
College should go forward and if it should take its place among the 
leading institutions for women in the country. In order that the 
building program should be unified and made as effective as possible. 
Cram and Ferguson, Boston architects, were employed to make a 
study of the whole campus plan and to provide suggestions for future 
development. These plans, as later revised and improved by Ed- 
wards and Say ward, local architects, were accepted as a general guide 
in the development of the institution. From necessity the College 
had hitherto considered utility as the main item in architecture. The 
new plans undertook to emphasize beauty as also of prime importance. 

The first building to be erected according to the new plan was the 
Bucher Scott Gymnasium, named in honor of Mr. G. B. Scott, who 
was for many years a member of the Board of Trustees and for a 
considerable part of that time, Chairman of the Committee on Build- 
ings and Grounds. 

Funds for the gymnasium were raised in a special campaign from 
the campus community and from alumnae and other friends through- 
out the South. The total cost was approximately S160,000, and the 
largest single subscription toward the building was $1,000. It was 
constructed with a view to using it, at least temporarily, as the Col- 
lege auditorium, and it has served a very useful purpose as a com- 
munity center. 

It was soon evident that additional land would be needed if the 
College were to erect additional buildings and make provision for 
future growth. The Trustees authorized the purchase of any lots 
that might come on the market at reasonable prices between College 
Avenue, McDonough. Dougherty, and Candler Streets. Under this 
general authority, within a period of ten years, the College acquired 
through the purchase of individual lots approximately seven addi- 
tional acres of land. Monev for this was provided very largely through 
a general campaign which will be later mentioned. 

In educational recognition, Agnes Scott for some years had desired 
to secure a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, but had never been willing 
to make an application for this honor. In 1925, for the first time, 

 42  



the United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa adopted the poUcy of ex- 
tending invitations to institutions. On the nomination of the regional 
district, Agnes Scott was voted the first chapter on the new invitation 
plan, and its friends were very grateful to the neighboring chapters 
in the South Atlantic district which had thus made possible this 
much coveted recognition and honor. 

In 1931, a chapter of Mortar Board was installed at the College, 
and its purpose is to promote a spirit of service and fellowship, the 
maintenance of a high standard of scholarship, and the recognition 
and encouragement of leadership. 



43  




Hon. Charles Murphey Candler 



One of the original Trustees who served for more than forty-six years. 
Chairman of the Executive Committee. Chairman of the Committee on 
Buildings and Grounds. 



Chapter X 
CAMPAIGN OF ^9^9 



THE growth and recognition attained by Agnes Scott emphasized 
all the more its inadequate buildings and equipment and the 
scantiness of its endowment funds. The Trustees felt the neces- 
sity of improvement, but they could not see their way clear for the 
raising of such large sums as would be necessary for achieving ade- 
quate results. As in 1909 and again in 1919, they turned once more to 
their very generous and cooperative friend, the General Education 
Board of New York. This Board had for some years discontinued the 
general policy of helping colleges. It seemed almost too much to hope 
that they would make an exception in the case of Agnes Scott. Presi- 
dent Trevor Arnett and several other officers of the Board visited the 
College and made a careful survey of its progress and needs. As a 
result of this visit, they made two offers totalling $500,000, on con- 
dition that the College would raise a supplementary sum of $1,000,000, 
with the condition that at least $500,000 of the total sum would be 
used for endowment. 

The campaign was launched on the campus first, as usual, and 
the faculty and students made a wonderful response. With a goal of 
$40,000 as an objective, they eventually subscribed three times as 
much. Before the campaign could be gotten under way in Atlanta 
and in the South, the depression came and business conditions were 
very much upset. In spite of all difficulties, the College was able to 
go forward with securing its subscriptions, and by July 1, 1931, the 
full $1,500,000 had been pledged. 

In this campaign, the active Chairman was Mr. George Winship, 
who proved to be so efficient and capable and who so endeared him- 
self to the Trustees, faculty, students, and other friends that he w^as 
speedily elected to membership on the Board of Trustees. The loyal 
service to the College thus begun under many difficulties has con- 
tinued ever since. 

Under the agreemxcnt which Agnes Scott had with the General 
Education Board, all subscriptions were to be payable by July 1, 1934. 
On account of serious financial conditions throughout the country, 
many subscribers were not able to pay in full by the appointed time. 

 45  



The Board very generously allowed an extension of one year and of- 
fered to the College a special grant of an additional $100,000 if the 
College would collect in full the supplemental sum of SI, 000, 000 which 
had been proposed in 1929. This was too stimulating a challenge to 
go unmet, and a special campaign was launched to secure approxi- 
mately $200,000 which must be obtained in order to make a complete 
success of the whole effort and to secure the additional SIOO.OOO. 

