0^ SHAWN WrevatMCi^ The Be^innin^ The concept for a college came to the people of Summerland during a visit from Reverend A.J. Saunders, the District Super• intendent of Missions for the B.C. Baptist Convention. The Reverend discovered that the small town of Summerland had the Baptist men and women he v/as looking for. Reverend Saunders v;as especially impressed by three men, James, William, and Thomas Ritchie. The Ritchie brothers assured the Reverend free land and a donation of $20,000. Reverend Saunders then presented his request for a college in the Okanagan to the Home Mission Board in Vancouver, where it was readily accepted, provided a "sustination" fund could be raised to help cover the costs of construction. Reverend Saunders raised #30,000 altogether, $20,000 from the Ritchie brothers, and Si10,000 from the community. With enough money raised, construction began on the first building of the Okanagan College. EVERETT W. SAWYER, «.e.t. Oppiccnai PRINCIPAU J. P. MclNTYRB, M.D. CHAIRMAN MISS KATHERYN C. MCLEOD T. N. MitCMie. B. A. - LADY PRINCIPAU ••cretarv REV. S. evertonVm-Au. JAMES RITCHIE, ESQR. VIOK RRINCIPAt^ OFFICE OF THE TREASURER Wtsl ^nmmttlmh, p. Jun^ 15/15, ,191. Municipality of Sumtiorland , P.J.Nixon CoATector. De^r Sir:- lilX yon kim'Ty have the watej- ami lijUt turneu off .from all the Collese bullninss until fiu'ther notice,and oblije, Yourf3 tr'ily , Under Way In the Fall of I9O6 a committee made up of Summerland Baptists began organizing cldsses for the year. Though construction had not yet begun, the committee was eager to proceed with the classes. In the Fall classes began under the instruction of Reverend G. Campbell, and were held in the Empire Hall. This hall was donated as a temporary post-secondary learning facility by J.M. Robinson. Reverend Estabrooks easily enrolled twenty-six students in the make-shift college, and educational instruction began soon after. Meanwhile the college committee had selected a site for the future college. It was to be located on Giant's Head mountain, overlooking the town of West Summerland. In the Spring of 1907, constru.ction began on Ritchie Hall, and was completed by the Pall Morton Hall By 1909, the college had been under way for almost tv/o years, and its popularity had increased to the point that hopefull students had to be turned away by the college committee for lack of housing. It was during this time that the college principal. Dr. Sawyer, came up with the idea of a second building. The idea was readily accepted by the college committee, but a funding problem delayed the construction of the building. The problem was quickly solved by an out• pouring of donations from comjiunity and students who were pleased with the idea of another college building. So with money in hand, the committee arranged construction to begin in early 1910, and the new'buildings location was to be with in two hundred yards of Ritchie Hall for convenience to the * students and faculty, fly late I9IO, the new building was completed, and wiis awaiting the arrival of the forty or so ladies which it v/ould house. The new residence was named Morton Hall, and was a welcome addition to the college institution. The Gollepce Gymnasium i)'or the college students, gymnastics and physical education were stressed to be an essential part of learning; however, with• out the proper equipment and facilities, the progi^am was down- gi-aaed to only a oasic exercise clast. The college committee saw this as a major problem, and rallied the community for donations and support to build a college gym. In I9IO the gym was ouilt at the foot of College Hill on land donated by MT. Thomas Jale, and v/ds used to serve both the college and the coiafiiunity. Tnrough the years, the gym v/as put to use as a packing house, ooy scout hall', a dance hall, and a recreation center. THE EARLY YEARS The old Okanagan College gym is now the home of the Summerland Youth Centre thanks to a major refurbish• ing project under taken by Youth Centre officials. In past years the gym has served as a fruit storage site and at one time it was heated with peach pits. The floor is still considered to be one of the finest. OKANAGAN COLLEGE GYMNASIUM The Teachers The teaching staff at the college were clearly a gifted group. They came from far and near to bless the college v/ith their wisdom of the world, and knov/ledge of the arts. Their valuable contributions made the college a highly regarded learning institution. Reverend H.G. Campbell Reverend Campbell was one of xhe first teachers to