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HISTORY OF YANKTON COLLEGE
Yankton College produced thousands of students and graduates from 1881 to 1984. It was the first institution of higher learning in Daktoa Territory and provided a liberal arts education to many young men and women from the Midwest, both sides of the nation and even around the world. Rhodes scholars and educators, lawyers and doctors, theologians and muscians, artists and athletes emerged from here. It provided high moments in its history and education to fiscal lows. Through its 103 years of existence, college presidents, students, alumni, teachers, coaches, staff, trustees, corporate board members and friends contributed to the history of Yankton College.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Ward, Visionary
Joseph Ward was a native from Perry Centre, New York, a veteran of the Civil War, and a graduate of the prestigious Phillips Academy, Brown University and the Andover Theological Seminary.
In 1868 Ward arrived in Yankton, then the capital of the territory and a riverport town, as a missionary pastor, to the recently organized First Congregational Church. Reverend Ward was ordained in 1869 and the busy minister energetically pursued his missionary responsibilities for fourteen years. He also turned his attention to his second mission of promoting Christian education, teaching students in his own private school which became the Yankton Academy in 1872. It eventually became Yankton's high school when it went public, no longer offering a Christian education, but nonetheless, Yankton Academy was one of Ward's legacies.
Ward's hard work and leadership produced many contributions to Yankton and South Dakota, earning him a lasting place of honor in the commowealth's history. Foremost, of course, was his role in the founding of Yankton College. |
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College On The Hill
In 1881, Ward established his dream, a Christian institution of higher learning, Yankton College. It was chartered by the territorial government on August 30, 1881. The City of Yankton donated $11,000 and a tract of 25 acres to Yankton College, thereafter known as the "College on the Hill."
The cornerstone for the first building, Middle Hall (later known as the Conservatory) was laid in June 1882. It was dedicated in connection with the formal inaugeration of President Ward. In his spirited address, he is quoted, "What can be nobler than to found an institution that, by the simple force of its daily life, shall go out among the young and call each one to a higher life than he could have found without it!"
Ward and others believed that wisdom, knowledge and faith were inseparable, and that it was through the study of oneself, the universe and social order, the traditions of arts and science and human thought equipped one for life. In the beginning, the Articles of Incorporation included establishing eleven professorships: 1) Moral and Intellectual Philosophy and Natual Theology; 2) Latin Language and Literature; 3) Greek Language and Literature; 4) Physics and Astronomy; 5) Rhetoric, English Language and Elocution; 6) Modern Languages; 7) Music and Painting; 8) Chemistry and Mineralogy; 9) Geology and Natural History; 10) Mathematics and Civil Engineering; 11) History and Political Economy.
Ward designed the curriculum to include both classical and scientific courses, insisting on patterning his school after the established colleges he had known in the East.
Christ for the World
On January 5, 1885, the Yankton College Board of Trustees voted that the motto of the Christian school be "Christ for the World." The sentiment finds expression in a hymn composed by Rev. Samuel Wolcott, D.D. Furthermore, Rev. Charles M. Sheldon, who was a nephew of Ward, at his uncle's request, composed an inscription for the College bell, in which he introduces the same thought, as follows:
"At mourn, at noon, at twilight dim,
My voice shall sound
The world around,
'Christ for the World,
The world for Him!'"
Presidents
The following men were presidents of Yankton College respectfully from 1883-1984.
Joseph Ward: 1883 -1889
Albert Tallman Free: 1892 -1895
Henry Kimball Warren: 1895 - 1925
George Williston Nash: 1925 - 1940
Joseph Lyle McCorrison Jr.: 1940-1943
James Clark Graham: 1945 - 1954
Adrian Rondileau: 1954 - 1962
Donald B. Ward: 1962 - 1970
Fred S. Honkala: 1970 - 1972
Alfred M. Gibbons: 1973 - 1977
Orlan Mitchell: 1977 - 1984
Edward Couch: 1984 - 1985
There were interim presidents and administrators as well. Men who have served as presidents of Yankton College respectfully after it closed are: Don C. Peterson and Dr. W. F. Stanage. Dr. Charles Kaufman currently serves as president.
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Greyhounds
Yankton College is home of the Greyhounds, the athletic team name for football, basketball, baseball, track, cross country, golf and wrestling. The nickname was proposed by Bert "Bones" Fenenga '16, captain of the 1915 basketball team and all-state center in football, who believed the wearers of the Yellow and Black uniforms had to win "by speed and courage rather than by physique." His suggestion was adopted when a new student constitution said: "The Greyhound shall be considered the official insignia and mascot."
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There were record-breaking athletes, like "Smokey Joe" Mendel '31 and Tommie Lee White '66. Coaches like Carl Youngworth '19 provided leadership and focus. Some kids came to this Midwest college with only their athletic ability and went on to play pro football, like: Elroy Glanzer '62 for the Denver Broncos; Dean Wink '66 for the Philadelphia Eagles; Bob Sondergaard '67 for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Lyle Alzado '72 for the Denver Broncos, the Cleveland Browns and the LA Raiders; Les "JJ" Goodman '72 for the Green Bay Packers and there were many more. The Yankton College Greyhounds have been chronicled in the various Greyhounds, the Yankton Student, the College Bulletin, the Yankton Press & Dakotan and many other sources.