As in previous efforts, the campaign was launched among the 
faculty and students, and more than ten per cent of the needed money 
was immediately pledged. Many alumnae and local friends came to 
the rescue with sacrificial gifts, and by July 1, 1935, the required 
amount was provided in cash and the General Education Board 
paid their full amount, which brought their grants to that date up to 
$975,000. The various gifts by the Board had been the means of en- 
couraging others to give more than twice that amount, and the whole 
growth of the College had thus been greatly stimulated. 

The general results of this campaign were extremely gratifying. But- 
trick Hall, the chief administration and recitation building, was erected 
wholly from funds provided by the General Education Board and was 
named in honorof Dr. Wallace Buttrick,the first President of the Board. 

The steam plant and laundry do not figure prominently in the 
campus life, but are very essential for the comfort and well being of 
faculty and students. The steam plant was built so as to provide 
capacity for any future growth of the institution, and it now serves 
about thirty-five different buildings. 

One of the most notable results of the campaign of 1929 was the 
erection of the new Carnegie Library. The planning of this was 
largely under the direction of Miss Edna Ruth Hanley, the Librarian, 
and it has proved to be one of the most useful and important factors 
in the life of the College. It is not only very beautiful and attractive, 
but makes it possible for every student to have access to all the books, 
has capacity for all faculty and students to study in the library at 
one time if they so wish, and has ample room for future growth. 

Other results of the campaign, besides increased endowment, are 
the transforming of the old library into the Murphey Candler Build- 
ing for student activities, increased facilities in Main Building for 
social purposes, the landscaping of the entire campus, the building 
of an adequate athletic field with May Day grounds, the moving of 
the South Decatur-Stone Mountain car line to its fourth location with 
reference to the campus, the purchase of some ten acres of additional 
land on both sides of the car line as far south as Green Street, and 
the purchase of very valuable and much needed equipment. 

 46  



Chapter XI 

PERSONNEL CHANGES 



THE Trustees, Officers, and Faculty have had so much to do with 
the development of Agnes Scott that much space might profit- 
ably be devoted to the services of each, but it is necessary that 
at least a few of the changes in recent years be recounted. 

Honorable Charles Murphey Candler, who was a member of the 
first Board of Trustees and who had served continuously, passed away 
on August 7, 1935. For more than forty-six years, he had been an ac- 
tive participant in the life of the institution. He helped to draw the 
original charter, and he assisted in all the charter amendments and 
changes until the time of his death. For a considerable part of this 
time, his father, Capt. Milton A. Candler, was also on the Board and 
an important influence in the life of the College. 

Mr. Candler served for many years as Chairman of the Execu- 
tive Committee and Chairman of the Committee on Buildings and 
Grounds. He was also a member of the Committee on Nominations. 

No member of the Board was more interested in Agnes Scott or 
more willing to give time and thought to the institution, whether in 
the larger affairs or in the simple details of routine administration. 
It is appropriate that the student activities building, one of the most 
loved and most used buildings on the campus, should be named for 
him. Captain Scott Candler, a son, continues on the Board of Trus- 
tees the activity and interest of his father. 

Another serious loss to the College came through the death of Mr. 
J. K. Orr on September 18, 1938. For more than thirty-four years, he 
had been an able and devoted member of the Board of Trustees, and 
for nearly twent^^-four years he had been Chairman of the Board of 
Trustees, and thus the official head of the College. 

During his administration as Chairman, the assets of the College 
increased five-fold. The endowment at the time of his death was 
nine times what it was in 1914, when he assumed the leadership of 
the Board. 

During the first twenty-five years of the history of Agnes Scott, 
there were only 132 graduates. During the twenty-four years of Mr. 

 47  




Miss Nannette Hopkins 



The first teacher employed when the school began. Lady Principal 1889-1897. 
Dean 1897-1938. Through all the years, she had responsibility for student con- 
duct and ideals, setting the standard herself. The ''Mother" of Agnes Scott girls 
through nearly fifty years. 



Orr's administration, there had been 1,751 College graduates whose 
diplomas he had signed. Aside from helping with the material achieve- 
ments, Mr. Orr rendered notable service in promoting right attitudes 
of life, always standing for the finer things. He was generous of his 
own time and money, and he encouraged like generosity in others. 

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees on October 4, 1938, Mr. 
George Winship was unanimously chosen to serve as Chairman of 
the Board. It was Mr. Orr's desire that Mr. Winship should succeed 
him; but, even if this had not been known, the Trustees would have 
doubtless turned to him anyway, for he has the confidence and esteem 
of all and he has already shown his loyalty to the College and his will- 
ingness to serve. He is a worthy successor of a truly great line of 
Chairmen. 

Another serious blow to the College staff was the death of Miss 
Hopkins. As has been previously noted. Miss Hopkins was the first 
teacher employed when the school was contemplated, and she had 
been in continuous service, being in her fiftieth year of connection 
with Agnes Scott at the time of her death. On account of her age and 
impaired health, she had resigned in September, 1938, and was then 
elected Dean Emeritus. 

