Bennett W. Hutchinson was the president when the doors to the West Virginia Conference Seminary opened on September 3, 1890. At that time he was only 31 years old, but he rose to the task of getting the building finished and furnished, a faculty hired, and all of the things that must be done at such a time. He also taught Psychology, Ethics, and Greek! His wife, Ruth, was the Principal of the Music Department.
When he was asked to speak at the college on October 17, 1941 about the early days of the college, he was unable to make the trip due to poor health. So, at the age of 82, he sent a recorded message (attended virtually). This message was recorded on September 3, 1941, 51 years to the day since the college opened its doors to students.
Click here to listen to him tell you about it in his own words and voice.
During the recording (8:46) you can hear him tell in his own voice about those early days. He describes the Seminary Building and campus, he remembers the great need for building a dormitory for women. He also talks abut those early founders and faculty, and reflects on the great success of the students and alumni through the years “scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific are making good in various walks of life.”
He died shortly thereafter, on November 29, 1941 and his friend Wallace B. Fleming wrote this obituary:
