Alma
Greenwood
On November 5, 1888, Snow College, then called Sanpete Stake Academy, officially
opened. Alma Greenwood, from Filmore, Utah was chosen as the first principal.
At the time it opened, there were 121 students who paid a tuition of $4.00
per term for the Preparatory Department (elementary school) and $6.00 per
term for the Intermediate Department (high school). The
Academy was originally opened to both males and females with ages ranging
from 11 to 30 years. Classes were held in the top floor of the Ephraim
Social Hall, as there was no campus then.
George Christensen
Principal George Christensen was born
in Denmark. His term as director was the shortest of any of the administrators
who served at Snow College. For that reason, not much is written about
his tenure. However, the book Snow College Historical Highlights: First
100 Years tells us that Principal Christensen insisted that the students
abide by the following school regulations:
1. Obscenity or profanity
of any form is forbidden.
2. The use of tobacco or strong drink is not allowed.
3. In selecting boarding places students must consult the principal.
4. No student can honorably discontinue attendance without obtaining specifications
of standing.
5. Students irregular in their habits, keeping late hours, having improper
associates, or visiting any places of questionable repute, may be placed
on restrictions.
6. Students must receive permission from the principal to attend public
or private parties [including dances].
Newton
E. Noyes
Principal Newton Noyes served as principle for 29 years. He did much for
the Academy. During his administration many worthwhile changes took place.
The curriculum was expanded, the present campus site was acquired, and
the current administration building (Noyes Building) and original gymnasium
were erected. Principal Noyes also laid the ground work for the school
to become an accredited Junior College.
In March of 1930,
Principal Noyes and William D. Livingston, went to Salt Lake City to convince
the presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of the
need to become a part of the Church Educational System. The presidency
accepted. In 1902, during Principal Noyes' administration, the name of
the Academy was changed from Sanpete Stake Academy to Snow Academy in
honor of two of the early LDS missionaries, Erastus and Lorenzo Snow,
who served in Scandanavia--where many of the early settlers in the valley
were originally from. In 1917 the name of the institution was again changed
to Snow Normal College.
Wayne
B. Hales
President Wayne B. Hales was the first to hold the title of president
at Snow College. During President Hales' administration, in March of 1922,
the name of the college was changed to Snow Junior College. In 1923, Snow
Junior College received academic accreditation from the State Board of
Education. When this happened, all high school courses were abandoned
at the college, and full emphasis was placed on preparation for transfer
to four year universities.
Milton
H. Knudsen
Snow College received its current name on March 17, 1923, when its name
was again changed from Snow Junior College. It was during President Knudsen's
administration that the Badger became the mascot for Snow College.
Another Snow College
symbol came into being while President Knudsen was presiding. The "S"
on the hill to the east of Snow College was finished on May 20, 1926.
During President Knudsen's tenure there was very little funding available,
and Snow College was threatened with closure. Due to a massive push by
many citizens and some good men in the government House Bill 101, providing
state funding for Snow College, was barely approved. This made it possible
for Snow College to stay open, and Snow became a state school on July
1, 1932.
I. Owen Horsfall
President Horsfall, the sixth President of Snow College, made many changes
when he arrived. Among the changes made were improvements to the physical
facilities (lighting, plumbing, and painting), higher certification requirements
for teachers, and more importance placed on student government. Because
the depression was going strong while President Horsfall was in office,
he helped many students find work, not only while going to Snow, but also
afterwards.
One of the great traditions
of Snow College was begun during President Horsfall's administration,
that being, the annual performance of Handel's The Messiah. This
great musical has been performed since 1934.
James
A. Nuttall
President Nuttall did much for the growth of the Snow College campus.
Through his vision and under his capable leadership, there resulted the
building of the vocational arts building, a gymnasium, a science building,
a lighted athletic field and campus, an equipped college farm, a radio
station, a remodeled administration building, two dormitories, increased
departmental facilities, the beginning of construction on a new auditorium,
improvement of streets and walks around the campus, as well as numerous
other physical additions to the campus.
Lester
B. Whetten
One of the first things President Whetten did after being appointed president
of Snow College was revamp the Snow College catalog. For years, the catalog
had been basically the same; it was unattractive to prospective students.
For this reason, President Whetten convinced the faculty to restyle the
catalog.
President Whetten
also made some important structural changes at Snow College. He grouped
the academic departments into five major groups, namely: the Division
of Education and Social Science, the Division of Farm and Home Science,
the Division of Natural Science and Mathematics, the Division of Business,
and the Division of Humanities.
J.
Elliot Cameron
President Cameron was another man who did much to expand the current college
campus. Land was purchased to the north and to the east to increase the
square footage of the college campus. Also, during President Cameron's
leadership, the student senate was formed. With the formation of a student
senate, the students at Snow were able to have more influence on the different
aspects of student life.
Another great thing which happened during President Cameron's administration
was construction of Fern Young Hall, a new women's dormitory. Overseeing
the transition from a four year entity, including two years of high school
classes, to a two year institution with only college-level courses was
one of President Cameron's greatest challenges.
Floyd
S. Holm
During President Holm's administration more dormitories were built, namely
Mary Nielson Hall, Nuttall Hall, Snow Hall, Anderson Hall, and Castilleja
Hall. Other buildings renovated or completed during his administration
include the following: the Campus Center (now the Social Science Building),
the Applied Arts Building, an addition to the Auditorium, the Physical
Plant, and the Lucy A. Phillips Library. The Science Building was also
completed under President Holm's direction.
President Holm worked
very hard during his administration to get Snow College accredited by
the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools (NASHS). This
accreditation made it possible to transfer credits easily to other schools
accredited by the NASHS.
J. Margin Higbee
During President Higbee's administration, the Activity Center, or AC as
it is commonly known, was built. The AC not only services the Snow College,
but the entire community. Because of the AC and all the excellent facilities
available Snow College sporting events became very successful. The women's
athletic program got off to good start during President Higbee's administration.
Before this time there were no collegiate teams for females; now Snow
has excellent volleyball, softball, and basketball teams for female athletes.
President Higbee adopted
the now commonly heard phrase "The Warmest Snow On Earth." This
slogan became a philosophy for President Higbee as he opened up the campus
to the outside world. During the summer months, the campus was, and is
still, used as a popular place to hold youth conferences. Foreign students
also began attending Snow during Higbee's tenure. Now, Snow College has
a very strong international representation in the student body.
Steven
D. Bennion
President Bennion was another president who did much to help Snow College
improve. While he led Snow College, he was able to raise much needed money
to be used for scholarships. President Bennion actively worked for much
of this money, as can be shown by his running the St. George Marathon,
raising $17,500 for this cause.
Snow College had a
very successful year nationally in 1985. The Snow College football and
the forensic teams won national titles. The forsenic team beat out four-year
universities for its title, including UCLA and MIT. The football team's
victory was over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in the Mid-America Bowl.
The Snow College football season ended with zero losses, an excellent
year!
West Campus, which
is located four blocks west of main campus, houses the Business and Technology
Division and was acquired during President Bennion's first year of leadership.
Gerald
J. Day
A lot of changes have also taken place during President Day's administration.
The Humanities Building was renovated, and the Lucy A. Phillips Library
was remodeled. The Greewood Student Center was also built, and the Noyes
Building was restored to more closely reflect its original architecture.
In addition to increasing
the number of physical facilities, President Day has been resourceful
in increasing the number of educational opportunities for the people of
Central Utah. Legislative HB 114 officially made the former Sevier Valley
Applied Technology Center a branch campus of Snow College. Snow College
South became the Applied Technology Division of the college, and a new
Fine Arts Division was created. |
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