aquire a job at the college when it first opened. In 1906 he began instructing classes in Empire Hall, and he helped organize the first classes at the college. In 1907, he resigned as a paster in favour of pursuing his teaching career. In the college he taught history and modern language. Reverend Campbell received his Piasters at McMaster University. Dr. Everett W. Sawyer Dr. Sawyer viras the college's first principal. He had graduated from both Acadia, and Harvard Universities, and he later became an associate professor back at Acadia University. Dr. Sawyer was present at the dedication of the college in 1907, and soon after, began teaching. In addition to his work as principal, he also taught Latin, Greek, Bible Studies, math, and English. Dr. Sawyer v/as principal till the suramer of 1914, when poor health and eyesight forcedi-to resign his job. He still stayed active vvith the college for he v/as leader of the "Forward Movement", vv'hich v/as dedicated to raising funds for the college. When the college closed in 1915, he returned East. Professor G.S« Denton Professor Denton had a Masters in Math, and was in charg:;- of the Math department. After three years of service, he had to resign owing to ill health. After a time of rest, he returned to the college and taught part-time in addition to his work with the Peachland church. 7 Miss Eunice Haines Miss Haines was a piano instructer in charge of the Music department. She was an honor graduate from Acadia Seminary. Miss Catherine Davison Miss Davison was a voice and music instructer, and she conducted choral classes in both Summerland and Peachland. Professor Aaron J. Perry Professor Perry received his Masters in latin from Acadia University, and a Masters in English from Yale. Prom here, he left to take post- graduate studies at the Universitj^ of Chicago. A year later he accepted a position as a Professor of English at the University of Manitoba. Okanagan College Students 1911-1912 Ed Armstrong Jimmy Weir ; Arnold Gayton Harold English Pete Menzies College Courses The college curriculum was considered extensive and varied, ; and most appealing to the students who v/ere fortunate enough to graduate from secondary school. For the first year student he or she had a choice of the major courses such as English T - Math 1, latin 1, Greek 1, French 1, German 1, and Bible Studies.; • A students choice for first year minors v/ere: Physics 1, History; Ii, Biology 1, and Chemistry 1. With a students first year completed',! he or she could nov/ concentrate on his or her field of speciality. Second year courses offered by the college were the same as the ' first, with Philosophy added. For second year minors the student' could choose from the first year minors plus Political Economy and Geology. Courses in the Arts included music, choral and singing, and drawing expression. u S W a o a >> 1 O m o ft s C • S 03 c o be ft O c C .2 .2 .2 2 fco "a c "y '-^ c o <c; 'C ^ 5^ to to 0) s C I 2 a) S ttl tn S o E J' o s a; bo o 0) O "C O H The LyceiAin During the Christmas season of 1906, the college committee began sending out copies of the Lyceum. The booklet was designed by the committee to be an informative guide to the activities of the students az the college. The booklet came out each month and was under the editorship of Mr. Prank Kayward. The Lyceum gave detailed information on upcoming activities and college development. The Lyceum was also a great source of entertainment for it included student poems and short-stories which were highly regarded by the community. The Lyceum also gave detailed reports of the activities at the Y.M.G.A. and the Y.W.C.A. r ^ Graduation After .several months of intense study and training, the students approach the time of graduation. 3y m.id June the students prepare for their commencement exercises and are finishing the last of their school v/ork. The exercises lasted between four to five days of enthusiastic recitals and ceremonies At the end of these, the students then participated in the formal graduation ceremonies. In 1914, the college committee shortened the exercises to two days, yet they still retained their high quality and spirit. To their enjoyment, graduated students found that they had made a name for themselves at several universities such as University of Alberta, and McMaster University, 1 The j'inal Days In June of 1915, the college closed its doors for the final time. During its last years, the college had had rough financial difficulties because of poor economic conditions in B.G. at the time.