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The Wildcat

[[image – black & white photography T. M. Fairchild]]

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T. M. FAIRCHILD
A Contributor to the Endowment
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The Endowment

In the month of July 1928, the Trustees of Wiley College met at the College and received the message of a conditional gift of $300,000,00 coming from Rockefeller Foundation. Dr. Dogan, in bringing this good news, stated that an additional like sum must be raised. The Board of Education of the Methodist Episcopal Church assumed the responsability of raising $200,000,00 which left only $100,000,00 to be raised by Wiley College and its many friends.

The late and eminent educator, Dr. I. Garland Penn, was given the reins of Director of the Campaign and responses to the call were made at this meeting in the form of cash and subscriptions.

Under the able leadership of Dr. Penn more than $67,000,00 in cash and subscriptions were raised. In January, 1930, Dr. Penn went home and because of illness and death which followed in July, he was not able to carry on the work. While working under Dr. Penn, I found no man who was interested and who worked more than he. It was his daily prayer, "Endow Wiley College." His going was a great shock to the Campaign. Others may do well but none can fill his place. The General Church seeing the need of help sent the Hancher Organization to our rescue. The first representative was Dr. A. L. Howarth, who stated: "The Penn campaign and effort was well managed." The Organization sent Dr. O. B. Chassell to us as Director.

During the last effort which was during the months of October, November and December, we were able to raise above $85,000 in cash and subscriptions. The work first began at the College where persons who had subscribed increased and those who had no subscriptions subscribed; then teams went out in groups to the Districts of the Texas Conference. On the Paris District, Dr. J. W. Snapp (white), L. C. Thomas, Rev. J. S. Scott and Dr. F. H. Butler of the Epworth League Department, opened the District. When it was finished, J. W. Snapp was put in charge of the Beaumont District; L. C. Thomas, the Navasota District and J. S. Scott, the Houston District. These men worked until the 19th of December, assisted by each District Superintendent and pastors on said districts. It was never too cold, dark, wet or late for these preachers to leave home and go into the field ans work for real realization of a "Greater Wiley".

Wiley owes much to the Texas Conference and its real men. We have three years to raise our part. Don't forget your school graduates and under-graduates. Remember the good that Wiley is doing in the Southwest. Friends of education, do you part by Endowing Wiley College. "The Only School west of the Mississippi with a commitment from the Rockefeller Foundation."

LAWRENCE C. THOMAS