Guide to the Westminster College anniversary records

The Salt Lake Collegiate Institute (1875-1910): The Institute was founded by First Presbyterian Church of Salt Lake City and opened April 12, 1875 in the basement of the church. In 1896 the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions assumed ownership and administrative control of the institute, and maintained operations until 1910, when it transferred the property to Westminster College. By the 1902-1903 school year the Institute had already become the "Preparatory Department" of Westminster College.

The May 1884 meeting minutes of the Board of Trustees of the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute includes the following names: Eli B. Kelsey, Chairman, Henry W. Lawrence, Trustee, Benjamin G. Ray, Trustee, and Thomas Armstrong, Secretary.

In one letter Robert G. McNiece, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church and chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Collegiate Institute, asks Sweazey to consider becoming principal so that the Collegiate Institute and Westminster College might be "closer to being one." In 1910, ownership of the Institute was transferred to the Board of Trustees of Westminster College

Sheldon Jackson College, Salt Lake City, Utah (1895-1901): Sheldon Jackson College in Salt Lake City, Utah was chartered in 1895 and opened 1897 on the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute campus. The one and only commencement was held on June 4, 1901. The Board of Trustees approved a name change to "Westminster College" on Feb. 6, 1902. Sheldon Jackson and his wife signed an agreement to the name change on April 25, 1902.

In late March, 1892, the Presbytery of Utah, in planning for a possible college in Utah, elected a Board of Trustees for the proposed college, consisting of five ministers (Rev. S.E. Wishard of Ogden, Rev. G.W. Martin of Manti, Rev. Josiah McClain of Nephi, Rev. C.M. Shepherd of Springville, and Rev. R.G. McNiece of Salt Lake City) and four laymen (Col. W.M. Ferry of Park City, F.E. Gregg and Frank E. Pierce of Salt Lake City, and W.I. Brown of Nephi). Robert G. McNiece was named President (Chairman) of the Board, Rev. McClain, Secretary, and Gill S. Peyton was appointed Treasurer. A committee was formed to begin drafting by-laws and a constitution for the proposed college.

In August, 1892 the Board proposed the name "Salt Lake College". In April and May, 1893, the Board examined four locations proposed for the campus; Ogden was considered especially attractive, but further study returned the Board to its original resolution to locate in Salt Lake City, and this was confirmed.

By August, 1896, with support from Sheldon Jackson, the college was named "Sheldon Jackson College" and the Board of Trustees under this name held its first meeting in Salt Lake City. The first order of business was to elect a President, and General John Eaton of Washington City was chosen.

In a letter dated May 1898 to Mrs. Jeanette H. Ferry, Robert G. McNiece mentions the plan to consolidate Sheldon Jackson College and the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute and informs Ferry that both Dr. Eaton and Dr. Jackson have given their approval

In 1902, William Montague Ferry (1824-1905), a trustee of Westminster College, would step in and provide the college with the funding it desperately needed, buying the property that the campus currently occupies.

Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah (1902- ): Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah came into official existence as an educational institution when the Board of Trustees approved a name change on Feb. 6, 1902 from the earlier name, Sheldon Jackson College. For a few years, the letterhead on Westminster College stationery included the notation "formerly Sheldon Jackson College". College classes were suspended 1909-1913 but resumed in 1914. Westminster College as a legal entity was closed June 30, 1983 and reopened the next day on July 1, 1983 as "Westminster College of Salt Lake City", technically a new institution. The name was changed back to Westminster College in 1998.

This collection consists of various brochures, flyers, lists, pamphlets, programs, newspaper clippings, and magazine articles concerning the 25th, 75th and 100th anniversaries of Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah. These celebrations marked the recognition of different historical beginnings. The bulk of the materials relate to the college's centennial celebration.

In September 1922, the college celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. A single pamphlet documents the events. The celebration was held September 3, 1922 at the First Presbyterian Church. At the ceremony six men spoke. Three were some of the first founders of the college: Rev. Duncan J. McMillan ("Early education days in Utah"), Rev. Josiah McClain ("Early days of the College"), and Rev. William M. Paden ("Modern days of Westminster"). The pamphlet includes the texts of the speeches. This celebration marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of the College.

