Our First 100 Years
A timeline of D&E history, based on The Diamond Jubilee History by Dr. Thomas Richard Ross and the Centennial History by Dr. David Turner. |
| 1904 |
Davis & Elkins College is founded by United States Senators Stephen B. Elkins and Henry Gassaway Davis and the Presbyterian
Church. The first classes are held on September 21 in the original building atop Sallie Mike Hill, which overlooks the Tygart River in south Elkins. Joseph E. Hodgson is the first president of the combined College and Academy. 35 students register for the first term. |
| 1905 |
Dr. Frederick Henry Barron appointed president. The Board of Trustees votes to construct a separate residence for the president on what is now known as Barron Avenue. Tuition set at $50 per student. |
| 1906 |
Marshall C. Allaben named third president. D&E abandons co-education and becomes "for males only" institution. |
| 1910 |
Women are re-admitted at the urging of President Allaben in February, 1910. First commencement awards a B.A. to Robert S. Irons and a B.S. to Allison Cochran Brooks. Professor James E. Allen appointed fourth president. |
| 1911 |
The College song, "Alma Mater" adopted. Stephen B. Elkins dies. |
| 1916 |
Henry Gassaway Davis dies. First fund-raising campaign launched by a "Committee of 100." |
| 1917 |
World War I begins. Enrollment drops from 50 to 31. |
| 1919 |
Harry Whetsell joins D&E as instructor in mathematics, director of athletics and basketball coach. |
| 1920 |
Enrollment jumps from 37 to 70. |
| 1922 |
Charles E. Albert hired as professor of physics and civil engineering. The first issue of the campus newspaper, The Senator , is published. |
| 1923 |
Hallie Davis Elkins deeds Halliehurst Hall and approximately 60 acres of land with accompanying buildings to Davis & Elkins College. Planning begins for moving the College. Cam Henderson joins D&E as director of athletics and coach. |
| 1925 |
Cornerstone is laid for Liberal Arts Hall. Featured speakers at ceremony include H.G. Kump and E.A. Bowers. Charles Albert appointed dean. Raymond B. Purdum joins the faculty as professor of chemistry. |
| 1926 |
S. Benton Talbot joins the faculty as instructor of biology. Jennings Randolph named instructor in public speaking and journalism and director of intercollegiate athletics and publicity. The new campus, including Liberal Arts and Science Halls and a brick central heating plant, is dedicated in June. Building on Sallie Mike Hill is closed as well as the Academy. |
| 1927 |
Mathew J. Kelly Observatory erected. "Iron Horse" statue unveiled at the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Sycamore Street. |
| 1928 |
D&E beats Navy, 2-0. |
| 1930 |
First Mountain State Forest Festival held on D&E campus. |
| 1931 |
Academic majors and minors become a requirement for all students. The faculty adopts a letter grading system. First golf team formed. "Scarlet Hurricane" football team leads the nation in scoring. |
| 1932 |
First class of nursing students graduates. Jennings Randolph elected to U.S. Congress. |
| 1933 |
Hallie Davis Elkins dies in Washington, D.C. |
| 1934 |
"Student Goodwill Team" goes on first recruiting to West Virginia and Maryland high schools, showing lantern slides. Eleanor Roosevelt speaks at commencement, accompanies by Harold Ickes, Governor H.G. Kump and Congressman Jennings Randolph. |
| 1935 |
President Allen appointed president of Marshall University. Dean Charles E. Albert appointed acting president. Harry L. "Bud" Shelton named director of athletics and coach of football and basketball. |
| 1936 |
Franklin Delano Roosevelt visits D&E during Forest Festival. |
| 1939 |
Beta Alpha Beta business fraternity founded. S. Benton Talbot Nature Walk dedicated. Civil pilots "flying training school" established. Harry Whetsell appointed acting president. Graceland sold at auction. |
| 1940 |
Dr. Robert Todd Lapsley Liston appointed president. 38 D&E students and four faculty members register for military service. "Ace" Federovitch named to All-Conference and Small College All-American teams. |
| 1941 |
D&E acquires Graceland and 12 acres for $25,000. |
| 1942 |
Gloria Marquette elected May Queen. Enrollment drops to 110 students as war breaks out. D&E receives the Darby Collection. |
| 1943 |
D&E designated headquarters for the 334th Army Air Force College Training Detachment. Dr. Raymond B. Purdum appointed president. |
| 1944 |
Heirs of the Elkins estate give 54 acres between the campus and Harpertown Road to the College. |
| 1945 |
Gloria Marquette joins the faculty. Quonset huts erected to accommodate postwar student body. Enrollment triples to 303. |
| 1946 |
D&E receives accreditation and membership from the North Central Association. |
| 1949 |
D&E competes in NAIB national basketball tournament championship. The "Iron Men" team standouts include Carl Payne and "Hap" Huey.
