College of Emporia
Encyclopedia
The College of Emporia was established in 1882 in Emporia, Kansas
, and was associated with the Presbyterian
church. The college officially closed in 1974. The college campus was purchased by The Way International
for $694,000 and was operated as the Way College of Emporia from 1975 until 1989. The Registrar's office at Emporia State University
is the official custodian of the transcripts for the former College of Emporia.
. Because Emporia had these two colleges before 1900 it was sometimes called the "Athens
of Kansas
." In March 1909, the Lewis Academy, a Presbyterian school in Wichita
, consolidated with the College of Emporia.
In 1884 William Allen White
enrolled at the College of Emporia. Colonel John Byers Anderson
of Manhattan, Kansas
, donated his personal library to the college in 1888.
Twelve years later, a Carnegie
grant provided the funds for the college to build the Anderson Memorial Library, in memory of John B. Anderson, whom Carnegie had known when younger and who later served on the board of trustees of the College of Emporia. The library was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
on June 25, 1987.
Football
was established in the late 1890s and existed until the college closed its doors in 1974. The team known as the red and white "Fighting Presbies" had a proud tradition--over 70 years of football the college won 14 conference football championships, including an undefeated, untied, and unscored on season in 1928.
In 1955, alumnus Lem Harkey was drafted in the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers
. Perhaps the college's most famous coach was Homer Woodson Hargiss
.
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
, and was associated with the Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
church. The college officially closed in 1974. The college campus was purchased by The Way International
The Way International
The Way International is a non denominational Christian ministry based in New Knoxville, Ohio, with home fellowships located in the United States and in over 30 other countries. It was founded by Victor Paul Wierwille in 1942 as a radio program, and became The Chimes Hour Youth Caravan in 1947, and...
for $694,000 and was operated as the Way College of Emporia from 1975 until 1989. The Registrar's office at Emporia State University
Emporia State University
Emporia State University is a university in the city of Emporia in Lyon County, Kansas, just east of the Flint Hills.- History :...
is the official custodian of the transcripts for the former College of Emporia.
History
Founded in 1882, the College of Emporia was one of two higher education institutes in Emporia. The other institute at the time was what later became Emporia State UniversityEmporia State University
Emporia State University is a university in the city of Emporia in Lyon County, Kansas, just east of the Flint Hills.- History :...
. Because Emporia had these two colleges before 1900 it was sometimes called the "Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
of Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
." In March 1909, the Lewis Academy, a Presbyterian school in Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, consolidated with the College of Emporia.
In 1884 William Allen White
William Allen White
William Allen White was a renowned American newspaper editor, politician, author, and leader of the Progressive movement...
enrolled at the College of Emporia. Colonel John Byers Anderson
John Byers Anderson
John Byers Anderson was an educator, railroad contractor and United States Army officer who served in the American Civil War as a colonel and superintendent of the Union railroads in the Department of the Ohio, Department of the Tennessee and Department of the Cumberland.-Education work:Anderson...
of Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281...
, donated his personal library to the college in 1888.
Twelve years later, a Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
grant provided the funds for the college to build the Anderson Memorial Library, in memory of John B. Anderson, whom Carnegie had known when younger and who later served on the board of trustees of the College of Emporia. The library was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on June 25, 1987.
Athletics
Football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
was established in the late 1890s and existed until the college closed its doors in 1974. The team known as the red and white "Fighting Presbies" had a proud tradition--over 70 years of football the college won 14 conference football championships, including an undefeated, untied, and unscored on season in 1928.
In 1955, alumnus Lem Harkey was drafted in the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. Perhaps the college's most famous coach was Homer Woodson Hargiss
Homer Woodson Hargiss
Homer Woodson "Bill" Hargiss was an American football and basketball player, and track and field athlete, and coach in Kansas and Oregon...
.