Commoner, 1931

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THE

COMMONER

oA ^Memorial to

William Jennings ^ryan

the Qreat Qommoner

and a History of the Conception, Birth,
and Establishment of the William Jen-
nings 'Bryan University.

^Published by the

FIRST STUDENT "BODY

of the

William Jennings Bryan
University

of

-VAYTOX. TEXXESSEE

-t

COPYRIGHT, 1931

The Staff

AMY CARTRIGHT
Editor

QUEEN TRENTHAM
Associate Editor

GILES RYAN
Associate Editor

ROBERT CRAWFORD
Business Manager

JAMES CALDWELL
Assistant Manager

MRS. BERTHA MORGAN
Circulation Manager

ELOISE PURSER
Photograph Editor

NORA GIDEON
Art Editor

EDWINA WING
Associate

R. C. WILBUR
Associate

o4 SMountain 'View from 'Bryan Hill

1

THE BIRTH

CHE William Jennings Bryan University opened its doors for freshman students on
September 18, 1930, approximately five years after the renowned anti-evolution trial
in Dayton, Tennessee. The inaugural ceremony was held in the courtroom in which
Mr. Bryan assisted in the prosecution of Mr. John T. Scopes.

Many thinking men and women feel that this trial and its attendant widespread publicity
mark the turning point in the effort to check the swelling tide of materialisic and agnostic
philosophy which had made such marked progress toward engulfing the young students in our
educational institutions.

At the conclusion of the trial John T. Scopes, the young teacher charged with violating the
Tennessee State law against the teaching of evolution, was found guilty. The Supreme Court of
Tennessee held that the law was constitutional and that Scopes had been guilty of violating it
as charged in the indictment.

On the Thursday preceding his death, on Sunday, July 25, 1925, Mr. Bryan suggested the
establishment of a school for young men upon one of the suburban hills.

In consequence of his sudden death in Dayton, on the field of the legal battle, his friends fe't
that the movement inaugurated by him should be amplified and that a great co-educational,
non-sectarian, but thoroughly Christian institution should be built as a national memorial to his
life and character.

Nearly a million dollars has been subscribed for this purpose. A most beautiful site of
eighty-four acres on a wooded hill overlooking Dayton has been purchased. The Administration
Building, planned to accommodate 400 students in all departments of college life, is now under
construction.

Dr. George E. Guille, of Athens, Tennessee, for fifteen years Extension Bible Teacher for
the Moody Bible Institute, was selected as the first president of the institution. Mr. Malcolm
Lockhart, formerly connected in a promotional way with several outstanding Southern colleges,
was selected as vice-president. All members of the faculty have at least two academic degrees
or their equivalent, thus insuring the highest educational and scholastic standards.

<Z<L2~-=^*\

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EDI CATION

^P^^^sP

The first student body of the
William Jennings ^ryan
University reverently dedi-
cates this volume to

rrThe Qreat Qommoner"

in memory of whom Tlryan

University has been

founded.

<£<"V<<^

Vi>i>s-7->3

The Qreat Commoner

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THE COMMONER, 1931

1

THE COMMONER, 1931

F. E. Robinson, Chairman
Dr. Howard A. Kelly .
Harry E. Paisley . . .
T. Edward Ross . . .
Wallace C. Hagcard .
Virgil Hollincsworth .
Grace Bryan Hargreaves
W. L. Kimball ....
Dr. A. M. Morgan . .

F. E. Robinson
Chairman of the Board

Board of Trustees

. . Dayton, Term. Dr. H. A. Ironside Chicago, 111.

. Baltimore, Md. Hugh R. Monro .... Montclair, N. J.

Philade'phia, Pa. H. H. Frasa Dayton, Tenn.

Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer . . Dallas, Texas

. Dayton, Tenn. Dr. Marion McH. Hull . . . Atlanta, Ga.

. . Augusta, Ga. Joe F. Benson Dayton, Tenn.

. Los Angeles, Cal. E. M. Williamson .... Dayton, Tenn.

. Bradenton, Fla. W. A. Brickey .... Spring City, Tenn.

. Dayton, Tenn. Euclid Waterhouse . . . Dayton, Tenn.

THE COMMONER, 1931

Dr. George E. Guille

Southwestern University ; D.D., Boh Jones College.

President of the University, Professor of Bible, and nation-
ally known Bible Lecturer. For fifteen years connected
with the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Co-founder of
the Evangelical Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas.

J

THE COMMONER, 1931

Faculty

Malcolm M. Lockhart

A.B., University of Georgia.

lice-President of the University and Director of the Endowment

Campaign.

