Student Organizations - Protropian Society Minute Book
Handwritten record book from 1910 through 1915 of the Protropian Society, a men's debate group at Piedmont College that discussed topics such as women's sufferage, changes to immigration law, the proper place of athletics in colleges, and whether whether the death penalty should be abolished.
More About This Collection
Creator
Protropian Literary Society
Date of Original
1910/1915
Subject
Student activities -- Georgia -- Demorest
Literature -- Societies, etc.
Piedmont College -- Societies, etc.
Location
United States, Georgia, Habersham County, Demorest, 34.5651, -83.54517
Medium
minute books
manuscripts (documents)
Type
Text
Description
In the early days of the College, debate societies were an important learning and social activity for students. The Protropian Society was one of two debate groups for men that lasted for decades. The curious name was derived from Greek: "pro" or forward; and "tropos" or turning. The Society adopted the meaning as "Press Forward." The group's colors were "old gold and blue." Its motto was "Knowledge is Power."
This handwritten record book of the Protropian Society was used to record minutes of meetings and membership lists from December 1910 to September 1915. Many meetings included a debate, recitations, addresses, and occasionally, mock trials. The topic and the names of those advancing the points of view were recorded, and the resolution of the group for the positive or negative duly noted.
Debate topics were often timely, such as women's sufferage and changes to immigration law. Topics were also idealistic: for instance, "there is more pleasure in pursuit than in possession." Other topics included questions about the proper place of athletics in colleges and whether whether the death penalty should be abolished.
The earliest mention of the Protropian Debating Society is in the first year of the College's existence, 1897. By 1904, the Piedmont College Catalogue related that among the prime features of the College's year was the annual debate between the men's debating societies at commencement.
By 1922, the group had began to call itself the Protropian Literary Society, without losing its emphasis on debate. Frequently in succeeding years, it was just called the Protropian Society or The Protropians. In addition to debate and discussion, the Protropians from time to time sponsored bands, choruses, and campus-wide social activities.
By the 1950s, the Protropian Society seems to have lost its debate aspect and become a social/service club for men. The last group picture in the Yonahian yearbook of the Protropian Society was in 1975, and the last mention of the name in the Yonahian was in 1978.
Language
eng
Holding Institution
Piedmont College. Library
Rights
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