The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-08-18
WAKE FORESTS GREAT COLLEGE
Growth of the Institution and History of Its Presi-
dents. Equipment. Courses of Study.
What the Future Means.
(staff Correspondent News and Observer

Wake Forest, N. c., August 1.-THE
Baptists of North Carolina held their
first State Convention in 1880 and two
years later adopted resolution on the
establishment of a Baptist Literary In
stitution in the State. About a month
after the adoption of this resolution a
farm of 615 acres in 1.-THE Forest" of
Wake county was purchased. The fol-
lowing year, 1888, the Legislature grant
ed a charter to the wake Forest Insti-
tute," which began it's first session Feb
ruary. 1884. In 1888 the charter was
amended by changing the name OF
Wake Forest Institute to Wake For.
est College," The beloved Rev. Samuel
Wait, d. d., was the first and only
president of wake Forest Institute.
When Wake Forest College was organ
lied DR.. Wait became it's first presi-
dent and continued as such until he re-
signed in 1916. Too much credit can
not be given DR.. Wait for his able ad
ministration in the struggles and vicis-
STUDIES through which the college pass
ed during the first year of it's existence.
His successors have been the follow
ing: Rev. William Hooper, d. d., in
1916; Rev. John b. White, d. D., in
1S49; Prof w. H. owen, president pro
tenn, in 1852; Rev. w. M. Wingate, D..
d.. in 1854: Rev T. III. Pritchard, D. D.,
in 1879; Rev. c. F.. Taylor, d. d., in
1883.
COLLEGE GROWTH.
ENDOWMENT 1860 the Endow-
ment Fund of the College was $4,000.
At the close of the war, in 1865. only
81 700 of the invested fund remained
Nevertheless, the work of the College
went on, despite the difficulties, for sew
enteen years. By the end of 1883 the
endowment had reached 100000, and
the College began new era of activ-
ity. Now it's invested fund exceeds
5000, 900. Most notable of the contribu-
tors to this fund was the late j. A.
Bostwiclx of New York, among whose
gifts was one of $4,000. Within the
last six months the College has receiv-
ed bequest from Mrs. Virginia Is.
Swepson amounting to about $4,000.
Also bequest from Mr.. Richard Cat
ling. of Hartford county, of $4,000, max
ing the endowment aggregate about
$225 900.
EQUIPMENT.-Prior to 1873 a single
large building had been available for
all College purposes,-for dormitories,
chapel. library, and lecture rooms. In
that year, by the beneficence of Col. j.
M. Heck, and Mr.. ]. G. Williams, of
Raleigh. N. c., the Heck and Will
lams Building was added which pro-
vided Library and Readingroom, two
.Lecture-rooms, and two Society Halls.
The "Wingate Memorial Building,
erected in 1880, supplied four additional
Lecture rooms, a Chapel for morning
services, and large Audience Hall. The
LEA Laboratory" erected in 1888, pro-
.vided a Chemical Lecture-rOom and
Laboratory; it also affords accommoda-
tions for the School of Biology. The
Gymnasium is new building just
with ample space for all
kinds of gymnastics. 1t is equipped
with bathrooms and ball cage. In this
building also the Young Mems Chris
tan Association has it's reception room.
The central portion Of the ''Old Build
ing was renovated last Summer at a
cost Of $1,000, and now contains as
handsome administration and lee
ture rooms as are to be found
any where in the United States
The wings of this building con-
tanning sleeping apartments for 80 stu
dents are in process of renovation as set
forth elsewhere i'm this article.
Wake Forest enjoys the credit of hav.
ing taken the lead among the insttu-
tons Of this State in making liberal pro-
vision for training in science. The first
large building erected for exclusively
scientific purposes stands on the Wake
Forest College grounds.
THE CENTRAL BUILDING.-The
Old Dormitory of hallowed memory.
constituting prior to 1878 the College in
toto with chapel, library and lecture
rooms, and the local habtation of many
generations of students. has undergone
complete Transformation within the
last two years. The judicious expendi
ture of several thousand dollars has
wrought a wondrous change. The CEN
trail portion of the building has been
separated from the two wings by brick
walls and is devoted to recitation rooms
and administration offices. Along all
the walls is seven-foot wainscoting,
every panel Of which is highly polish
ed in the natural colors of the wood; the
ceilings are stamped metal throughout,
embellished in blue and gilt: the broad
staircases and corridors lead to lecture
rooms in which are taught History.
English, Applied Mathematics. the BIZ
BILE, and the Ancient and Modern Lam
guages. In the upper story is also to be
found a room to be used as working
library for the departments of Latin,
Greek and the Modern Languages.
Recognizing the Importance of pro-
viding the very best accommodations
for students who reside Sin college"
the trustees have wisely appropriated
a sum of money amply sufficient to
renovate all the rooms and halls on the
wings. Fine plate glass windows with
caps corresponding to the large windows
of the central part, new wardrobe ar
rangements, new panel-doors, and ce
ment -hearths, have been furnished.
first class flooring has been laid in all
the rooms and halls; all the wood work
has been repainted; the walls have
been repaired and whitewashed; and
the staircases are provided with a
strong, solid balustrade; with all these
improvements. the old dormitories are
unquestiOnably the most desirable
rooms in town and in cleanliness and
attractiveness cannot be surpassed by
any system of living rooms.
In order to make the college rooms
equal in comfort to the best home
rooms, each room is provided with