It is impossible to measure or estimate the influence of Miss Hop- 
kins in the life of the College. She was in closer touch with the stu- 
dents than any other person throughout its history. She loved every 
girl who attended the institution, and she knew personally m.ost of 
them. She served as a real mother for many of them, because they 
confided in her and trusted her judgment to a greater extent than 
that of most other people. 

Miss Hopkins was rarely absent from the College, and until her 
last illness, she did not miss a day from her work for more than nine 
years. 

She was a living exemplification of the ideals which the College 
undertakes to promote, and her loyalty and enthusiasm for the in- 
stitution had a great deal to do with the growth and prosperity which 
it enjoys. 

As the faculty resolutions at the time of her death set forth many 
of her characteristics, they are included here. 

"In the death of Miss Nannette Hopkins, our beloved dean, we, 
her friends and fellow-workers of the faculty, feel unutterably the great 
loss to us and to the college. At the same time, we remember with 
gratitude our association with her; we are daily aware of her continuing 
influence among us, an influence that is gracious and fortifying; we 

 49  



rejoice in the rare quality of her spirit and in the rich completeness of 
her life. 

"Miss Hopkins' long association with this college is the moving 
record of mortal life putting on immortality through the identifica- 
tion of personal hopes and satisfactions with the large impersonal aims 
and achievements of a great cause. The college was Miss Hopkins' 
very life; it was the channel of her creative energy; it nourished her 
spirit with joy and disciplined it to fortitude; it deepened and en- 
riched the experience of maturing life; it was her being's heart and 
home. She gave herself to the college, and she took its high ideals 
and its far-reaching purposes for her own. 

"To have given fifty years of service to the institution is in itself 
notable, but to have made that service complete and singular is her 
enduring distinction. Those fifty years were years of daring, phe- 
nomenal growth, covering as they did the whole history of Agnes 
Scott from its beginning as a grammar school through its develop- 
ment into one of the few standard colleges for women in the South. 
The place of Miss Hopkins in this development was significant. 

"Farseeing and dedicated, she made unmeasured contributions to 
the growth of the college. She was the closest and most valued fellow- 
worker of the only two presidents that the institution has had. Hav- 
ing come in 1889 to the newly founded Decatur Female Seminary as 
one of its two teachers, she was in 1897 made lady principal of the 
Agnes Scott Institute; in 1906 she became dean of Agnes Scott Col- 
lege and in 1927 was elected to membership on its Board of Trustees. 
In her administrative capacity, she was, during all these years, a 
leader of steadfast vision, of sound judgment, and of selfless devotion 
to duty. To both Dr. Gaines, the founder and first president of 
Agnes Scott, and to Dr. McCain, his successor, she gave counsel and 
courage when perplexing problems  academic, financial, social  be- 
set the rapidly growing college. 

"Nor did its growth outdistance her own. She had a remarkable 
capacity for adjustment to changing times and new conditions. A 
woman who had taken minute personal supervision of the sheltered 
lives of girls within school walls in 1897 might well have found it im- 
possible to adapt herself to the social freedom and self-government 
of students today. Keeping an intimate sense of the Agnes Scott 
family, Miss Hopkins could yet rejoice that her family had become 
sufficiently adult to govern itself. For generation after generation of 
students she blended the past and the present, preserving tradition 
that enriched the life on the campus and yet welcoming innovation 

 50  



that stimulated it. And so the college at every stage of its develop- 
ment during the past fifty years has been inseparable from this wo- 
man who loved it. 

"To remember Miss Hopkins is to realize deeply the power of 
personality  the mysterious power that, like poetry, is 'undefinable 
and unmistakable'. The atmosphere of gentle living that prevails on 
our campus has been, we feel, largely created by Miss Hopkins her- 
self, by 'her way' of presiding over life in the college community with 
consideration, with grace, and with dignity. Widely diverse people 
felt her inescapable quality. Visitors to the campus were charmed by 
her gracious hospitality. Timid freshmen recorded in their themes 
her magical way of making them feel their own individuality when 
first they entered her office. Seniors at their Investiture service cher- 
ished her unspoken blessing. Distant alumnae were stirred by her 
clear, familiar voice over the radio, feeling that hers was indeed the 
authentic voice of their alma mater. We, her fellow-workers, un- 
consciously associated with her the permanent and impregnable val- 
ues in human living. What she was, daily and hourly, spoke more 
eloquently than what she did or said. 

"She had a gift for making the individual feel that his personality 
and his problems and joys were important to her. Always she seemed 
to consider people as separate and distinct persons, to each of whom 
it was a pleasure to give her complete and unhurried attention. How 
warmly we remember her interest in each of us! Her sympathetic 
understanding often blessed our lives and yet blesses them. 

