History & Timeline
Sen. Preston Plumb
1877 - The Reverend Robert Overstreet, chairman of the Education Committee of the Kansas Synod, proposed locating a Presbyterian College in Emporia. United States Senator Preston Plumb of Emporia was a firm supporter. 1882 Presbyterian Synod of Kansas, meeting in Ottawa, accepted the Emporia offer of $35,000 and 38 acres of land for the establishment of a Synodical college in Emporia. Other locations considered included Salina, Peabody, and Marion. 1882-1891 - Reverend J.F. Hendy, 1st President 1883 -1892 -- November first - classes started in the upstairs of the Addis building occupying the North West corner of 6th and Commercial in downtown Emporia. Fifteen students were enrolled.
Stuart Hall
1886 The College of Emporia moved to its permanent location and classes began in the uncompleted Stuart Hall. The building was named after Mrs. R.V. Stuart of New York who gave $10,000 to begin its construction. 1889 The college held its first commencement in Austin Chapel of Stuart Hall. William J. Austin, a wealthy Emporian, funded the chapel, paid for the planting of trees and the laying out of the walks around the campus. 1892 - 1898 John Hewett became the second president of the college. He was a graduate of Princeton and developed a liberal arts curriculum. He also enacted strict rules for the students which included; no dancing, card playing or smoking. Daily chapel attendance was also required. 1899 President Hewett died. That year three students were granted degrees in absentia , having left for the Spanish-American War. John Calvin Miller ( 1899 -1905) became third president of the college.
Anderson Memorial
1902 Anderson Memorial Library was dedicated. It was the first Carnegie Library built West of the Mississippi and the first on a college campus. 1905 - 1907 Reverend William Dennis Ward became 4th president. Early 1900 Alla Rah annual was first published. 1907- 1917 Henry Coe Culbertson became 5th president. He was described as a human dynamo. His decade at the college marked great progress but ended in scandal. He was strongly supported by William Allen White, who served on the board of trustees of the college. 1917 - 1918 Charles Scott (Acting). 1918 Rev. James Bean (Acting). 1918 Dr. Conrad Vandervelde (acting). 1910 The Athena Society was organized to recognize scholarship. An Athena Cup was kept in the president''s office with the name of the top-ranking senior in each graduating class. 1911 Kansas Power and Light Company ran a street car to C of E from Emporia. Harry Tang of Canton, China became the first foreign graduate.
Frank Mason
1912 The Mason family of Emporia gave funds to build a gymnasium to honor their son, Frank, who was an alumni of the college. 1914 Lewis Hall of Science was financed and built.
Daniel Hirschler was hired as head of the music department, ushering in a Golden Age of music for the college. 1914 William Allen White, famous editor of the Emporia Gazette, joined the Board of Trustees. He lectured on journalism and was a firm and generous supporter of the school.
Dean Hirschler
1919 The basement and chapel of the new administration building were completed. Dean Hirschler designed the $30,000 pipe organ for the new Chapel. 1921 The Million Movement was established by the board of trustees. Its goal was to raise funds to complete the administration building, eliminate the debt, and raise an endowment fund. By June of 1924 the million dollars had been subscribed and the new building was ready for classes. The building was complete except for the facade.
Stuart Hall
1915 Stuart Hall burned December 2. President Culbertson, trying to save some records, was nearly killed when the bell crashed to the ground.
A sign or banner appeared over the ruins the following date declaring C of E Fights, which became the rallying cry of the college. 1917 President Culbertson resigned after being accused of mismanagement and unchristian behavior. William A. White felt the accusations silly. The College lost a dynamic leader and perhaps its most energetic president ever.
Harold Grant
1923 Harold Grant became head football coach after Gwinn Henry left. Grant continued to build a strong tradition of winning football teams. Harold was a graduate and former football star at the college. 1924 Dunlap Hall, named from Howard Dunlap, was completed. Mr. Dunlap was an Emporian and long-time supporter of the school. 1925 Cosmopolitan Club was established for those interested in missions and for the foreign students sent to C of E from missions run by alumni.
Frederick Lewis
1918 - 1929 Frederick Lewis became 5th president of the college, beginning a period of much-needed stability for the school. Gwinn Henry became football coach and the cemetery named for him was dedicated. He later went on to coach at the University of Missouri. 1928 - 1929 Danield C. Schaffner (acting)
Kenyon Hall
1928 Kenyon Hall was completed and named with the addition of a handsome fascade, paid for by the estate of J.S. Kenyon, a wealthy Emporian. 1934 C of E chorus went to the Chicago Worlds Fair. 1940 Memorial Alter in the center of the semi-circle drive was dedicated. 1929-1938 John Bailey Kelly, 6th president. 1938-1940 Dudley Doolittle, 7th president. 1940-1941 Reverend Leslie G. Whitcome, 8th president
Dean Hirschler
1941 - Trustees considered closing the school as enrollment fell due to World War II. 1941 - 1942 F. B. Ross (acting) (1942-1947) Dean Daniel Hirschler accepted the presidency to keep the school open. Under his dynamic leadership, the budget was balanced, salaries raised, and the endowment firmed. After the war, enrollment rapidly increased to 400-plus. 1944 William Allen White died. His funeral was held in Kenyon Hall and President Hirschler played a requiem for his friend on the chapel organ. 1948 Phillipp H. Margler (acting) 1948-1952 Paul McCleave became president. 1951 College attained accreditation by North Central after a significant lapse. 1952 F.B. Ross (acting). 1952-1960 Luther Sharp became president. He was very successful in raising funds to build additional structures. Among them are Bovaird Stadium, Maybee Science Hall, and Vollmer Dormatory.
Dr. Joseph Laughli
Dr. Joseph Laughli
1961 Financial Crises occured. 1961-1968 Joseph Laughlin accepted the 14th presidency.
Enrollment began to build utilizing recruitment in the eastern U.S. Enrollment peaked at 1000-plus during this period. The Broadview Hotel was purchased and named the Downtown Center. It was utilized for student housing.
Wayne McConnel
1953, 54, 55 Coach Wayne McConnel had three undefeated football seasons at the college and received recognition as Little All-American Coach of the year 1955.
Bill Schnebel
1956 Bill Schnebel was hired as head football coach. Chosen as District 10, NAIA Coach of the year 1962. Undefeated seasons in 62 and 63. Schnebel was named Little All-American coach of the year 1960. Dr. Robert McAdee (acting). 1960-1961 Francis Walters became 12th president. 1961 Reverend Richard Hanna (acting).
Toppers
1962 Roger Johnson was hired as head of the music department. The Toppers were formed as a select vocal group available to sing popular and light classical selections. The group preformed throughout the state and on tour the annual chorale tour. 1964 The toppers singing group attended the New York Worlds Fair.
1965 The DeVore Campus Center and Student Union were opened.
1966-67 Season, Cof E athletes won Kansas Conference Championships in football, basketball and baseball .
Laughlin-Lewis Library
1967 Laughlin-Lewis Library was dedicated. The Anderson Memorial Library became an art center. 1970 The Music Department presented the World Premier of The Beatitudes at the Emporia Civic Auditorium. 1971 The Lee Memorial Chapel was dedicated. 1973 Falling enrollment and financial instability caused the College of Emporia to close after the fall semester had ended. 1969-1970 Dr. Barkev Kibarian Ph. D, became the 15th president. 1970-1973 Ronald Ebberts became the 16th and last president.
