Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-24
PROFESSOR CHARLES L. COOKE.


be intention OF giving the people Of the
vicinity better facilities for educating
their children. Though the patronage was
large, Mr.. Bradley gave Up the school at
the end OF one year. lie was succeeded
by Rev. George Pearcy, who conducted
the school successfully for several years
but who decided to give 1t up with a
view Of going as a missionary 10 Onlna.
Through Mr.. Pearcy's opportunities,
Mr. Charles l.. Cooke. then an Instructor
IN Richmond College, was induced 10 as
sumo charge of the school. This he did,
with the understanding that he Was 10
have full control Of the boarding depart
ment as well as Of the department Of in
struction. At first the school was small,
but Il speedily grew until in little while
il was overlooking.
GIRLS SCHOOL ONLY.
Professor Cooke soon became convinced
that it was not best to continue the in
sutatiou as mixed school, and in the
fan Of ISL II was changed 10 a school
for the education Of girls only. IL has
been conducted on that schedule ever
since with results as honorable 10 Proies-
sor Cooke as they have been gratifying
TO Its friends.
or course, the equipments Of the school
were utterly inadequate at FIRST. IN $50
an event occurred which gave great
cheer TO Professor Cooke and the friends
Of this young educational enterprise. Mr.
John Hollns, OF Lynchburg, Va, at the
SUGGESTION OF his great-nearted wife
made proposition 10 the stockholders
Of the school that II they would relinquish
their stock for the benefit OF the school
he would give an amount equal 10 the
value Of the entire stock donated by
others. This proposition was accepted.
and Mr. Rollins gave sum OF 500 10
the institution. This amount he subse-
quently added 20 until it aggregated the
sum OF $1,000
with this timely aid Professor Cooke
was enabled 10 remove the old, un-
slightly. and inconvenient buildings and
substitute others more capaclous and bet
ter adapted To his purposes. The name Of
the school was changed from BOtetourt
springs 10 that OF Hollins Institute, and
the institution a once stepped upon a
higher plane and Vet forth upon nobler
career. 1t has had its discouragements
and drawbacks. but its name has ever
been fair as the morning and II has never
paused In It's splendid course. even under
the most adverse trials. IL went along
with its work during the terrible years CT
the war, and was well patronized.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
But turn TO the distinguished man
under whose leadership all these results
have been achieved. Charles l.. Cooke Is
a native OF King William county, Va,
and was born In $50. After getting the
best training that the neighborhO0d
schools would give him, young Cooke
entered the Virginia Baptist Seminary,
afterwards Richmond College. at the early
age OF 10. He was chosen by his fellow
students as superintendent Of the grounds
a high distinction for one SO young. Il
ought to be borne in mind that at that
time the seminary was run on the system
Of manual labor. This appointment Of
Mr.. Cooke was quite a compliment. At is
he went 10 Columbian College. and after
two years OF close study graduated. Du-
ring his stay in Washington he was con-
verted and united with the Baptists
After winning his honors at the Column
bian, he was chosen as tutor In the Viz
glnia Seminary. where he remained until
1916. when he was called 10 Hollins, where
he has been ever since
Such is q BRIEF outline Of DR.. Cookies
(for he IS a Doctor, Richmond College
having honored him with LII. D., several
years ago) busy and eventlul lie. THIS
sketch would be utterly inadequate Il
something was not added concerning his
character and methods as a teacher.
The Doctor Is a man OF lofty ideals
He has a conviction that woman Is capa-
BILE Of the higaest attachments, and ha
has sought To give TO the southern girls
the best training at the smallest possible
expense. Gradually he has gathered
faculty OF the best material around him,
and the course Of instruction mas been
made most thorough. The quality OF toe
work done at Rollins IS well attested By
the fact that its graduates have found II
easy TO command pos lions Ia the leading
Institutions IN the South. The institute Is
really a college. ant embraces IN its
course of Instruction advanced teaching In
English language and literature. the
ancient Languages. modern languages.
mathematics, natural science. history. and
mental and moral science. There aye
fourteen teachers in the institute.
a PLEASING FEATURE.
A pleasing feature OF DR.. Cookies aa-
ministraiiye ability Is that be governs
the school without seeming 10 have any
government Everything runs with such
smoothness and harmony that one al
most imasines that IL runs itself The
students yield an ODE 1ience that is born
OF reverence and affection. and the at
mosphere Of the institution is toned with
moral yigcr. The commanding presence
Of Professor Cooke is the SUFFICIENT guar
antee that nothing unseemly or hurt
ful shall enter the precincts OF the school
The discipline OF Hollns Is acknowl-
edged 10 be well-nigh above criticism.
Professor Cooke has moulded his Co
operative forces 70 bis hand. Blessed
with an unusually gifted family. he has
trained quite a number o. them 10 re-
der most efficient service in the admins
tration OF the school His eldest son,
Mr.. Charles IL. Cooke. has Tor years