Arkansas State Press

Shorter Celebrates
71st Anniversary

Shorter college, a church-related college under the auspices of the AME church located in No. Little Rock, last week celebrated its 71st Anniversary. Bishop E. L. Hickman, the presiding bishop of the 13th Episcopal district, ably and eloquently delivered the anniversary sermon challenging the constituency to move forward in perpetuating great traditions of African Methodism. Dr. Howard D. Gregg, president of Daniel Payne college, Birmingham, Alabama brilliantly and persuasively gave the anniversary address challenging the constituency to face realistically the high standards and pressing demands of this new day.

One of the great highlights of the anniversary celebration was the announcement by Bishop Sherman L. Greene, chairman of the institution's governing board and president of its Alumni Association, that the sum of $62,000 has been pledged toward a proposed new building replacing Tyree Hall, the institution's oldest but dilapidated building that has recently been torn down.

Dr. Theophilus D. Alexander, president of the college, the faculty and students presented their annual founders' day project in the sum of $3,187.72, the initial payment on their pledge of $10,000 over the next three years toward the proposed new building.

Mrs. Amos J. White victoriously served as chairman of the founders' day committee. Miss Vera Mae Ashford, freshman from Searcy, reported $203.00, the highest sum raised among the students and captured the honor of being named "Miss Shorter college of 1957".

Miss Norma Jean Young, a sophomore from Helena, reported $100.10 and on basis of being the ranking contestant of the sophomore class, the class reporting the highest average, was named "The Founders Day Queen". Miss Janet Wade and Mrs. Georgia Sutton, students from El Dorado, and Monticello respectively, also reported more than a hundred dollars each. Mrs. Vera W. Muldrew registrar of the college, reported the sum of $170.00, the highest sum reported among the faculty not including the president of the institution.

The Founders' Day celebration was well attended by presiding elders, pastors and lay members throughout the 12th Episcopal district. Listed among distinguished guests were the Honorable A. C. Perry, Mayor of North Little Rock, Dr. S. L. Greene, jr., and Dr. Andrew White, general officers of the church, and Dr. J. M. Grenberry from the 13th Episcopal district.