Page 28 - 1926 February - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 191

poverty of the South, it was decided that all the synods should
unite and build one university f o r the whole territory.

On May 24, 1874, the directors selected Stewart College i n
Clarksville as the location f o r the new university. The synod
of Nashville turned all the grounds, buildings, endowments,
equipment and franchise over to the new institution known as
Southwestern Presbyterian University: The city of Clarksville
pledged approximately fifty thousand dollars upon the condition
that there should be at all times ten tuition scholarships given to
the graduates of the Clarksville schools. The faculty of Stewart
College was retained, nineteen acres of additional ground were
purchased and the work of the institution proceeded without
break.

I n 1879 the Rev. J. N . Waddel became first Chancellor of
the university. Shortly before, an addition had been made to the
university property in the form of Stewart building, named in
honor of Professor Stewart who had died in the previous year.

In 1888 Dr. Waddel retired from the chancellorship on account

of advancing age. The office was then held i n succession by

Drs. C. C. Hers-

man, J. M . Rawl-

ings. George Sum-

mey, N . M . Woods,

and W m . Dinwid-

die. I n 1914 the

executive title was

changed to presi-

dent, and Dr. John

R. Dobyns was the

first one elected to

fill the office. U p -

on his withdrawal

in Tan.. 1917, Dr.

George Lang, then R o b b 'H a l 1 Southwestern

professor of history and economics, was temporarily appointed
acting head. A t the close of that session Dr. Chas. E. Diehl, pres-
ent head of the institution, was elected president.

During the administration of Chancellor Summey, the endow-
ment was largely increased; and Waddel Hall, a memorial of the