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Celebrations Soon for College Sesquicentennial
by Mee Vang and Nicole Robinson
College Street in 1947 showing the entrance arch - photo from The Laurel
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Mars Hill College will celebrate its 150th Anniversary with a year-long series of events beginning in May.
Several works have been commissioned to celebrate 150 years of history, including: a coffee table book of photographs, a musical play about Mars Hill's history, a series of scale models of the campus, and the rebuilding of the entrance arch.
The college will also look to the future by beaking ground on May 6 for a new science building, opening a new dormitory in August, and renovating Owen Theater.
The theme for the sesquicentennial is "Preserving the Past; Assuring the Future." "We want to celebrate the past, but also use it as a spring-board for the future," said Everett "Buddy" Gill, MHC '51, chair of the Sesquicentennial Commission.
Best-selling author and poet Maya Angelou, has accepted an invitation to speak on November 16. Angelou is the author of the well-known book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," and 11 other books. She is also an educator, historian, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director. In 1993, Angelou became the second poet in United States history to have written and recited her own original work at the Presidential Inauguration.
Doug Mackenzie of Marshall is building a scale model of the campus as it looked in 1910. It is scheduled to be unveiled on June 2 and placed on exhibit in Blackwell. If the money can be raised, additional models will be built of the campus in 1966 and as it looks today. The Class of 1956 has agreed to cover the cost.
Ground broken for the new Gateway Arch
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As the Class of 1956, the Centennial Class, celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is also financing reconstruction of an arch that once marked the entrance to the campus. The arch was built in 1926, but was taken down in the late 1940s. The reconstructed arch will be unveiled June 2-3.
Retired Professor of Theater Arts at Mars Hill College, C. Robert Jones, has written a sesquicentennial musical play featuring several characters who figured prominently in the history of the college. It will be previewed on October 11 and 12. Opening night will be October 13. The musical play will also be performed on October 14-15.
Dr. Eric Ewazen of the Julliard School of Music has composed the Mars Hill College sesquicentennial fanfare for low brass and percussion. On October 6 there will be a concert premiering the composition.
A coffee-table book of Mars Hill College photographs will go on sale, entitled Through the Long Years. A ceremony will acknowledge the inclusion of Mars Hill College Buildings on the National Historic Register. The college will rededicate the Doug Ferguson Tiles in Blackwell Hall in October.
"Mars Hill College is constantly reinventing itself," said Gill. Faculty, staff and supporters have helped it during the last 150 years. " It has been an Academy, a Junior College and a Senior College." It constantly had to fight for its survival. The college could have disappeared during the Civil War. Buildings were burned and troops were on the quad.
Founders Week is October 9th through 13th. On October 10th, the Crossroads program will feature a founders week theme and a founders' day speaker.
Dates for many events are yet to be determined. Those include performances of the commissioned Sesquicentennial Choral Works by Dan Locklair and Bob Burroughs.
The dedication of the new Bailey Mountain Dormitory, will be coordinated with the Bailey Mountain project of the Richard L. Hoffman Foundation. The timing of renovations to the Owen Theater complex is yet to be determined. There will also be a rededication of the gravesite of Thomas M. Hufham, an early President of Mars Hill College. The gravesite is located in Hickory, North Carolina. The date and ceremony are to be determined in connection with Hickory alumni.
Reader Comment:
Andy Mrozkowski, Webmaster, 4/29/06, 10:06 p.m.
Don't forget the Sesquicentennial website at: http://www.mhc.edu/150
It has important dates, historical photos and an interactive timeline of the college's history.
Melanie Sams Davis, 4/28/2006, 11:16:00 p.m.
Hello! I was wondering when they plan on having the reunion for the founding families? I was told something about maybe this year, and that maybe President Carter would attend? are there any plans, and if so, can I get the information on the plans? I am a Sams Descendant and visit Mars Hill every year when the Sams Family has their reunion in Grapevine Community in October. I live In Pickens, S.C. and am very interested in knowing if there are any family plans or events dealing with founding families and the college.
Buddy Gill, chair, Sesquicentennial Commission, 5/11/06, 11:54 a.m.
The folks at the Hilltop asked me to respond to your e-mail about a
reunion of the founding families. As chair of the Sesquicentennial
Commission I am happy to fill you in on what is being planned.
Just yesterday the Commission recommended that the executive dining room
in the cafeteria be renamed the "Oscar E. Sams Dining Room" in honor of
the significant contribution he made to the college through the years.
We are also excited that a Founding Families Memorial will be constructed
on the quad. It will incorporate the cornerstone of the first building as
well as the fountain. Unfortunately, we will not be able to get it built
in time for Founders Week, but hopefully it will be done in time for
Charter Day in February, 2007. We will let everybody know when it is
ready for dedication.
There was, in fact, an effort to secure Jimmy Carter. But even though we
went through one of his personal friends we had no luck. He is just
engaged in too many projects already.
The sesquicentennial website http://www.mhc.edu/150/ will be a good place
to keep up with the progress of the various events. But if you have any
specific questions or suggestions, please send me an e-mail or call. I
will be happy to respond. Best Wishes, Buddy Gill (e-rgill2@juno.com)
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