"Her strength was inner peace. Hers was a serenity that commu- 
nicated itself to all who came near her. The flurried committee chair- 
man, the overbusy instructor, the deeply troubled student or teacher 
felt her tranquilizing power. Often we sought her presence merely 
for the quietness that it imparted to us. And her peace of spirit 
evoked trust. We could rely on it. There was granite back of it. 
Its source was independent of human beings: abundant, secret, re- 
mote. Its source was God. 

"Her life was 'hid with Christ in God'. In this truth lay her sim- 
ple, persuasive power. Here is gathered the wisdom of her long life; 
here, the compassion that made her a refuge for troubled souls, the 
humility that gave her grace, the courage that sustained her. This 
was her spirit's deep repose. This was the invisible sun within her, 
in whose clear light she lived and in whose radiance she died." 

Other changes of significance and of special interest to the Alum- 
nae and close friends of the College concern the retirement of several 
others who have been very active in the institution. Three of these are 
full professors: Miss Louise McKinney, who served forty-six years; 

 51  



Miss Lillian S. Smith, thirty-three years; Dr. Mary F. Sweet, 
thirty-one years. 

Miss McKinney came to Agnes Scott Institute in 1891 and was 
the head of the English department. She taught a larger proportion 
of the students who have attended Agnes Scott than any other mem- 
ber of the faculty and has been greatly beloved throughout her career. 

Miss Lillian S. Smith was the first woman with a Ph.D. degree 
who came into the service of the College, and for thirty-three years 
she was at the head of the Latin department. During most of that 
time, she served also as head of the Greek department. She was very 
active in committee work and quite influential in maintaining the 
high standards of the institution. 

Dr. Sweet served as College Physician and head of the Department 
of Hygiene for thirty-one years, and had a remarkably successful ad- 
ministration not only in diagnosing and treating the physical needs of 
the students, but in giving them a fine, sane attitude toward life and 
toward personal relations. 

Among the officers retiring at this period, after loyal and efficient 
service, are Miss Emma E. Miller, Matron for twenty-seven years; 
Mrs. Jennie D. Finnell, Housekeeper for twenty years; Mrs. Lena 
Davies, Housekeeper for seventeen years; and Mr. E. R. Rivers, 
Engineer for twenty-six years. 

When Miss Hopkins resigned as Dean, the Trustees decided to 
establish two offices instead of one. They provided for a Dean of the 
Faculty, and Professor S. G. Stukes was elected to fill this position. 
He came to Agnes Scott in 1914 and has been the head of the depart- 
ment of Philosophy and Education and at the same time is Registrar 
of the College and Secretary of the Faculty. His ability as a teacher 
and administrator, his loyalty to the College, and his high ideals make 
it easy for him to have the full cooperation of the entire campus com- 
munity. He has been invaluable in assisting the President of the 
College. 

The Trustees also created the position Dean of Students, and for 
this position Miss Carrie Scandrett was chosen. She was a very 
effective student leader when she was in college, being President of 
the Student Government Association in her senior year; and on her 
graduation in 1924, she was brought back to the College for work in 
the office of Miss Hopkins. After years of work together, Miss Hop- 
kins felt that Miss Scandrett would be the very best one to succeed 
her, and no one would wish for a higher recommendation than that. 

Other experienced members of the administrative staff who have 
helped to make the operation of the College smooth and successful 

 52  



are Mr. R. B. Cunningham, Business Manager, who came to Agnes 
Scott July 1, 1911, and Mr. J. C. Tart, Treasurer, who came July 1, 
1914. The executive work of the College has always been marked by 
unusual cooperation and personal loyalty and interest. 

Agnes Scott still adheres to the old-fashioned plan of having the 
courses of study and personal adjustments in academic work handled 
by Faculty Committees, believing that the close touch of faculty and 
students is helpful. The Chairmen of the more important committee? 
have been particularly stimulating in the life of the students; namely, 
Professor R. B. Holt for the Electives Committee; Professor Lucile 
Alexander for the Admission Committee; and Professor Philip David- 
son for the Committee on Advanced Standing. The faculty members 
of these and other committees have also rendered valuable service. 