Dr. Thomas Richard Ross joins the faculty. |
| 1950 |
ROTC unit activated. |
| 1951 |
Former Russian Premier Alexander Kerensky visits D&E. |
| 1952 |
Memorial Gymnasium dedicated. Woody Herman's band plays for the "Senators' Ball." |
| 1954 |
Dr. David K. Allen appointed president. |
| 1955 |
First issue of Forward magazine published. New dormitory, Allen Hall, constructed. First "Boar's Head" Christmas season dinner. |
| 1956 |
Lightning sets fire to Science Hall. Community rallies to raise funds for restoration. Adlai Stevenson visits campus. |
| 1957 |
Carol Douglas first co-ed to receive a varsity letter in athletics. |
| 1958 |
D&E Trustee Jennings Randolph elected to U.S. Senate. |
1959-
1963 |
Christian Higher Education Fund Campaign results in construction boom: new Library (now Jennings Randolph Hall), Benedum Hall, Gribble Hall and Darby Hall. |
| 1961 |
D&E terminates football. Washington Semester Program in cooperation with American University established. Professor E.H. Hunter Davis organizes a soccer team. |
| 1962 |
Former President Harry S. Truman visits campus during Forest Festival. |
| 1964 |
Rev. Gordon E. Hermanson appointed president. Study abroad program established. Women's field hockey is undefeated. |
| 1966 |
First Founders' Day observance. Vice President Hubert Humphrey visits campus during Forest Festival. |
| 1968 |
Ice House renovated for students. Soccer team wins National Championship under Coach Greg Myers. |
| 1969 |
Woods Orientation begins. Presidential Center dorm completed. |
| 1970 |
D&E competes in General Electric College Bowl on television. Alternative Futures study program introduced. Soccer team wins National Championship for second time. International Center dorm completed. |
| 1973 |
Augusta Heritage Center established at D&E. |
| 1974 |
D&E Athletic Hall of Fame established. |
| 1975 |
Margaret Purdum Goddin appointed first woman Dean in West Virginia. |
| 1976 |
Construction of the Eshleman Science Center, the chapel, the Claude King Davis plaza, and the Hermanson Campus Center. Renovation of the heating plant into the Boiler House Theatre. |
| 1982 |
C. Brent DeVore appointed president. |
| 1984 |
Dorothy I. MacConkey appointed president. Committee to "save" Halliehurst formed. |
| 1987 |
Integrated Studies program replaced by traditional Liberal Arts core. |
| 1988 |
Halliehurst receives National Historic Landmark status. |
| 1992 |
Booth Library dedicated. |
| 1996 |
Graceland Inn and the Robert C. Byrd Conference Center completed. |
| 1998 |
Dr. G. Thomas Mann appointed president of D&E. |
| 2001 |
$15.5 million Centennial Campaign launched. |
| 2002 |
D&E ranked in top tier of its category in U.S. News & World Report magazine's Guide to America's Best Colleges. Continues in top tier from this year forward. |
| 2004 |
Madden Student Center dedicated in Benedum Hall. Centennial Celebration begins. |
| 2005 |
Construction begins on the new Center for Health, Physical Education and Athletics. Dr. Gloria Payne receives special citation on the floor of the West Virginia Legislature. Centennial Campaign ends - is the most successful fundraising campaign in D&E history. |