Frank W. Spindler

A.B., Hampden-Sydney College; A.M., University of Virginia.
Dean of the University and Professor of Latin

THE COMMONER, 1931

Faculty

A. P. BjERREGAARD

B.S., College of City of New York; B.S. and M.S., Agricultural and Mechanical
College of New Mexico.

Professor of Chemistry and Bible

C. A. MONTOYA

A.B. and M.A., Mercer University.
Professor of Romance Languages

THE COMMONER, 1931

H^HBBn^MHHHMBna

Faculty
Dwight W. Ryther, Jr.

B.S.C. and M.A., University of Georgia.

Professor of English, History, and Commerce. Coach and Director of

Student Activities

Julia Anna Yancey

B.S., North Carolina College for Women ; Graduate, Student of Peabody Con-
servatory of Music and of the University of Virginia.

Instructor in Art and Alusic

THE COMMONER, 1931

THE COMMONER, 1931

ON September iS, 1930, the first class to enter the William Jennings
Bryan University began its march into the unknown mysteries of col-
lege work. It was at two o'clock that several hundred people gathered
at the Rhea County courthouse — a building made famous through the valiant and
successful efforts of William Jennings Bryan to uphold the truths of the Bible
against the theory of evolution. "Wisdom, Human and Divine," was the sub-
ject chosen by Dr. Guille, the president of the University, for his opening address.

The classes started in the old Rhea Central High School building, and al-
though the building is not in the best of condition, it has met the needs for the
first year of work. During the first quarter there were twenty-seven students
enrolled. At the beginning of the second quarter this number had increased to
seventy-four.

The Class of '34 has not had all work and no play. Three plays were given
by the Dramatic Club with most satisfactory results. A fifteen-piece orchestra
has been formed under the expert direction of Airs. C. A. Monto}'a and has
played at many of the University and municipal services. A Halloween car-
nival was given during the Halloween season, and a good time was enjoyed by
all who attended. The hall and two rooms of the building were decorated to
represent a field of shocked corn completely surrounded by a forest in full au-
tumnal color.

Basketball teams were formed for both the men and the women, and several
games were played with — considering the lack of material and facilities — fair
success.

Just prior to the closing of the University two picnics were given to the
graduating classes of the neighboring high schools. It is expected that these
picnics will become an annual event.

Perhaps one of the high spots of the class history is to be found in the mar-
riage of Miss Edwina Wing to Mr. Charles Bailey of Erwin, Tennessee, which
is also the home of the bride. The marriage, taking place on the tenth of Jan-
uary, was not announced until the last week of school.

On June the fourth, after a week of final examinations, the University closed
a very interesting and most successful year. The students in Bryan's first class
are now looking forward to their sophomore year, when they will no longer be
lowly freshmen.

Amy Cartright. Historian.

14

THE COMMONER, 1931

Class of '34

Hazel Allen

DAYTON", TENN".

Elmira Arnold

DAYTON", TEN"N".

Reba Arnold

"Bea"

DAYTON", TENN".

Class Treasurer; Basketball; Bryan Play-
ers; Tennis.

Edwina Wing Bailey

"Eddie"

ERWIN, TENN.

Class Secretary; Bryan Players; Social
Editor.

Catherine Beard

"Catrinka"
SPRING CITY", TENN.

Basketball.

»5

THE COMMONER, 1931

'34

Nina Billingsley

"Lindy"
DAYTON, TENN.

Basketball, Captain; Bryan Players; Ten-
nis.

Elizabeth Byron

"Curly"
DAYTON, TENN.

Bryan Players; Tennis.

Amy Cartright

"Feesh"

DAYTON, TENN.

Class Historian; "Commoner" Editor;
Bryan Players.

Dorothy Caudle

"Dodo"

DAYTON, TENN.

Bryan Players; Basketball.

Dora Clarke

"Dodo"
DAYTON, TENN.

16

THE COMMONER, 1931

Class of "34

Montie Cochran

DAYTON, TENN.

Bryan Players.

Mildred Cooley

"Mil"

WASHINGTON, TENN.

Robert Crawford

"Dooley"

DAYTON, TENN.

Class President; Bryan Players; Basket-
ball; "Commoner" Business Manager;
Tennis ; Orchestra.

Marion Denton

"Tag"
EVENSVILLE, TENN.

Basketball ; Bryan Players.

Audrey Duggar

"Hen"
DAYTON, TENN.

17

THE COMMONER, 1931

;\

Class of "34

La Fleda Duggar

"Pete"

DAYTON, TENN.