School of Theology
Religious education and seminary training was provided to men and women through the Yankton College School of Theology, which grew out of a merger with Redfield College in Redfield, SD and Yankton College in 1932. A unique five-year plan for the Bachelor of Theology degree combined the advantages of professional training, to include serving nearby churches during the senior year, with those of a full liberal arts education. This degree qualified the student for ordination and service as a Christian minister. During its time in Yankton, the School of Theology trained dozens of ministers who went out to serve churches of various Protestant denominations throughout the Upper Midwest. In 1962, the theology program at Yankton College joined with the Mission House Seminary in Plymouth, WI to form the United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, MN.
Middle Hall
Middle Hall was the first building on campus and constructed of quartzite with three full stories and a basement. In the beginning, it served as a dormitory, dining hall, chapel, library and recitation hall. Every YC student and graduate perhaps best remembers the building for its two towers, one with the College bell and the other with the College clock. This historic landmark was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It also housed the Conservatory of Music with classrooms, studios and a rehearsal hall. The Yankton College Conservatory of Music presented the study of music to develop intellectual, artistic and technical phases of the art to the students. Faculty members with broad musical training and proven teaching ability turned students into finished musicians, who then went on to umlimited musical career opportunities beyond the Midwest.
Garden Terrace Theatre
The Yankton College Garden Terrace Theatre was the first open-air theatre in this country specifically designed in 1913 with a stage incorporating the essential structural features of the London theatres of Shakespeare's time. It was used for plays, concerts, coronations, commencements and other outdoor events, weather permitting, providing a new era of entertaiment for the College and Yankton culture. It contained formal Italian landscaping with enclosing hedge, garden wall and terraced stage.
Clarke Observatory
The Yankton College Clarke Astronomical Observatory was the gift of Edward L. Clarke, in memory of his father, Joseph. It cost $2,800 to build and was fitted with a seven-inch refractor-type telescope, one of the largest in the State. The foundation is said to be "twenty feet deep and solid stone, its massive proportions being necessary to prevent the passing of street cars and trains on the adjacent railroad tracks from shaking the telescopes out of equilibrium." It was used for astronomy classes and also extensively in the early programs of the government in detecting orbiting satellites.
Other Campus Buildings & Facilities
Ward Hall
Lay Library
Fargo College Memorial Building
Forbes Hall of Science
Crane-Youngworth Field
Lloyd Library
Warren Campus Center
Dormitories
Kingsbury Hall for Women
Look Hall for Men
Durand Hall
Elm Hall
Hail! Yankton College!
Verse 1
Hail! Yankton College!
Noble and strong;
To thee, with loyal hearts
We raise our song;
Swelling to heaven loud,
Our praises ring!
Hail! Yankton College!
To thee we sing.
Verse 2
Hail! Yankton College!
Guide of our youth;
Lead thou thy children on
To light and truth;
Thee, when death summons us
Others will praise!
Hail! Yankton College!
Through endless days.
Historical Timeline
1882-First classes began with five students
1883-Forty-three students attended by the end of the first year. Teacher's course was inaugerated.
1884-Joseph Ward inagurated as College president. 103 students are enrolled and taught by seven teachers. Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) were formed. Aristonian Women's Literary Society was formed.
1885-Inscription for College bell written. Library contained 1,500 volumes. The Yankton Student began as the first student newspaper in Dakota Territory. Subscription was 45 cents per year.
1886-Tuition was Fall ($15), Winter ($12) and Spring ($10)
1887-Students join in planting trees on campus. The first intercollegiate debate was held in Vermillion and included YC students from the Oratorical Association. The first commencement was held in June. Edward H. Pound was the first and only graduate in Theology that year. William J. McMurtry joined the faculty and becomes Dean of the College serving until his death in 1927. Tennis inaugerated as the first intercollegiate competitive sport around this time.
1888-Ground broke and construction began for Dakin Hall, a women's dormitory.
1889-"Free" scholarships are offered to one graduate from each high school in South Dakota. First intercollegiate football competition was held at the old depot grounds east of Yankton where YC loses 12-0 to the University of South Dakota. President and Founder of Yankton College, Joseph Ward died at age 52.
1890-Alice Reynolds Kingsbury was the first woman to graduate, then was appointed instructor of French. "Free" tuition for children of clergymen in South Dakota or Nebraska and one year of "free" tuition to a student from each county in South Dakota or Nebraska. Thegn Men's Literary Society was formed.
1892-Albert Tallman Free became the second President. First intercollegiate track competition held on a regular basis.
1893-Ground-breaking ceremony held for Ward Hall.