The seventy-fifth anniversary celebration marked the beginning of the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute in 1875, which had merged with Westminster College. These materials include a chronological brochure listing the college's historical events from 1875 to 1950.

Westminster College's major historical celebration was its Centennial in 1975 which was marked with a variety of events and programs. The 1974 "Centennial Fellows" program was created for a dual purpose -- to seek alumni support for the college and to offer shares for their financial support. The minimum eligible annual contribution was $100. The benefits to contributors included attending regular classes without paying the tuition and free attendance at concerts, plays and athletic events

The 1975 commencement and baccalaureate exercises differed from earlier events. Honorary award recipients were two very high profiled individuals, Edward Health, former British Prime Minster and noted musician, George Shearing. Heath gave the commencement address, while Shearing performed during the Baccalaureate services. The commencement programs document these events.

Other brochures and programs in the collection document additional centennial events including the following: the President’s tour in London and Greece, the centennial tour of the Westminster choir, the centennial summer commencement ceremonies, and the centennial salute to businesses, the centennial dinner and the all college convocation. Other centennial publications include a single issue of the Westminster Newsletter Centennial and the Basketball guide.

The Salt Lake Tribune covered many such events. Its first article was dated August 23, 1974 and previewed plans for the following year's celebration. Two February 1975 articles provided brief historical descriptions of Westminster College while a May article discussed former British Prime Minster Edward Heath's visit. Two Deseret News articles (April 30 and October 11, 1975) provide an account of Westminster College. Also an article in Utah Magazine (May June 1975), provides an overview of the college's history.

Restrictions on Access:

Open to public research.

Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Twenty-four hours advance notice is encouraged.

Restrictions on Use:

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material must be obtained from the director of the Giovale Library.

Preferred Citation:

Westminster College anniversary records, 1922-1975, ACC-095, Giovale Library Archives, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Arrangement:

Arranged numerical by anniversary number, thereunder alphabetically by subject category.

Processing Note:

Processed March 2007 by Arlinda Shtylla.

Creator:

Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)

Westminster College of Salt Lake City

Language:

Collection materials are in English.

Quantity:

0.2 linear feet

Language of the Finding Aid:

English.

Author of the Finding Aid:

Finding aid written March 2007 by Arlinda Shtylla.

EAD Creation Date:

2013 September 17 by Sarah Shaw

Standard:

Describing Archives : A Content Standard (DACS)

Subarea:

Related Material:

Related collections and photographs in Giovale Library Archives:

• Herbert Ware Reherd Westminster College President's correspondence, 1891-1908 (ACC-004A)
• Herbert Ware Reherd Westminster College President's subject files, 1887-1951 (ACC-004C)
• Robert D. Steele Westminster College President's correspondence, 1939-1973 (ACC-005A)
• Robert D. Steele Westminster College President's subject files, 1871-1918, 1938-1954, 1972 (ACC-005B)
• The Parson and The Forum, 1953-2012 (ACC-082)
• Josiah McClain family papers, 1870-1948 (MSS-021)
• Photograph of Rev. Josiah McClain
• Photograph of Rev. Duncan James McMillan
• Photograph of Rev. William M. Paden

Corporate Names:

Salt Lake Collegiate Institute--Anniversaries, etc.
Salt Lake Collegiate Institute--History
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Anniversaries, etc.
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--Centennial celebrations, etc.
Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)--History

Subject Terms:

Special events--Utah--Salt Lake City
Universities and colleges--Utah--Salt Lake City--History

Form or Genre Terms:

Articles
Brochures
Clippings (information artifacts)
Fliers (printed matter)
Lists (document genres)
Pamphlets
Programs (documents)

Personal Names:

Heath, Edward
McClain, Josiah
McMillan, D. J. (Duncan James), 1846-1939
Paden, William Mitchell, 1854-1931
Shearing, George

Geographical Names:

Salt Lake City (Utah)--History--Sources