SOUVENIR
WILBER.FOR.CE
UNIVERSITY
TALBERT
Mtlbrrfora Hnferattg
Bishop D. A. Payne Pur¬
chased Wilberforce Univer¬
sity, March 10, 1863. Associ¬
ating with himself Rev. J.
A. Shorter and Prof. J. G.
Mitchell. (j§ ifj) Hj <j&
Bishop D. A. Payne •
Prof. J. G. Mitchell
Rev. James A. Shorter
WILBERFORCE, OHIO
CONTRIBUTORS TO THE WORK
Mrs. Mariah
Shorter
$2,000.00
Armory
Chief Justice
S. P. Chase
$10,000.00
WlLBERFORCE UNIVERSITY
By Talbert
A RETROSPECT
1806.
LONG, broad stretches of wooded hill and vale
through which wind the crooked trails of
the scarce vanished red man, the cold ashes
of whose camp-fires are found on the banks of
swiftly rushing streams.
Here and there a clearing whose rude log cabin
marks the coming of the vanguard of Christian
civilization. But no church spires are pointing
heavenward, nor clear voiced bell calling children
to their books.
1856.
Ohio valleys smile with the abundance of golden
harvests. Homesteads joyous hail each other over fertile field and
emerald meads. The Shawnee's trail is lost in the highways that, like
broad, white ribbons bind together farm and town. Christian hope
gleams from manifold spires and Christian thought is vocal in countless
schools. - .
In the hearts of some of God's grateful ones burn the alter-fires of
loving service, and their souls are sick and weary with the misery and
anguish of their dark skinned brothers upon whose necks rests the yoke
of despotic servitude ; and cruel race prejudice bars free negroes from
nearly every advanced school in the Northland. In September, 1853, this
fact is brought before the Cincinnati Conference at its meeting in Hills-
boro, Ohio. Consideration leads to action, and in October, 1856, Wil-
berforce University is solemnly dedicated by Dr. Edward Thompson,
President of Ohio Wesleyan University, and its doors thrown open to
the youth of the world.
1906.
Beautiful were the environments of the new school. Nature in
generous mood contributed of her loveliest to charm the eye and sense.
Wooded height, gentle valley, romantic cliff and melodious stream
tnade an ideal mosaic in which to place, as the crowning gem, this
noble Institution of Learning. Rev. M. P. Gaddis, jr. and Mr. J.
Parker were the first instructors in the school. In 1857 it came under
the Presidency of Dr. Richard S. Rust, one of the ablest and most
philanthropic divines in the Cincinnati Conference. Strained economic
conditions, arising from the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion, com¬
pelled the closing of the college in 1862, and the following Spring the
Trustees announced that the grounds must be sold to meet enforced
indebtedness.
It was a terrible blow to the ambition and hope of the Negro Race.
But God " was greater than their fears," and raised up a Deliverer
who was eventually to place the University upon loftier, sunnier heights
of eminence. Relying upon the guidance of his Divine Master, confident
of the support of the Church he so loyally served, Bishop Daniel Alex¬
ander Payne, alone, saved Wilberforee University to the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church and his people. The name of this consecrated
scholar should be written in letters of gold over the college portals. As
its first President under the new regime he entered the work of reorgani¬
zation and upbuilding with ardor and hope, ably assisted by Prof. John G.
Mitchell and Rev. James A. Shorter, who later was to don a Bishop's
gown.
The destruction of the College buildings by fire, in 1865, only incited
to greater effort the energies of the founders and friends of the school,
and in a few years the campus was adorned with a stately, imposing
structure of brick and stone. Bishop Benjamin F. Lee succeeded Presi¬
dent Payne in 1876, and his administration of eight years was charac¬
terized by rare judgment, wide scholarship and enthusiastic interest in
the welfare of the University. He was followed, in 1884, by Professor
Samuel Thomas Mitchell, whose saintly life and intellectual attainments
were of untold blessing to the young people under his charge. His
death in 1901 was deeply deplored and the President's duties passed to
Rev. Dr. Joshua H. Jones, who was eminently qualified by natural
ability and wide culture for the responsible position. In 1908, W. S.
Scarborough was elected President of the University.
Wilberforee University has been true to the pledges made fifty
years ago, and finds golden reward in the honorable and exalted place
it holds in the land to-day.
Its name is a synonym for the highest, the purest, and most ele¬
vated in thought and culture. The dreams of 1856 are glorious realities,
surpassing in magnitude and splendor the fondest hopes of the noble
founders. Wealth has come to its coffers- the culture and intellectuality
of the greatest minds of the age are at its command. Over six thousand
hopeful, earnest young men and women have gone forth from its doors
to spread the influence of a Christian Education. Many occupy high
places of honor and public trust, but, with few exceptions, all express
in noble consecrated living the power and blessing of their Alma Mater
upon mind, soul and character.
JAMES A. SHORTER HALL
MITCHELL HALL
O'NEIL HALL
ARNETT HALL
CARNEGIE LIBRARY
GALLOWAY HALL
OFFICERS OF BATTALION
TYPE WRITING DEPARTMENT
PRINTING DEPARTMENT
DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT
MILLINERY DEPARTMENT
COOKING DEPARTMENT