Harriett Dunlap

"Tillie"

DAYTON, TENN.

Bryan Players; Basketball; Tennis.

Rose Fisher

DAYTON, TENN.

Basketball.

Mona Flerl

BAKEWELL, TENN.

Tennis.

Beulah Swafford Gentry

DAYTON, TENN.

IS

THE COMMONER, 1931

Class of '34

Nora Gideon

WASHINGTON", TENN".

'Commoner" Art Editor.

J. M. Hughes

DAYTON", TEN'S".

Pauline Kidd

DAYTON, TEN-NT.

Ruth Lacewell

"Lacy

CHATTANOOGA, TEN'N\

Basketball, Alternate Captain; Bryan
Players ; Tennis.

Norman Locke

-Babe"
DAYTON, TENN.

Tennis.

19

THE COMMONER, 1931

Class ©f '34

Sybil Lusk

"Syb"

HARLAN, KY.

Bryan Players; Bryan Quartette.

Betty Matthews

"Bet"

DAYTON, TENN.

Basketball.

Bertha Ansley Morgan

"Lady Morgan"
DAYTON, TENN.

Bryan Players; "Commoner" Circulation
Manager.

Howard Morgan

"Scrappy"
DAYTON, TENN.

Basketball, Captain; Bryan Players; Ten-
nis.

Amanda Pugh

"Blondie"
GRANDVIEW, TENN.

Tennis.

THE COMMONER, 1931

Class of "34

Viola Pugh

"Vi"

GRANDVIEW, TENN.

Bryan Players.

B. S. Purser

"Ben"

DAYTON, TENN.

Basketball; Tennis; B.yan Players.

Eloise Purser

"JVeezie"
DAYTON, TENN.

Basketball ; "Commoner" Photo Editor.

Logan Rector

"Reck"

EVENSVILLE, TENN.

Pearl Reed

"Shorty"
DAY-TON, TENN.

31

THE COMMONER, 1931

Class of '34

Vesta Robinson

DAYTON", TENN".

Orchestra.

Hazel Roddy

DAYTON, TENN".

Madge Shaver

DAYTON, TENN.

Magnolia Shaver

"Mag"

DAYTON", TENN".

Margie Smith

"Smhty"

EVENSVILLE, TENN.

Basketball; Tennis.

THE COMMONER, 1931

Class of '34

Katherine Taylor

P1KEVILLE, TENN.

Basketball.

Viola Thurman

"Vi"

WASHINGTON, TENN.

T

ennis.

Queen Trentham

"Madam Queen"
CARP, TENN.

'Commoner" Associate Editor; Basketball.

George Trout

"Fish"

HA.RRIMAN, TENN.

Nola Watson

SPRING CITY, TENN.

Basketball; "Commoner" Sport Editor.

23

THE COMMONER, 1931

Class of '34

R. C. Wilbur

"Blovy"
DAYTOK, TENN.

Bryan Players; Basketball, Alternate Cap-
tain; "Commoner'' Associate.

Virgil Wilkey

"Rosco"

DAYTON, TENN.

24

THE COMMONER, 1931

Class of '34

Students whose indiridiial pictures are not in "The Qommoner

Dorothy Blackburn" . . . Dayton, Tenn.

Marie Bowmax Dayton, Tenn.

Mrs. Jack Browx .... Dayton, Tenn.
James Caldwell . . . Spring City, Tenn.
Basketball; Bryan Players; Assistant Business

Manager "The Commoner".
Mrs. Pansy T. Collixs . Evensville, Tenn.

Gladys Fixe Dayton, Tenn.

Helex Fugate . . . Rhea Springs, Tenn.
R. L. Gentry Dayton, Tenn.

Mrs. T. C. Kxight .... Dayton, Tenn.

T. C. Kxight Dayton, Tenn.

Muriel Kxight Dayton, Tenn.

James Locke Dayton, Tenn.

Basketball; Bryan Players.

Cecil McCaee Dayton, Tenn.

Leta Miller .... Rhea Springs, Tenn.

Cecil Monday Roddy, Tenn.

Mrs. A. M. Morgax . . . Dayton, Tenn.
Mrs. \V. C. Haggard . . . Davton, Tenn.

Irene Moyers ("Rene"), Spring City,

Una Ray EYensville,

Wayne Smith Roddy,

Thelma Vaughn Dayton,

Eloise Wilkey ("El") . . Evensville,

Bryan Players; Tennis.
Mrs. \V. E. Morgan .... Dayton,

Irene Odom Spring City,

Giles Ryax Dayton,

Ralph Tallent Dayton,

Eloise Walker .... Graysville.

