The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-08-04
NEW COLLEGE PRESIDENT.
The Rev. John Henry Harms Chosen
To Succeed DR.. James A. B.
Scherer.

|
was on Friday, at meeting of thu
board Of trustees Of Newberry col.
legc, held in Columbia, elected presi-
dent Of the institution, to fill the va
cancy caused by the resignation of
President James A. B. Scherer.
The Rev. Mr.. Harms, who is a ma
tive OF Savannah, and about 80 years
OF age, has risen rapidly to promin-
ence in the Lutheran ministry.
He is we'll known to many Luth-
Grams in this and other Southern
States from which Newberry college
draws its patronage, and he is held
in high esteem.
He married Miss Sara Wheeler, of
Newbcrry.
The following report Of the meet
ing of the board Of trustees in Co.
umbia is taken from the Columbia
State Of Saturday:
After thorough canvass Of the
| educational situation at Newberry
college the board Of trustees yester-
day unanimously elected as presi-
dent Rev. John Henry Harms, now
OF Harrisburg. Pa. While the posi-
ton offered Mr.. Harms has not yet
been officially accepted it is under
stood that he will assume charge of
the institution and Il telegram was
sent him yesterday telling of the ac-
tion of the board.
AS stated, the action Of the board
was not taken until the situation had
been gone into deeply. Several
strong men were mentioned for the
position made vacant by the resigna-
ton OF DR.. j. a. B. Schcrer, but after
some consultation the decision an
nounccd was reached by the board
The meeting of the board was call
ed because of the resignation of DR..
Scherer, who will shortly take the
presidency Of Throop institute, Cali
fornia. DR.. Schcrcr has be.,n prcsi-
dent OF Newbcrry college since 1904.
l1e was elected president that year
and took charge on April I. Pre-
vlously he was engaged in mission
ary work in Japan for five years.
When elected president at Newberry
he mad been for six years pastor of
st. Andrews church, in Charleston.
lie is 3S years of age, married, and
has two charming children. Hc holds
the following degrees: From Roanoke
college, a. B. and a. NJ. from Penn
sylvania college, Gettysburg, Pm. d.;
from the University of South Caro-
lima, LID.
The New President.
The new president is a native of
Savannah and is about 80 years of
age. He is a graduate of Newberry
college of the class Of 1892 and while
in college showed exceptional bril-
hancy. Afterwards he graduated
from the Theological seminary at
Gettysburg, Pa, and from there was
called to the Lutheran church at
Chambersburg, Pa. From there he
was called to other churches, each
time going higher and his congrega-
ton at Harrisburg is one of the larg-
est in the city. He married a Miss
Wheeler of Ncwbcrry and is we'll
known to a large number of Luther
ans throughout the State.
Newbcrry college is the property
OF the Lutheran synod of South Car
olina and was chartered by the leg
islaturc December 20, 1856, having
developed naturally and vigorously
from the "Classical and Theological
institutc," which had been maintain
ed for many years by the Lutheran
church at Lexington. The prcpara-
tory department was opened in Oc-
tober, 1858; and the college proper
began its work in February, 1850.
Before the outbreak of the war be-
tween the States there were 175 STU
dents in attendance and the prospects
seemed most flattering. But very
large proportion Of students volun-
tcered for service in the Confederate
army, and the institution was greatly
hampcrcd for several years. Occupied
by federal garrison, in the summer
Of 1865, the original building was SER
iously damaged and the school was
removed to Walhalla.
In 1893 the federal government ap-
propriated $4,000 to the college, in
somewhat tardy reparation for the
loss thus experienced.
1t was not until 1877 that the insti-
tufip woo rooronoI =, No,,lo.