Through the years, Agnes Scott has been greatly blessed with 
Trustees who have been willing to give time and thought and personal 
attention to the work and problems of the institution; and many of 
them have been liberal contributors to its financial support. It is 
impossible to give details as to services rendered, but the following 
leaders in various activities of life have been very helpful : Col. George 
W. Scott, Dr. F. H. Gaines, Dr. E. H. Barnett, Dr. G. B. Strickler, 
Mr. C. M. Candler, Mr. B. S. Crane, Dr. J. G. Patton, Dr. Theron 
H. Rice, Mr. Milton A. Candler, Mr. G. B. Scott, Mr. S. M. Inman, 
Dr. A. B. Curry, Dr. R. Cecil, Mr. T. V. Porter, Dr. C. P. Bridewell, 
Mr. W. P. Inman, Dr. W. S. Kendrick, ^Ir. J. K. Orr, Dr. A. W. Cal- 
houn, Mr. John J. Eagan, Dr. W. L. Lingle, Mr. L. C. Mandeville, 
Dr. D. H. Ogden, Dr. K. G. Matheson, Dr. H. K. Walker, Mr. J. T. 
Lupton, Dr. J. P. McCallie, Mr. W. C Vereen, Mr. L. M. Hooper, 
Dr. J. S. Lyons, Mr. F. M. Inman, Mrs. S. M. Inman, Mrs. C. E. 
Harman, Miss Mary Wallace Kirk, Dr. J. G. Venable, Mr. W. S. 
Lindamood, Mr. G. W. Mountcastle, Mr. George E. King, Dr. D. P. 
McGeachy, Dr. R. O. Flinn, Dr. B. R. Lacy, Jr., Mr. H. T. Mcintosh, 
Dr. J. R. McCain, Mr. J.J. Scott, Mr. W. A. Bellingrath, Dr. W. R. 
Dobyns, Dr. Neal L. Anderson, Mrs. Harold B. Wey, Capt. Scott 
Candler, Mr. P. T. Shanks, Dr. E. D. Brownlee, Dr. J. W. Jackson, 
Mr. C. T. Paxon, Mr. J. Bulow Campbell, Dr. J. R. Cunningham, 
Miss Nannette Hopkins, Dr. D. A. Dunseith, Mrs. D. B. Donaldson, 
Mrs. J. S. Guy, Mr. John McMillan, Mrs. B. R. Adams, Mr. W. J. 
Rushton, Mr. George Winship, Miss Llewellyn Wilburn, Dr. Warner 
DuBose, Mr. F. M. Holt, Mrs. J. F. Durrett, Mr. John A. Sibley, 
Mr. T. Guy W^oolford, Dr. J. A. McClure, Mrs. Francis Dwyer, Mrs. 
George C. Walters, Miss Daisy Frances Smith, 73 in all, during the 
50 years of the institution's life. 

 53  




Mr. George Winship 



Fifth Chairman of the Board of Trustees, beginning October 4, 1938. Active 
for many years in the work of Agnes Scott, he is a worthy successor of a very re- 
markable group of Chairmen. 



Chapter XII 

AGNES SCOTT'S PROGRESS 




GNES Scott officers and faculty and alumnae have had the 
privilege of rendering extensive service in educational and 
religious activities in recent years. For more than a quarter 
of a century, the College has been represented on the important com- 
missions and committees of the Southern Association of Colleges and 
Secondary Schools. For ten years it has held the Chairmanship in 
this Association of the committee which scrutinizes the reports and 
qualifications of all member institutions of collegiate or university 
rank, whether large or small. For three years, the College has held 
the Chairmanship of the Committee on Standards for this Association. 

Agnes Scott was one of the organizers of the Southern University 
Conference, which promises much in the way of better standards for 
the South, and its officers rank high in the leadership of the Confer- 
ence. One of them is now President of the organization. 

Agnes Scott is represented in the Senate of the United Chapters 
of Phi Beta Kappa, and represented on some of the most important 
committees of that organization. 

The College has been active in the Association of American Col- 
leges (having more than 500 universities and colleges in its member- 
ship), and its officers have held the Vice-Presidency twice and the 
Presidency once of that organization. Agnes Scott has also been rep- 
resented in the important work of the American Council on Education. 

Agnes Scott officers have been in great demand for inspecting 
other institutions of higher learning in the South, both for the South- 
ern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the United 
Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa and other similar groups. 

The 6,500 students who have been enrolled at the College have 
been drawn from all states of the Union, the District of Columbia, 
and twenty-three foreign countries. The great majority of the stu- 
dents are from the southeastern states, but they are well distributed 
among these. The attendance from some of the nearby southern 
states would include the following: Alabama, 841; South Carolina, 

 55  



765; Tennessee, 743; Florida, 695; North Carolina, 672; Virginia, 568; 
Mississippi, 516. 

Agnes Scott graduates have been successful in more than sixty 
of the leading occupations, and are found all over the United States 
and in many foreign countries, but their influence has been particu- 
larly significant in the South. It is impossible to secure accurate sta- 
tistics about the numbers of alumnae who have been engaged in spe- 
cific occupations, but the following estimate will give some general 
indication of the principal activities which have appealed to Agnes 
Acott alumnae. More than 4,000 have married and established 
homes of their own. Approximately two-thirds of the graduates 
marry within ten years after leaving college. There has been a re- 
markably small per cent of divorces or broken homes, and the per- 
centage as to the number of children in the homes is rather large 
when compared with those of other college women. Many of those 
who have married have had vocational experience before they went 
into homes of their own, and some of them have continued after 
marriage. 

