This timeline is dedicated to all the High Point College and High Point University students without which this institution would not exist. We hope to give but a small glimpse of what it must have meant to be a student at High Point in each of the last ten decades.
Staff members from the Library and Communication departments contributed to the creation of the timeline:
Use the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the screen to progress through the timeline. Click any event to see more details. Other views, including a full-screen list and pinboard, can be accessed via icons at the top right.
Historical narrative of Yadkin College published in 1985 by Virginia G. Fick. Many of the Yadkin College historical references found on the timeline are from this well-written history.
In 1856 Yadkin College was chartered. Many believe that it is the spiritual predecessor of High Point College, founded in an effort to improve education in NC by the Methodist Protestant Church. A historical marker can be found on the High Point University campus next to Roberts Hall.
Yadkin College begins classes in the fall.
The American Civil War (1861-1865) stands as a defining chapter in the nation’s history, pitting the Northern Union against the Southern Confederacy over issues of slavery, states’ rights, and secession. This conflict claimed the lives of over 600,000 soldiers and left deep scars on the country’s fabric
The American Civil War erupted in 1861, driven by mounting tensions between the Northern and Southern states over slavery, economic disparities, and states’ rights
Just a few years after starting out, Yadkin College was forced to temporarily close its doors because of the Civil War. The school reopened in 1867. It was one of 16 colleges in NC at the time.
One other school predates the founding of High Point College. In the 1850s the Jamestown Female Academy was erected in Jamestown, NC. It lasted a short time and burned to the ground in 1861. The academy was then moved to the other college started by the Methodist Protestant church - Yadkin College.
Yadkin College reopens after being closed throughout the Civil War.
1877-78 – Yadkin College grants its first Bachelor of Arts degree and becomes one of the first coeducational colleges in the south.
This new building was erected at Yadkin College in 1881. It included a 5 story tower which was unusual for its time and the rural setting. As the campus declined in later years it was demolished.
In 1964 James E. Holmes published his memories of Yadkin college spanning the 1890s. The introduction reads:
Joseph McCulloch noted in a Methodist Protestant Herald special edition entitled “Devoted to High Point Methodist Protestant College” that he felt the “call of God,” and as early as 1894 devoted himself to advocating, planning, and fundraising for a new Methodist Protestant College
After financial issues the school was leased to W. T. Totten who called it the Yadkin Collegiate Institute.
McCulloch and other advocates for a college all weighed in on what should be included. In this image, published in No Easy Task, you can see an early version on their thoughts for a new college.
In 1901 John C. Roberts, a Kernersville native and trustee at Yadkin College pledges $10,000.00 to be used to build a new college if the school opened before 1920. Obviously, that goal was not met. These funds reverted to a scholarship fund that would be titled the Roberts Bequest
The only orphanage of the Methodist Protestant Church was located at High Point, North Carolina. It was established by the Woman’s Home Missionary Society.
World War I (1917 to 1918) marked the United States’ entry onto the global stage
World War I began in 1914, triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The event escalated into a complex web of alliances and disputes among European powers
The Conference appointed three members to work with an equal number from the Board of Education. The committee of six met in Greensboro, determined to proceed with plans for a college.
A celebration marked the beginning of construction of Roberts Hall, a lasting symbol of the college.
Roberts Hall was completed in 1923 at a cost of $120,000. The building is 150 feet from grade to spire.
Robert Andrews is the first HPC Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1923 to 1925.
Robert Macon Andrews becomes the first President of High Point College in 1924.
With the opening of High Point College, Yadkin College closes its doors. While there were many reasons that the school closed, it mostly had to do with its rural location and the fact that the conference could not support two colleges.
Trustees selected the college colors of purple and white and the motto, “Nil Sine Numine,” which translates to, “Nothing without Divine Light.”
Percy E. Lindley becomes Dean and serves until 1939.
On September the 14th, 1924, the family of JC Roberts donated the family bible to High Point College to honor their father as classes begin in his namesake building.
With a campus that consisted of three partially completed buildings, nine faculty members, and a student enrollment of 122, classes began on a muddy September 14, 1924.
R.F. Williams is Named Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1925 to 1927.
The Torch was produced under the aegis of C. B. Houck, an English professor, from the spring of 1925 through the spring of 1926. During its short life, it combined articles on student activities with literary pieces written by students. Publishing costs were paid by selling advertisements. Talmage C
Jack Boylin arrived at High Point College in the fall of 1925 and has been called “the father of High Point College athletics”. Upon his arrival, Boylin coached football (1925-1929), basketball (1927-1930), and baseball (1930) while also serving as Director of Athletics.
President Robert Andrews. Tuition and board – $395.00. Enrollment – 135. Degrees conferred – 44 in 1928.
Intercollegiate athletics for men at High Point College began in 1925 with the employment of Coach J. P. Boylin, who previously worked at High Point High School. His work was overseen by an Athletic Council that included athletic director Boylin, two more faculty and two students.
In the early days of the college, a photo taken of the entire faculty, staff, and student body was quite common. They were often taken on the first day of classes or as a part of the fall semester ritual. This photo dates from November 5th, 1925.
This photo shows the semi-completed campus in about 1926. On the left is McCulloch, the men’s dormitory. On the right is Women’s dorm, later called McEwen. Roberts Hall is seen in the center with the heating plant in the far back. All buildings were hooked up to this main heating plant.
Volume 1, issue 1 of the Hi-Po, the school newspaper was published in the fall of 1926.
Literary Societies were an important part of the student life experience in the late 1800s and the early 1900s at colleges and universities in the United States. At many schools ninety percent of students would belong to a literary society and at High Point College this was no different
Raiford Porter was a founding member of the fine arts department at High Point College in 1956. He provided depictions of students across the decades as illustrations for the college history, No Easy Task, a book which chronicled the first 50 years of High Point College.
The first yearbook was published in 1927 and showed off the first graduating class. It was published yearly until 2015.
Although the college welcomed its first class in 1924, they held the first graduation in 1927. Many of the students who entered High Point College in 1924 were transfers from other colleges.
In 1926 the trustees approved the addition of a campus fountain to be located in front of Roberts Hall and later Wrenn library. The fountain was removed in 2006 to make way for changes to the thoroughfare and parking in front of Roberts Hall.
Iota Tau Kappa Fraternity is chartered.
Theta Phi Sorority is chartered.
Epsilon Eta Phi Fraternity is chartered.
Football player Baxter Gillon from Lenoir Rhyne dies of injuries sustained in a November 7, 1927 game with High Point College. He died in the hospital on November 8th, with High Point College athletes by his side. His body was returned to Salisbury, where he was laid to rest on November 9th.
R.M. Cox is Named Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1928 to 1931.