1894-Clarke Observatory opened. First regular football season started in the fall.
1895-Rev. Henry Kimball Warren became third President.
1897-A women's physical training course is added.
1898-Baseball inaugerated as an intercollegiate sport.
1900-First "Opening Day" exercises was held, a forerunner to Fall Convocation.
1901-Crane Gymnasium opened. Five acres are purchased for an athletic park, later known as Crane Field. George Harrison Durand joined the faculty as professor of English.
1903-Basketball inaugerated as intercollegiate sport.
1904-Y-Club was organized by John L. Griffith, coach and director of physical education, who founded the Drake Relays. Adelphian Men's Literary Society was formed. Cornerstone for a new library was laid. First Founder's Day was observed on the anniversary of Joseph Ward's birthday, May 5. Lee N. Dailey was appointed Conservatory director, a position he held for 43 years. College seal was adopted.
1905-Lay Library is dedicated.
1906-Germane Sodales Women's Literary Society was formed.
1908-First Commencement play, The Comedy of Errors, was performed on an outdoor stage. Sarah Wood Ward, wife of Joseph Ward, died.
1911-The first Okihe, the student yearbook, was published.
1914-Dakin Hall burned to the ground.
1915-A central heating plant was added. Kingsbury Hall for Women was dedicated. Garden Terrace Theatre was dedicated and A Merchant of Venice was performed. The first issue of the alumni publication, the quarterly Yanktonais was published.
1916-"Greyhound" athletic nickname and mascot proposed. YC, Huron College and Dakota Wesleyan University form the new South Dakota Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
1917-Women's Glee Club organized. YC chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, national honorary forensics fraternity chartered. First Pioneer Day was observed.
1918-Miss Pioneer Day was established.
1920-Men's Glee Club was established.
1921-The first Kronithonitollithron Banquet was held on Pioneer Day in October.
1923-Gregg Evans and Harry Savage join the faculty and Carl Youngworth was named Coach.
1924-The YC Orchestra is established as a permanent organization.
1925-George W. Nash was inaugerated as fourth President. Chapter of Theta Alpha Phi, national honorary dramatics fraternity was chartered. Enrollment tops 300. Howling Thirteen is established.
1928-Pi Gamma Mu, national social science honorary society is chartered. Hazing is curbed as a result of a "freshman revolt." Paddling is banned. Beanies worn only until Pioneer Day.
1930-Forbes Hall of Science opened. Howling Thirteen became Howling Thirty to support athletic contests.
1931-"Smokey Joe" Mendel '31 tied the world record for the 100-yard dash at 9.5 seconds in Huron. YC merges with Fargo College, a Congregational Church of North Dakota. Look Hall, a men's dormitory opened.
1932-Redfield College merged with Yankton College, becoming the School of Theology.
1933-Hail! Yankton College! is published.
1937-First Parent's Day was held.
1940-Joseph Lyle McCorrison, Jr., the fifth President arrived.
1942-Lifetime Pass was given to the Letterwinners who were graduated.
1946-James Clark Graham became the sixth President.
1947-Barrack apartments were added for the married students.
1948-Nash Gymnasium was dedicated.
1949-The Greyhound, the student yearbook, became an annual publication.
1955-Adrian Rondileau became the seventh President.
1962-The School of Theology closed. Donald B. Ward, the founder's grandson, became the eighth President. Bruno Beghe's sculpter of Rev. Joseph Ward was placed in the Hall of Congress in Washington, D.C.
1964-Durand Hall, the co-ed dormitory, opened.
1965-Elm Hall, a men's dormitory, opened.
1967-Warren Campus Center opened.
1969-Crane Field is renamed Crane-Youngworth Field.
1970-Lloyd Library opened. Fred S. Honkala became the ninth President.
1972-The Women's Sports Program began in basketball and volleyball.
1973-Alfred M. Gibbens became the tenth President.
1977-Orlan Mitchell became the eleventh President. The Greyhounds were voted the College Team of the Year by the South Dakota Sportswriters.
1984-Edward Couch became the twelfth President. Yankton College closed its doors December 21.
1985-Final Commencement held in June. Don C. Peterson became the thirteenth President.
1988-The campus became a camp for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons.
1989-W.F. Stanage became the fourteenth President. The "College Without Walls" program began. College office moved to a downtown Yankton location.
1997-Yankton College partnered with Yankton High School and the City of Yankton to form a common-use facility in Yankton where YC office and YC Alumni Hall are located.
Additional historical information on Yankton College and the City of Yankton can be found in the following books sold at the Yankton College office:
Yankton College by William J. McMurtry
Joseph Ward of Dakota by George Harrison Durand
Yankton Celebrates: The Centennial of South Dakota 1889-1989 by Don Allan
Yankton College: The Continuing Story by Robert F. Karolevitz
For more information on the history of Yankton College, phone toll-free: (866) 665-3661; email: info@yanktoncollege.org or visit: 1801 Summit St., Door #9, Yankton, SD.
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