Tenn.
Tenn.
Tenn.
Tenn.
Tenn.

Tenn.
Tenn.
Tenn.
Tenn.
Tenn.

25

THE COMMONER, 1931

Campus Scenes
26

THE COMMONER, 1931

"HOME TIES"

Other Plays: "The Steppinc Mother", "His Majesty the Queen"

The Bryan Players

Reea Arnold, Nina Billingsi.ev, Robert Crawford, James Caldwell, Amy Cartright, Montie
Cochran, Harriett Dunlap, Ruth Lacewell, James Locke, Sybil Lusk, Mrs. Bertha Morgan,
Howard Morgan, Viola Pugh, Ben Purser, R. C. Wilbur, Eloise Wilkey, Edwina Wing;
Properly Managers: Elizabeth Byron, Dorothy Caudle, Marion Denton; Prof. Ryther,

Director.

THE ORCHESTRA

Mrs. C A. Montoya, Violin, Director

Piano: Mrs. F. E. Robinson; Violins: Sara Ewing, C. A. Montoya, Vesta Robinson, Mrs. P. C
Tallent; Cornels: Robert Crawford, A. M. Morcan, B. S. Purser; Bass: Joe Gallagher:
Trombone: Delmar Greene; Clarinet: Harold Stout; Banjo: John Arrowwood; Drums: Will

Manis.

27

THE COMMONER, 1931

Coach Ryther, Caldwell., Denton, Locke
Purser, Capt. Morgan, Crawford, Wilbur

Boys" Basketball Team

It was not the intention of the University authorities that Bryan University should
take part in intercollegiate athletics until somewhat better prepared to do so. The
students, however, were of a different mind and requested time after time that they
be allowed to have a basketball team — a request which was granted.

With great hopes, but with little expectancy — little could be expected from a
seven-man basketball squad, only two of whom had participated in high school athletics
— for a successful season, basketball was begun. Dressed in Cardinal and New Gold,
the beys prepared to meet what might come. And come it did.

From the standpoint of scores, the season was one of little success ; from the stand-
point of learning to "play the game," the results were most satisfactory. At least the
ball was started and will continue to roll, gathering more and more momentum, down
through the years to come.

Schedule

Bryan 6; Rhea High 32

Bryan 9; Dayton "Y" 41

Bryan 16; Hiwassee College 50

Bryan 24; Modern Woodmen 23

Bryan 29; Hiwassee College 71

Bryan 25 ; Burritt College 28

Bryan 29; Rhea High 25

Bryan 36; Burritt College 28

Bryan

203 ; Opponents
28

323

THE COMMONER, 1931

Coach Ryther, Trentham, Watson, Dunlap, Ray, Fisher
Purser, Lacewell, Capt. Billingsley, Smith, Beard

Girls' Basketball Teain

"What is sauce for the gander, is sauce for the goose" ; so it was not long before
it was definitely understood that Bryan would put two basketball teams onto the court
instead of one. The girls, three of whom had played basketball to some extent in
high school, began to organize for war. Recruits were enlisted, and practice began
with ten prospective players on deck.

The number of applicants for berths on the team had soon dwindled to some seven
or eight, and it was not until the influx of students for the second quarter that much
could be accomplished in the way of practice.

As was the result of the boys' work, perhaps the greatest benefit gained from the
season lies in the fact that the game has been introduced and that the preliminary
organization will at least be less difficult next year.

Schedule

. 6 ; Rhea High 34

.13; Hiwassee College 29

. 16; Hiwassee College ' . 17

.14; Rhea High 26

.15; Decatur Independents 37

Bryan

Bryan

Bryan

Bryan

Bryan

Bryan 20; Decatur Independents 13

Bryan 84 ; Opponents

156

29

THE COMMONER, 1931

1

'Among Those Present"
30

THE COMMONER, 1931

A Little Bit of Everything

THE COMMONER, 1931

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THE COMMONER, 1931

We Congratulate the

Faculty or the Bryan University

On the First Years Work of This
Splendid Institution

rlay It Be the Foundation of One of the
South s Finest Schools

The Dayton Bank &? Trust Company

DAYTCN, TENN.

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THE COMMONER, 1931

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Building Material, Crates

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THE COMMONER, 1931

Memories of youth fade and
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ATTEND

Bryan University

An institution which educates spirit-
ually, mentally, and physically.

Catalogue on Request

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THE COMMONER, 1931

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