ARCHIVES
THE CECIL W. ROBBINS LIBRAR^
U0UIS8URG COLLEGE
^yi§§y»G,W-C. 27549
“Who
Never Turned
His Back
Hut
Marched
Breast Forward”
Volume VI
LOUISBURG COLLEGE, LOUISBURG, N. C., MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1947
Number 5
President Patten Dies In Midst Of Plans And Labors
Improvements Planned
By Late President
Of his partially executed plans
and only envisioned dreams for the
development of Alma Mater, phys
ically, academically, and religious
ly, perhaps President Patten’s most
notable recent endeavor was his
timely-born aspiration of bringing
Louisburg College into the South
ern Association of Secondary
Schools and Colleges. This effort,
deprived in its infancy of its cre
ator, if effected, would insure the
acceptance of credits from Louis
burg College on an equality with
those of colleges and universities
throughout the nation. In his pro
gram for improvement this end was
ardently his goal.
A building for science with a
cafeteria combined was among
physical additions promised from
the government through his efforts.
Other plans were expansion of li
brary facilities, beautification of
the campus by hard surfacing the
circle and by general landscaping,
and a graded athletic field. Of the
Methodist College Advance funds,
he had announced $100,000 as the
sum to be used to provide a phys-
(Continued on Page 4)
His €^hristmas (Srrrttngs
(jThrough She ^rars
Carefully planning and phras
ing of his Christmas greetings
throush the years were apparently a
cherished experience of Dr. Patten’s.
These messages of Louisburg years,
1939-1946. reflect the march of
events as well as of his own think
ing.
In 1939 the greeting carried a
group picture of the college stu
dents and the cheering words
“Christmas Season brings a flood
of Joy and Gladness into our lives.
At the turn of the year an old
college with its endless procession
of youth is facing forward.”
In contrast with the war clouds
that had just gathered over our
nation in 1941, the greeting that
year showed the cozy hearthside
scene in the Patten home with
“May the Joy of the Hearthside,
The Peace of the Infant Child, The
Goodwill of the Serving Christ,
Enflame our Hearts to Kindness, To
Rejoice and to be Grateful.”
With the shocked world of 1942
seeing war a stark reality as never
before, came a different note:
“Might, glory with victories, . . .
Strikes to crush Freedom, Peace
and Good Will. ... To thwart such
human disaster Centuries ago a
child was born Possessed with love
divine To inflame the souls of men
(Continued on Page 3)
EDITORIAL
With the passing of Dr. Walter Patten came the end of a great
life. He had devoted himself wholeheartedly to what he beheved
was necessary for a true Christian college life, and ever present
in his mind was the desire for gi'eatness anid prestige for Louis
burg College. Facing him was a tremendous job of rebuilding,
reorganizing, and refurbishing. With a will he tackled the
job and made phenomenal gains. At a time when his hopes
seemed most likely to be fulfilled, he was taken from us.
No grieving, no tears, no remorse can help now in our loss.
We must be thankful to have had a great person among us. We
must realize that his presence with us was an inspiration and a
blessing. To say that all is lost would be the dropping of the
torch. We must take his unfinished work and carry it on to the
best of our ability. Such would be his desire.
We must not let that cause be forgotten in our grief, but must
give thanks that we had such a leader to show us the path of
achievement. As the soldier takes the banner from the fallen
leader and carries it on in the face of difficulties, so we must
take his works begun and give them the utmost of our efforts.
A PRAYER
March 8, 1947
The Thought of the Last Public Utterance of President Patten
(Note: This prayer was spoken at a ceremony at the Marine Recruiting Station, Raleigh,
about two hours before President Patten’s sudden death at his home in Louisburg. The cere
mony was an awarding of a posthumous medal of heroism to Pfc. Albert E. Smoak, Aberdeen
alumnus of Louisburg, killed on Iwo Jima in 1945.
The prayer so deeply engraved itself upon the consciousness of Dean Rainwater, present on
the occasion, that he later recalled it clearly enough to attempt this phrasing.)
We are grateful, Father, for the millions of Thy children ivho have so
recently given themselves in a spirit of altruism and for their unselfish
sacrifices.
We are liketvise thankful, our Father, for individuals who stand out
among us as believers in the great ideals of Thy Kingdom. We are grate
ful for their leadership and inspiration, for their untiring efforts and
valiant hearts.
Especially are we grateful, our Father, for the young man whose
faith in Thy high ideals and whose unselfish sacrifice for them have
brought us together today. As we think of him and others who have
sacrificed so nobly, we realize that they have left for us a legacy of truth.
. . . May we accept tnis legacy in a spirit of dedication. May we be faith
ful to it, realizing our obligations to preserve, to enrich, and to pass it
to the generations of men following us.
We are grateful for the parents of the young man ivhom we honor
today, and for all members of the family. May they have consolation in
realizing that their son and brother gave himself for the fine ideals of
home, country, and church; and may they be strengthened to continue to
nourish the ideals for which, he gave himself.
These things we ask in the Master’s name and for His sake. Amen.
l*rCsi(U‘nt of IjOiii.sbiirs Collcfio Dies
Dr. W'alter Patten
Excerpts From President
Patten’s Messages On
Various Occasions
“People do not wisely seek edu
cation to amass material wealth but
to enrich life. . . . Are we possessed
with a constant love for all man
kind ? Are we rich in the capacity
of our souls to recognize and share
in the beauty of the world, to dis
cern the good from the evil, the
eternal from the temporal, to find
joy, peace, and happiness in the
simple things of life?” (Orienta
tion, 1946)
“All we can do is to open the
door, open the windows and let you
see the stars, dream your dreams
and see your visions. You of this
class have the greatest opportuni
ties of any class ever to graduate
from this school — even greater
than that of the class of last year,
for you have inherited the victory,
(Continued on Page 4)
Ends Comes As
Severe Shock
Dr. Walter Patten, president of
Louisburg College, died at his home
in Louisburg Saturday afternoon,
March 8, at 5:30. His death came
suddenly from a heart attack.