About 2,350 alumnae have gone into educational work. Most of 
these have been teachers, but some of them have been continuing 
graduate and research studies and others have been librarians. 

The third largest group have been attracted by social service in 
some of its various forms, including Y. W. C. A. employment. Red 
Cross positions, service with various governmental agencies in the 
humanitarian field. These number about 930. 

Approximately 700 have chosen business careers, including secre- 
tarial work, office management, advertising, personnel service, mer- 
chandising, insurance, and several other similar activities. 

Approximately 300 have undertaken religious work of various 
types, including foreign missionaries in all the fields of the Presby- 
terian church in the United States and in most of the stations of those 
fields, including also foreign missionaries for several other denomi- 
nations. This group would also include church secretaries, home mis- 
sion workers in mountain mission fields, and other self-sacrificing po- 
sitions. 

Professional careers have claimed a smaller number  about 100, 
including physicians, lawyers, journalists, authors, technicians, and 
several other callings. 

Agnes Scott alumnae have been very active and efificient in the 
volunteer, non-profit services df the church and of the various com- 
munities in which they live. The Executive Secretary of \\'oman's 
Work in the Southern Presbyterian church is a graduate; and many 

 56  



members of the various church boards and committees, as well as 
leaders in local auxiliaries and Christian activities, received their 
training at Agnes Scott. In club work, civic life, social service agen- 
cies, and the like, representatives of the College have rendered cheer- 
ful and effective service throughout the country. 

The faculty and officers of Agnes Scott number more than eighty 
men and women of unusual training and personal qualifications, re- 
vealing always a remarkable loyalty to the institution and for the 
ideals which it represents. They have received their academic train- 
ing in more than forty-five first-class colleges and universities, and 
represent a variety of experience and training which helps to give a 
cosmopolitan spirit to the campus. 

Members of the faculty have recently received grants for re- 
search or further study from the Guggenheim Foundation, Rosenwald 
Fund, Rockefeller Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, Carnegie Peace 
Foundation, Columbia University, University of Chicago, Yale, Har- 
vard, Wisconsin, Michigan, Johns Hopkins, and many other insti- 
tutions. 

Some of the members have had positions of unusual prominence 
or responsibility in connection with the Association of American Col- 
leges, United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa, Southern University Con- 
ference, Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, 
American Council on Education, American Association of University 
Women, Association of Georgia Colleges, besides almost all of the 
learned societies or departmental associations in both southern and 
national fields. They have also been in demand for summer teaching 
in leading institutions. 

The Trustees of the College are much more interested in measur- 
ing the progress of the College through its intellectual and spiritual 
values, but it is easier to demonstrate growth in material assets, such 
as buildings, grounds, endowment, and other such matters as may be 
statistically measured. In order to indicate growth in these details, 
some charts are presented. The feature of these that has impressed 
most the educational and business authorities who have had occasion 
to investigate the College is the progress that has been made during 
the last ten years of the so-called "depression". Agnes Scott is one 
of the comparatively few institutions in the South that has gone 
steadily forward during this decade. 



57  



Agnes Scott's Progress 

Chart I 
TOTAL ASSETS 



$3, 476, 000 



$2, 234, 000 



$719, 000 



$488, 000 



$5, OCO 



1889 



$149, COO 



1899 



1909 



1919 



1929 



1939 



 58  



Ag?ies ScotVs Progress 

Chart II 
ENDOWMENT 



$1, 637, 000 



1889 



$24, 000 



1899 



$43, 000 



1909 




1919 



1929 



1939 



 59 



Agnes Scott's Progress 

Chart III 
BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, EQUIPMENT 



$1, 690, 000 



$943, 000 



$551,000 



$245, 000 



$110, 000 



1889 



1899 



1909 



1919 



1929 



1939 



 60 



Agnes Scott's Progress 

Chart IV 
CAMPUS ACREAGE 



33 



21 



12 



42 



1889 



1899 



1909 



1919 



1929 



1939 



 61  



Agnes Scott's Progress 

Chart V 
GRADUATES BY DECADES 



894^ 



738 



246 



73 



29 



1890- 


1900- 


1910- 


1920- 


1930 


1899 


1909 


1919 


1929 


1939 



*Included in this number are the 92 Seniors of the class of 1939. 
 62  



Chapter XIII 
o 

SEMIXENTENNIAL PLANS 




S early as 1935, the Board of Trustees began to make plans 
for the celebration of Agnes Scott's semi-centennial. A strong 
committee was appointed to arrange for the details of the cele- 
bration. This Committee consists of Dean S. G. Stukes, Chairman, 
Mr. George Winship, Mrs. Samuel M. Inman, Mr. J. J. Scott, Miss 
Louise McKinney, Miss Llewellyn Wilburn, Professor Philip David- 
son, Dean Carrie Scandrett, Mrs. D. B. Donaldson, Mrs. Crawford 
F. Barnett, Mrs. Sam Inman Cooper, Mrs. Murdcck Equen, Miss 
Emma May Laney, Miss Annie May Christie, and Mrs. J. F. Dur- 
rett. 

