Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06

service to the State of Georgia
and to the Baptist denomination.
During these years through which
Mercer University has passed there
have been many interesting phases in
It's development
1t was at Penheld, Ga, in 1882. that
the school was made a university and
was opened for young men who de
sired training along theological and
classical lines. For several years the
college was presided over by Rev. 81
NJ. Sanders. He was followed by Rev.
Otis Smith. DR.. j. L. Dagg was the
next president and it was in 1916
that Prof Joseph E Willet graduated
and was Immediately elected to 4
chair which he filled until 1898.
There is one man who stands out
above all others in the history of
Mercer University-Jesse Mercer. 1t
was through his efforts that Mercer
has been able to reach so many
young men in Georgia. He gave
very literally, both in time and
money, to the school, and no more
| fitting name for the university could
! have been found than that of this
noble man.
Notables Who Graduated.
In 1854 Rev n. NJ. Crawford be-
came president. 1t was during these
years that many of GeOrgia's nOta
BILE men for the last half Of the nine %
tenth century were graduated from
Mercer. The faculty in those days
had the following great teachers: Dr..
Tucker, DR.. Williams, Dr. Nell, Pro-
fessor Wise. DR.. Willet, DR.. Hillycr
and DR.. Sanford.
Some of the great men who went
out in these first years of Mercer
were: Richard Malcolm Johnson, J.
Z. Willet, Noah X. Davis, w. l.. Xii
patrick, r, B. Hubbard r. d. NAL
larry. J. G. Ryals, A. T. Spalding, ..
B. Steed, ]. H. Fitzpatrick, Geo. r.
Mccall, w. J. Northen, George HUI
yer, V. T. Sanford. T. G. Lawson, a.
]. Cheney. H. d. Mcdaniel, r. f. Les
ter and A. D. Gambler. This list in
cludes the names of authors, govern
ors. congressman, ministers, teach
ers and other men of affairs who have
been conspicuous in shaping the deS-
tiny of the State and the Nation.
1t was then that the war came, and
the college was suspended for several
years. 1t is interesting to listen "a
men like Col. r. II. Harris, of Cairo
tell how the Mercerians put aside
their collegiate duties and went IL
the front to take their places in the
notable struggle.
When the war was over, the ques-
ton of moving Mercer came up and
in 1871 the college was formally
opened In Macon. Dr. Tucker was
the first president in Macon. The
law school was established in 1873
DIR. A. ]. Battle succeeded DR.. Tuck
er and after serving seventeen years
he was followed by DR.. Nunnally. Dr.
Gambrell was the next president and
after his resignation Prof. Poolock
became chairman, later becoming the
president OF the college and serving
TIL his health failed him. 1t was In
1903 that Prof J. F. Sellers fOunde1
the School Of Pharmacy. DR.. c. l.
Smith was made president of the
University in 1905, and in 1906 DR.. S
Y. Jane son became president
This is merely brief survey d
Mercer University's past. To go into
any detailed history is impracticable
Through all these years Mercer has
been welding a great influence in the
educational and religious life of the
The present plant is well equipped
and is being improved from time T.
time to meet the needs Of the stu
dents. The new Students Hall is
perhaps one of the very best college
dormitores in the State 1t has all
Gated very conveniently TO all the
buildings. The Library has been
built only a few years and IS a very
creditable college library It con
tains about 5000 volumes OF standard
literature and is under the direction
Of Miss Sallie Boone, most capa-
BILE and well trained librarian.
The Y. NJ. c. A. enjoys the use Of
splendid building known as the
Selman Hall This phase of the col
lege life at Mercer is well taken care
Of. The gymna SUM. built by the
alumni is fitted throughout with first
class equipment, and is a valuable as
set to the campus. In this connection
It is fitting to say a word about Mer-
GERS athletics. The college has four
teams, football basketball baseball
and track team. These teams are all
open to students and the varsity
teams. together with the class teams,
afford splendid opportunity for physi-
cal development.
The new chair of Physical Culture
which has been added insu.es a safe
and sane position in regard to ath-
letiCs for the whole student body.
There will be opportunity given 10
every boy in college for participa-