BAXTER SEMINARY
Presidents
-BAXTER TENNESSEE-
Dr. Samuel E. Ryan
Dr. Frank S. Ditto
Dr. Patton R. Broyles
Dr. Harry L. Upperman
Dr. Paul A. Barker
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Dr. Samuel E. Ryan
He was the first President of Baxter Seminary and served from 1910 until 1914. Ivy Hall was begun and completed during his time there. "Much praise and credit is due Rev. S. E. Ryan, who for three long and strenuous years as President of the institution has labored patiently in erecting the excellent building that now adorns the beautiful campus, which consists of about 13 acres of beautifully wooded land just on the edge of town. "This large building is thoroughly modern in design and construction and is equipped with all the appointments that go to make a strictly up-to-date school plant. It is of poured concrete, hollow construction laid off in V shaped joints, which insures a building that will be warm and dry and practically fire proof. It is steam heated throughout; it has a 96 foot font and a depth of 75 ft., and is two full stories in height with eight foot basement. The basement contains the dining department; on the ground floor are located the living rooms for the president and his family, the seminary office, a large chapel, a reception room, a library room, and four classrooms; the entire upper story is given to dormitory purposes and will take care of 52 young ladies. "The primary rooms will especially be a lasting memorial to their builder Dr. Ryan as they are the best equipped and most convenient to be found. Special emphasis is being placed on normal training, the management purposing to make the primary department a school of methods for the practical training of teachers there being a great demand in this section for equipped instructors. The Seminary building is burdened with some debt at present and the school should have the hearty co-operation and support of each and every one interested in the cause of education. "The school has adopted a course of study that is exceptionally high for a school of its kind, being patterned after the best. Taken all in all this school is on a par with the very best anywhere. "The management has adopted a policy that means strictly business in its discipline and thoroughness of work so that all can be assured that their children will be under careful and efficient supervision if attending Baxter Seminary." - The Putnam County Herald, October 1, 1914 * He resigned from the seminary after four years to become President of the Arkansas Conference College at Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
A Post Card Time Capsule ** A post card that Dr. Ryan sent to an acquaintance in 1910 is reproduced below. The post card has a photo of Vanderbilt University's Kissam Hall on its front. His message is also below. As of June 2020, the post card is over 110 years old! It carries a one cent green Ben Franklin stamp on the address side. The post card is hand cancelled from the U. S. Post Office at Baxter, Tennessee on the afternoon of June 22, 1910.
Baxter, June 22, '10 Tenn. This is a Methodist Church South school. The name is too suggestive of mis- chief. I hope all goes well. Yours, S. E. Ryan * The Putnam County Herald, October 1, 1914 - Transcribed by A. J. Lambert at www.ajlambert.com/cemetery/schl_bsin.pdf |
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