It was early decided that the Semi-Centennial should feature the 
lives of Mrs. Agnes Scott and Colonel George W. Scott. A collection 
of articles owned or used by them is being made; and many interest- 
ing items have been donated or loaned to the College for the occasion. 

The Committee has been very active and effective in working out 
the program. Instead of centering all efforts on a single day or even 
a single week, it has seemed best that various aspects of the College 
life be featured at different seasons of the year. 

At Commencement 1939, it is planned to have a homecoming of 
alumnae that will be the largest and most representative in the his- 
tory of the institution. There will be many class gatherings and group 
reunions. The speaker for the alumnae luncheon on Saturday, June 
3, will be Miss Mary Lamar Knight, who has had such a colorful ex- 
perience in Journalism and who will be interesting to all. The Com- 
mencement sermon will be preached by the husband of an alumna, 
Dean E. C. Colwell, of the University of Chicago. The address on 
Commencement day will be by President PLmeritus Mary Emma 
WooUey of Mount Holyoke College, one of the great figures of this 
country in the history of education for women. 

Other occasions during the session 1939-1940 on which semi- 
centennial emphasis will be placed will be the Alumnae Week-End 
in the autumn, the Thanksgiving period, the Phi Beta Kappa week 

 63  




AGNES SCOT^ 



The College has forty-one buildings, 
including cottages, and approximately 




)LLEGE 1939 



forty acres of land, with a valuation of 
$1,700,000 for the plant. 



in January, Founder's Day on February 22, May Day exercises, and 
the Commencement program for 1940. 

The special Semi-Centennial Committee and the Board of Trus- 
tees feel that the keynote for the whole celebration should be oppor- 
tunities for the next half century rather than an attempt to summarize 
what has been accomplished to date. 

Among the specific objectives which the Trustees have outlined 
for the semi-centennial program are certain additions and improve- 
ments in the physical plant. Foremost among these is the erection 
of a Fine Arts building particularly for Music. Very little has been 
done for the Fine Arts at Agnes Scott. The studios and practice 
rooms are still largely located on the very inaccessible fourth floor of 
Main Building. The quarters are not adequate and attractive. The 
new building will have practice rooms that are sound proof and air 
conditioned, and the whole building will be convenient and attrac- 
tive in design. 

The main feature of the Fine Arts Building will be the Gaines 
Memorial Chapel in honor of the first President of Agnes Scott, and 
it is expected that it will be subject to transformation so as to make 
it usable for an auditorium. It is expected that the chapel will seat 
as many as 1,100 people. In addition, there will be a small audito- 
rium with a capacity of approximately 350. This building will face 
McDonough Street and will be situated just west of Buttrick Hall. 

A second much desired objective is the erection of a new dormi- 
tory, modern and up-to-date in every way, with a capacity of per- 
haps 125 students. It will bear the name of Miss Nannette Hopkins 
and will be a suitable memorial for her. Nothing gave her more con- 
cern than the comfortable and happy living conditions which she al- 
ways desired for her girls. It is thought that very likely the parlors 
of this dormitory will be used for Vesper services of an informal type. 

Adjoining the dormitory, it is hoped that a central dining hall 
may be erected which will be able to accommodate all of the faculty 
and students who live on the campus, and thus will provide more 
efifectively for the social intermingling of the students and for the 
large groups of alumnae who return from time to time. This dining 
room would replace the quarters in Rebekah Scott Hall and in the 
White House; and Gaines Chapel would replace the auditorium in 
Rebekah Scott Hall, so that in the latter building there would be 
possible much more comfortable quarters for social purposes. 

A third objective which is earnestly sought is the erection of a 
new and up-to-date Science Hall which will provide classrooms and 
laboratories of a quality comparable with the library, Buttrick Hall, 

 66  



and other educational buildings. The present Lowry Science Hall has 
been long outgrown and would provide adequate quarters perhaps for 
a single one of the departments. 

Another semi-centennial objective is the establishing of a Depart- 
ment of the Home. Dr. Gaines proposed this to the Board of Trus- 
tees as early as 1921. It has been repeatedly approved by the Board, 
but finances have not yet permitted its operation. The purpose is to 
bring together from various other departments information and in- 
fluences which will be of help in training young women in all aspects 
of the making of a home. There will be added, also, numerous other 
courses or emphases which would provide Home Economics, House- 
hold Decoration, budgeting, child care, and many other phases of 
training which are not now offered by the College. In order to estab- 
lish this department, it would be necessary to have a fairly inexpen- 
sive building and substantial endowment. 

