This photo surfaced recently, and it tells an incredible story (actually many). It was taken on May 24, 1959 as the lounge in the newly-named Jenkins Hall was dedicated to Jessie Trotter, the last living faculty member of the West Virginia Conference Seminary. The class of 1907 chose her as their sponsor (the first woman to be so honored), and dedicated the Murmurmontis to her. Eight members of that class joined her at this event in 1959- they had raised funds as a group in order to furnish this lounge in her honor.
The first person to catch my attention was the speaker, Miss Nellie Wilson. Miss Wilson arrived in February of 1943. She was Head Resident of three different dormitories (49 S. Florida, Agnes Howard Hall, Jenkins Hall), was Assistant Professor of Christian Education, Dean of Women, and after her retirement she served as the College Hostess. She was known to be a gracious lady and impacted many lives. The lounge in Benedum Hall is named for her.
Peering out from behind the mantel is President Stanley Martin.
Sitting in the front row in the hat and corsage is Edna Jenkins. Edna, who graduated from the Seminary in 1902, and later served on the Board of Trustees from 1943-56, has been a generous benefactor to campus and students alike through the years. On the day of this photo Jenkins Hall was being named in her honor. In fact the name wasn’t even on the front of the building yet!
Her love for the college and the students was celebrated in the 1951 Murmurmontis, which was dedicated to her. Among her gifts were:
-
- Edna Jenkins Home Economics Cottage (1942)
- Moeller Organ (1949)
- Steinway Concert Grand Piano (1950)
- Many scholarships through the years to help give student opportunities
The man on the back row with the camera is Howard Hiner – who rarely appears in photographs, but who has taken thousands through the years. In fact, it is his huge body of work (shared with us by his son-in-law, Danny Green ’74) that allows us to see the development of the campus and to see these Giants in action. This shows him in his usual role, but this event was evidently big enough to warrent more than one photographer! It was taken by Horace Phillips.
That same day, the cafeteria in that building (a space now occupied by the Wellness Center) was named in honor of Paul Benedum and the late Michael Benedum. At a banquet in that space, Edna Jenkins received a painting of her home which had been commissioned by Stanley Martin. It was painted by Fred Messersmith, who taught art here from 1949-1960.
Nellie Wilson, Stanley Martin, Edna Jenkins, Jessie Trotter, Howard Hiner, Fred Messersmith…so many Giants. These are the people who have helped create and celebrate our Home Among the Hills. How awesome to see them in these photos.