Dr. Patten, 66, had that after
noon gone to Raleigh with Mrs.
Patten and Dean Rainwater to at
tend memorial services held for Pfc.
Albert E. Smoak, Louisburg alum
nus, killed in action on Iwo Jima.
Dr. Patten had offered the prayer.
In less than an hour after return
ing to Louisburg, Dr. Patten had
succumbed to an acute attack of
the heart.
Fre.sidoucy, Past orates.
Parentage, Ktliioation, (MHces
He had been president of Louis
burg College since 1939. Previously
he had served in pastorates in
Oriental; for two terms of service
in Chapel Hill, a total of ten years;
Greenville; New Bern; Fayette
ville; and Wilmington.
He was born in Bridgeville, Del
aware, son of the late Wellington
Patten and Mrs. Ellen Frances Han
cock Patten. He received his Bache
lor of Arts Degree from Wesleyan
University, Middleton, Conn., in
1907, later being honored by his
Alma Mater with the degree of
Doctor of Divinity in 1928.
Dr. Patten was one of the lead
ing men in the Methodist Confer
ence, secretary of the board of
missions, 1921 to 1927; president
of the board, 1931 to 1939; vice-
presidenc, ijw;> untii“nTs death.
(Continued on Page 3)
l>re.sideiit Walter Patten in Formal, Administrative, and Friendly Hole.
Traditions Established
By President Patten
Among lingering memories of the
late President Patten, some are
doubtless those of his appearance
on certain occasions that came to
be tradition.
(trionfation
Louisburg College scholastic
years began with the president’s
well-remembered custom at orien
tation of giving new students a
warmth of welcome in his first plat
form address of the yaar. His words
on this occasion bespoke a charac
teristic friendliness and optimism.
Cliristmas Keadin^;-
At the Christmas season came
his reading of Dicken’s Christmas
Carol, in a voice flexible and in
terpretative, synchronized with
slides of early Victorian engrav
ings. This event was followed by the
serving of doughnuts and coffee
during a genial social hour.
Patten Tea
A fui’ther tradition was the tea
(Continued on Page 3)
Various Expressions Testify Concerning President Patten
Dr. Patten’s passing is a loss to
the college, the church, and the com
munity as a whole that cannot be
estimated.
His eagerness and anxiety over
the planned program for the col
lege kept him always on the alert,
though, as busy as he was at all
times. Dr. Patten was never too
preoccupied to have a word for ev
eryone who came his way. I his
postman, found that to be a rule
with him to which no exception ex
isted. He took time out to speak a
pleasant word or to joke a member
of the faculty or student body and
to often kid me about his undeliv
ered mail.
His body and soul have departed
from this earth; but his memory
and good works will live on.—
Citizen of Louisburg.
In the passing of Dr. Walter
Patten, Louisburg lost a strong ad
vocate of every movement for the
betterment of its town and citizen
ship. His stand on every issue was
positive. A clear-cut, logical think
er, he went direct to the heart of
every question.
His keen sense of humor, his
ability and his willingness to do his
part made him a most valuable
member of the Louisburg Lions
Club. Regular in his attendance, he
was often called upon to serve the
club and he always performed ex
ceedingly well.
Not only was Walter Patten a
success as President of Louisburg
College but also a great leader for
the cause of righteousness. He had
much to do with eliminating and
keeping closed the Franklin County
ABC Stores. A power in his own
right, his energy, courage, and de
termination gave confidence to his
colleagues.
The good influence of Dr. Patten
has touched the lives of many who
are, and will continue to be, better
citizens because of his example.—A
member of the Lions Club.
Dr. Walter Patten seemed to
hurry toward his very last hour
with the conviction that a Christian
should, “Do with your might, what
your hands find to do.” He must
also have thought often of the
hymn, “Work for the Night Is Com
ing.” He was best known as a val
iant promoter of “impossible”
causes in the Kingdom. Splendid
victories were achieved for the
Kingdom and human welfare in
Pamlico and Pitt counties, at the
university center in Chapel Hill,
and finally at Louisburg College.
However, those who knew him best
will remember him most fondly as
a Christian brother who was “gen
erous to a fault,” and whose love
for people could not resist any ap
peal from those who suffered need.
The day after his death I saw his
golf clubs and fishing tackle stand
ing, long unused, in a corner, while
from his work-desk I picked up a
card of the kind he used in convinc
ing many Methodists of the “hu
man welfare” opportunity which
the support of Louisburg College
offered. Like John Wesley he parted
company with leisure. And, like a
few' others he gave his life to
Christian youth through Louisburg
College. “Greater love hath no man
than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends.”—A brother
minister.
Dr. Walter Patten has rendered
a highly constructive and accept
able service as president of Louis
burg College since his election in
1939 to the moment of his unex
pected death Saturday evening,
March 8, 1947. For two years prior
to becoming the executive head of
the institution he served as public
relations secretary.
Incident to an expansion pro-
gi-am which was succeeded by the
depression and other adversities,
the college continued several years
under an embarrassing load of debt
and the need of physical improve
ments. Under the wise and tireless
leadership and labors of our late
president, together with the cooper
ation of a loyal board of trustees
(Continued on Page 2)