Bulletin of COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Decatur, Georgia *S| Architect's Drawing of New Library ENCOURAGING PROGRESS OF CAMPAIGN GENEROUS NEW GIFT SPURS SEMINARY TO EXPANSION OF PLANS CONSTRUCTION OF LIBRARY BEGUN LARGE ENROLLMENT IN PROSPECT VOL. XLIV AUGUST, 1951 No. 2 RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED Entered as second-class matter, May 9, 1928, at the post office at Decatur, Ga., under the Act of August 24, 1912. PUBLISHED QUARTERLY AT DECATUR, GEORGIA ENCOURAGING PROGRESS OF CAMPAIGN For the past ten months Columbia Theological Seminary has been en- gaged in a quiet campaign to secure funds for the erection of a new library and for the enlargement of its endowment. In recognition of both needs, anonymous friends in Atlanta had promised a gift of $100,000 to the institution upon the condition that $250,000 be secured from other sources by October 1, 1951. Since it was estimated that the sum of $250,000 would provide for the cost of the library, a further condition was made that at least $100,000 of the total secured must be used as an addition to the endowment of the seminary. This undertaking was heartily endorsed by each of the five supporting synods, and commended to the support of the churches. Mr. H. Lane Young of Atlanta, Ga., was appointed as chairman of the General Cam- paign Committee and has rendered splendid service in that capacity. Par- ticularly well organized efforts have been conducted in South Carolina under the leadership of Mr. W. Herbert Smith of Clover and in Florida under that of Mr. M. R. Smith of Orlando. Many other individuals in each of the synods have also contributed much time and strength to make the campaign a success. No professional assistance has been employed, and the expense of the work has been kept at a minimum. The general response to the seminary's appeal has been gratifying, and a widespread interest has been manifested by congregations as well as by individual friends, with a larger number of gifts being received than in any previous campaign of this institution. As of July 20, 1951, a total of approximately $240,000 had been raised. Thus the seminary will be assured of success in attaining its original goal if the remaining $10,000 can be secured by October 1. GIFT FOR ENLARGEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION BUILDING SPURS BOARD TO EXPANSION OF PLANS During the period since the campaign was originally envisioned, the Korean War has further unsettled world conditions, and building costs have advanced steadily. By early this spring it had become evident that a building which would be adequate to meet the seminary's needs would cost $350,000 instead of the $250,000 which had originally been esti- mated. Hence it was evident that an enlarged effort would be necessary. In the light of this unforeseen situation, the friends who had initi- ated the campaign by their generous offer have agreed to go a "second mile" with the institution. Upon condition that the constituency of the seminary provide an additional $125,000 by January 1, 1953 in order to complete payment for the new library and to add $25,000 more to endow- ment, they have promised a further gift of $100,000 which is to be used in enlarging the administration building. When this building was constructed, its southern end was left incom- plete because of the expectation that a tower would be erected there, and the library connected as an additional wing. Since the projected library will now constitute a separate building, however, the present plan calls for the completion of the southern end of Campbell Hall in such a way as to give it essentially the same proportions as its northern end. The attractive plans which have been drawn for it envision the ultimate enlarge- ment of the seminary's dining hall to seat 160 persons, and the provision of space for an additional classroom, a ladies parlor, three faculty offices, a guest room, five dormitory rooms for students and much needed storage rooms. Thus it will not only add to the beauty of the campus, but will provide needed facilities for the enlarged student body. At its meeting in May, the Board of Directors of the seminary ex- pressed hearty appreciation for this splendid gift, and set for itself the task of securing the necessary funds in order to claim it. The offer means that if the seminary can secure $375,000 by January 1, 1953, a total of $200,000 in addition will be received. Thus, in addition to what has already been received, the institution must raise at least $135,000 within the time allotted, with $10,000 of that amount coming before October 1, 1951. Contributions are being sought both from individuals and from churches. The time limits which have been set will make it possible for congregations to raise funds through the next Every Member Canvass if that method is desired. It will also enable individual donors to spread their contributions over two tax years. The Board is making an urgent appeal for all friends of the Seminary to rally to its support and to contribute the amount required for this next forward step in its service to the church. CONSTRUCTION OF LIBRARY BEGUN Because of the urgent need for additional space, and fear that building costs may continue to rise, the Board of Directors decided at its recent meeting that work on the new library should not await completion of the campaign. Hence, in faith that the supporting synods will rise to the occasion and provide the necessary funds, it instructed the administration to go forward with the building immediately. In obedience to its in- structions, the contract has been signed, government regulations have been met, and construction of the building was begun during the month of June. The contractors are assured of all necessary materials, and it is expected that the library will be ready for occupancy well before opening of school in the Fall of 1952. The new building will be modern, beautiful, and adequate in all respects. It is designed to provide for a collection of 100,000 volumes, with reading rooms and study carrels to accommodate the enlarged student body in comfort, as well as offices, seminar rooms, and a room for audio-visual education. The seminary would again remind its friends of the many opportunities for memorials still available in connection with the new building. Dona- tions of $250.00 or more entitle the giver to have a name inscribed on the bronze roll of honor which will be prominently placed in the new building. A carrel can be provided for 3500.00 ; a stack for $1,000.00; a seminar room for $5,000.00; the lobby or the audiovisual classroom for $10,000.00; and the reading room for 525,000.00. An appropriate bronze plate will be provided in connection with each memorial given. Memorial endow- ment funds for various departments of the library are also solicited. LARGE ENROLLMENT IN PROSPECT FOR COMING SESSION The School Year 1951-52 at Columbia Seminary will open on September 18, 1951. New students are expected to register on September 12 and to attend an orientation period covering the days prior to the beginning of class work. Dr. Albert G. Harris, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Macon, Ga., will deliver the first address of the new session. Forty-five students received degrees from Columbia Seminary last May. On July 20, fifty-eight new students had been enrolled for the coming ses- sion. Hence it seems likely that last year's record enrollment of 207 will be exceeded during the fall quarter. The seminary is very hopeful that it will not have to turn away any qualified candidates for the ministry, and every effort will be made to find space for those who apply. Because of crowded conditions, however, the Faculty has decided that, for the present, it cannot admit any new women students for work in its Bible Training Course. It is hoped that at a later date this work can be offered again, but for the present the institution must limit itself to its primary task of training ministers. GROWTH OF STUDENT BODY 200 I- z Ld 100 o z CO '35 '40 '45 '50 YEAR This graph, showing the growth of the seminary's student body from 1935 to 1951, dramatizes the urgent necessity for the new library and for enlargement of Campbell Hall. The seminary's present buildings were expected to provide for only 100 students.