Other objectives for the semi-centennial include adding at least 
$500,000 to the endowment of the College, building better faculty 
quarters, providing a new infirmary, improving the present dormi- 
tories, building gateways for the drives, and landscaping the entire 
campus. 

If all of these improvements can be made, Agnes Scott will be 
one of the best equipped and most attractive colleges for women in 
the South. 



 67 







DEVELOPI 

At present the plans outlined above are approxi- 
mately two-thirds completed. In the Semi-Centennial 
program, the next building is likely to be the Presser 
Music Building on the right side of the drawing. It is 




WCOI/IiEfiBDBe 



T PLANS 



earnestly hoped that the Dormitory-Dining Room Hall 
and the New Science Hall, shown on the left side, may 
soon follow. Other items will be developed as rapidly as 
money may be available. 



Chapter XIV 



UNIVERSITY CENTER DEVELOPMENT 



FROM its earliest days, Agnes Scott has had the ideal of being a 
small college for women with a carefully selected student body 
and faculty and a limited curriculum, thoroughly administered 
and taught. It was many years after the institution started before 
it could attain the college grade. It has never had any ambition to 
develop into a university or to give graduate or professional training. 

At the same time, the College authorities have realized for many 
years that Atlanta and Georgia and the South do not have many of 
the facilities in educational work that should be provided. Some in- 
stitutions or universities ought to provide better training in adult edu- 
cation. The Fine Arts ought to be taught both from the standpoint 
of appreciation and practical application. Graduate work of a high 
order is sorely needed. Business Administration and training for gov- 
ernmental service should have a place in the South. The demands for 
professional training for social workers are reasonable and should be 
speedily met. Better training for Medicine, Law, Dentistry, and oth- 
er professions should be provided. 

The fact that Agnes Scott itself does not intend to provide these 
facilities does not relieve the institution of some responsibility to its 
constituency and to the people of the South in seeing that steps are 
taken to meet the needs. As early as 1929, Agnes Scott ofiticers and 
Trustees began to agitate for a University Center program which 
would bring together into a cooperative group the various institu- 
tions throughout Georgia which were undertaking to provide in 
some measure the needed educational services. 

Through the joint efforts of Emory University and Agnes Scott, 
the Beck Foundation, an Atlanta philanthropic organization, pro- 
vided money for a thorough survey of the whole situation. Distin- 
guished educators from various parts of the United States partici- 
pated, and the conclusion was reached that Atlanta is a natural center 
for a great university development, and that the various units of the 
University of Georgia System, together with private and denomi- 
national institutions in Georgia, ought to be able to furnish the nu- 

 70  



cleus for all of the educational work that might be needed. It was 
realized that a great deal of duplication and overlapping must be 
avoided and that new financial resources and new educational strength 
in faculty and equipment must be found. 

After negotiations that continued through several years, Agnes 
Scott College, Columbia Theological Seminary, Emory University, 
Georgia School of Technology, High Museum of Art, and the Uni- 
versity of Georgia signed agreements for cooperation, for a joint effort 
to procure financial resources, and for a concerted program of pro- 
viding the most needed of the educational services for the South. 

In making these arrangements, each institution agreed to con- 
tinue as an entirely distinct and separate entity, with its own re- 
sources, board of control, and educational programs as heretofore. 
The word "cooperate" describes the joint effort accurately, rather 
than such terms as "merge" or "coordinate", which are not possible 
and are not desirable. 

The General Education Board of New York made a long and 
thorough study of plans for the cooperative enterprise, and in De- 
cember, 1938, offered S2,500,000 towards a total of $7,500,000 which 
Agnes Scott and Emory hope to raise in the very near future. Since 
Emory will carry the expensive work of graduate and professional 
training, it is to receive $2,000,000 of the grant and Agnes Scott 
$500,000. The institutions must jointly raise between them $5,000,000 
as a supplementary sum in order to win the whole grant from the 
General Education Board. 

Under the cooperative University Center plan, Agnes Scott will 
gain in buildings, grounds, equipment, and endowment. It will lose 
nothing of independence, self-government, or program of work. Its 
students will have richer opportunities for study and development 
through courses that will be open to them. It will be able to use its 
influence and prestige in helping to secure for the South many of the 
educational services for which it feels a sense of responsibility and 
which it does not wish itself to offer. 

As it was dedicated to God in its earliest days, and has continued 
to be through all its years, so for the future His will must be the ul- 
timate guide in ever}^ step of advancement, and the promotion of 
His Kingdom the chief end of all. 

In entering upon its second half-century of service, Agnes .Scott 
hopes to have the interest, support, and encouragement not only from 
its own 6,500 alumnae and students, but also from the friends of edu- 
cation for women throughout the South and the nation. 



71