E.C.T.C. Observes 40th Anniversary

These articles describe the 40th anniversary celebrations of the opening of the school.These and other articles may be found in the records of the Chancellor's Office, Record Group CH1050, Series 1, Scrapbook File, 1914-1978 in the University Archives.

Citation for these articles are: "ECTC Plans Homecoming," The News and Observer, Raleigh, N.C. October 2, 1949.

"E.C.T.C. Observes 40th Anniversary," The Daily Reflector, Greenville, N.C., October 5, 1949.

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ECTC Plans Homecoming
Annual Event On Oct.8 to Follow 40th Anniversary of College

Greenville, Oct.1-

Final plans for homecoming day for alumni of East Carolina Teachers College, Saturday, Oct. 8, have been announced by Mrs. Ruth Garner, alumni secretary, and Ruth White, assistant dean of women, co-chairmen of the committee in charge of the event.

A large group of alumni from many sections of the State is expected to be present.

An annual celebration, homecoming day this year will follow closely upon the 40th anniversary of the opening of the college to students on Oct. 5, 1909. Exercises of the day will have an added significance, when events of the early history of the college are recalled during the programs scheduled for the celebration.

Chief events announced by the homecoming committee include a meeting of the Alumni Council, a luncheon, a football game between East Carolina and Elon, an outdoor production of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” by the Teacher’s Playhouse, college dramatic club, an “open house’ reception by President and Mrs. John D. Messick, and a dance sponsored by the junior class.

The campus will be gaily decorated for the occasion.Student organizations are cooperating in planning a colorful display.Virgil Clark, Greenville senior, is in charge of arrangements.Merchants of the city will observe the occasion by displays of posters and placards in the windows of their places of business.

Mrs. Dubose Bullard of Wilson, president of the East Carolina Alumni Association, will preside at a meeting of the Alumni Council at 10:30 o’clock in the Austin auditorium.Officers of the association and chapter presidents will hold a business meeting and a planning session for the year’s work.

President Messick will welcome returning alumni at a luncheon in the North Dining Hal at 12:30 o’clock.W.E. Marshall, dean of men, will preside.A program of music will be given by Gladys Reichard and Robert Carter, faculty members of the department of music.James White of Scotland Neck, alumnus and faculty member of the college, will lead those present in the singing of the alma mater.

President and Mrs. Messick have extended an “open invitation” in the evening to alumni, students, staff members, and friends of the college in Greenville.They will entertain in their new home on East Fifth Street, into which they moved during the past summer.

Later in the evening the junior class will sponsor a dance in the Wright building.Gilbert Carroll of Weldon, class president, is in charge of arrangements, and music will be furnished by Bob Lee’s Orchestra.

Members of the committee of staff members of the college who planned the events of homecoming day, in addition to Mrs. Garner and Miss White, are Louise Greer, Elisabeth Hyman, Eunice McGee, Louise Williams, and W.E. Marshall.

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E.C.T.C. Observes 40th Anniversary
Today's Ceremonies Stress Great Past And Greater Future Of Institution;
Alumnus J.H. Waldrop Delivers Chief Address

East Carolina Teacher’s College today marked the fortieth anniversary of the opening of the school to students with ceremonies stressing the great past and the still greater future of the institution. Approximately 1500 students, faculty members, alumni and other guests assembled in the Wright auditorium this morning at 10:00 o’clock for exercises appropriate to the occasion.

East Carolina President John D. Messick presided at the exercises. “We meet together today,” he told the audience, “in honor of those who carried on before us, in memory of those who worked diligently for us in the past, and in appreciation of the many opportunities they have afforded us.”

Dr. J.Y. Joyner, state superintendent of public instruction from 1902-1919 and first chairman of the Board of Trustees to the Institution, was among those present for the occasion. The beloved and venerable educator, who was one of the most active leaders in the early progress of the college and who has been through the years a constant friend of East Carolina, was given an ovation by the audience when he was introduced by Dr. Messick.

“No estimate,” said Dr. Joyner, “can be placed on the value of this great institution to the people of North Carolina.” He spoke of his pride and pleasure in being one of the small group of men who worked for the establishment of the East Carolina Teacher’s Training School and who were instrumental in its development.

“May this institution go on through the centuries,” he said, “benefiting the minds and souls of men.” Obviously touched by emotion, he concluded, “I shall carry in my heart the memory of this child at whose birth I was present.”

Miss Kate W. Lewis, of Greenville, a member of the original faculty of the college, was presented by Dr. Messick to the audience. Mrs. L.B. Fleming, of Greenville, a member of the first graduating class in 1911; former Board members F.C. Harding and R.R. Taylor; and Arthur B. Corey, a member of the present Board, all of Greenville, were also present on the stage this morning and were introduced to those present.

J. Herbert Waldrop, alumnus of East Carolina who is now vice president of the Guaranty Bank and Trust Co., of Greenville, delivered the chief address of the morning. After tracing events leading up to the establishment of the institution, Waldrop recalled what it was like when as a boy of fifteen he paid $56 in fees and enrolled as a student in 1910. He paid tribute to Dr. Robert H. Wright, first president of the institution.

“Years after I was a student here,” said Waldrop, “I was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees. I am proud,” he stated, “that during my term I was given the privilege of voting for Dr. John D. Messick as the new president of East Carolina Teachers College.”

Service to the people of North Carolina, Dr. Messick told the audience, has always been the aim of the college. The chief purpose of the school, he added, was originally and has remained primarily the training of teachers for the public schools of the state.

New conditions and new demands, he explained, have caused the school to expand its services and to add to its teacher-training curriculum various other types of service. The college offers, he said, a liberal arts degree and preliminary courses for dental, medical, engineering, legal and other students.

A movement is now on foot, he stated, to change the name of the college so as to indicate more nearly the variety of its services. A committee of alumni and members of the Board of Trustees is working on the proposed change.

Dr, Messick outlined also the growth in the physical plant of the college.

During the morning a program of music was given by the 60-piece East Carolina Teachers College band under the direction of Herbert L. Carter and by the College Choir directed by Dr. Karl V. Gilbert.