State Teachers College News Letter
Elizabeth City, N. C„ October, 1958 Number 1
140 FRESHMEN BEGIN 1958-59 SESSION
S. T. C. President
Dr. R. N. Ridley
In the first issue of the Newletter
since niy coming to State Teachers
Cillege, I extend sincere greetings to
all. The Newsletter is a medium for
the disemination of news and the
sharing of opinions about our college.
My family and I hare happy to share
with you the news of our pleasure in
heing accepted as a part of the State
Teachers College Family and the Eliz
abeth City Community. We have en
joyed the warmtli of your greetings,
the cooperation with which you have
worked, and the general friendliness
of the people in and around the col
lege community.
We would share also the opinion
that our stay at State Teachers College
will bring to us the opportunity for
many rewarding experiences, if we
do our share. Again, we return to news
and say, “We plan to do our share”.
We shall look forward to reading
the Newsletter in order to keep up
with news and opinions about the
State Teachers College Family. May
the work which all of us must do as
students, staff and friends of the col
lege bring to us many joys as well as
confidence and pleasure in working
and living together.
Very sincerely yours,
Walter N. Ridley
President
freshmen in candle-
lighting CEREMONY
The Annual Candlelighting Service
Was given in Moore Hall on Sunday
September 14 at 6;30 P.M. Freshmen
representing youths in search of light
Were the main participants, and Pres
ident Walter N. Ridley spoke on “Let
Us Have Light.”
The prelude, “I Call to Thee Lord
Jesus Christ” was followed by the
processional, “Psalm XIX,” and the
Lord’s Prayer (Malotte) was sung by
Joyce A. Welch.
(See CEREMONY, page 3)
PANELISTS STRESS
COMMUNITY COOPERA
TION
The Mayor of Elizabeth City, The
Honorable Levin Culpepper, Mrs.
Edna H. Mitchell, President of the
Northeastern Federation of Women’s
Clubs, Superintendent John H. Moore,
of Pasquotank County Schools and a
Trustee of the college; George Attix,
of the Elizabeth City Chamber of
Commerce, and Dr. N. H. Shope, Su
perintendent of Ehzabeth City Public
Schools, participated in a panel on
“Community Cooperation” before the
weekly assembly of students and facul
ty at Elizabeth City State Teachers
College,
Mayor Culpepper stressed the need
for closer cooperation between the
community and the college as he gave
recognition to efforts of the past and
to future responsibilities for broaden-
the scope of activities to meet present
day demands. Today’s needs for shar
ed services in improving the social
and cultural life of this community
are even greater than before. The
community looks to the college for
help in meeting problems and for lead
ership in cultural progress. We feel
very strongly the impact of the inter
dependence of college and commun
ity”, said Mayor Culpepper.
A review of previous college-spon-
sored activities in cooperation with
church, civic welfare, and social-cul-
tural activities in the Elizabeth City
community was made by Mrs. Edna
H. Mitchell, a graduate of the college
now serving as Head of the College s
Department of English, who spoke
for community club groups.
Indications of progress through the
expanding college curriculum were
pointed out by Trustee John H. Moore.
Reference was made to the provisions
to equip the college with facilities for
Faculty Welcomes
Freshmen
The annual Reception to acquaint
the State Teachers College Faculty
with the new students was given in
Cale Hall on September 7.
There was no receiving line; the
affair was informal. The faculty were
arranged in small conversational
groups to whom the freshmen were
introduced by junior counselors. They
were then left to chat briefly before
going on to another group.
It was felt by faculty and students
that the hour was very enjoyable and
that it gave the opportunity for the
two groups to become acquainted in
a casual manner.
A faculty committee and junior
counselors were responsible for the
planning and service.
COSMETOLOGY DEPARTMENT
HOLDS OPEN HOUSE
On Sunday, October 12, from three
to five p.m., the Cosmetology Depart
ment of the State Teachers College
held open house. More than two hun
dred guests visited the modernly-
equipped center.
The welcome to visitors was given
by the president of the class, Laura
Wright, and response was made by
Mrs. E. A. Eaton.
A highlight of the afternoon was the
installation of the officers of the club
by Mrs. Blanch B. Guilford. Officers
are: Laura Wright, president; Mary
Kee, vice-president; Katrina Jordan,
secretary; Vandella Alston, assistant
secretary; Velma Lassiter, treasurer,
and Maude Draughn, business man-
At the formal opening of the Col
lege on September 5, at 1;00 P.M.,
Dr. Walter N. Ridley, who had ar
rived just four days before, welcomed
a group of more than one hundred
freshman students. In doing so, he
urged them to think seriously of the
importance of a good start and to ac
cept their responsibilities as beginning
college students.
After the assembly, the students, di
rected by personnel leaders, were
divided into groups, assigned to jun
ior counselors, and taken on a tour
of the campus. When several places
of interest had been visited, including
the office of the president, the toiu
ended.
In the evening a Freshman Mixer
was held in the Recreation Hall. A
large number of new students ex
changed greetings and participated in
games.
A good night’s rest and an appetiz
ing breakfast helped the students to
prepare for the placement tests sched
ule for Saturday morning. Language
and Reading Tests were held during
the day. The change came in the
evening when the group enjoyed a
movie in Moore Auditorium.
(See FRESHMEN, page 2)
Former President
Retires
Sidney David Williams, fomier pres
ident of the Elizabeth City State
Teachers College, was born in Macon,
Georgia. He obtained his degree of
bachelor of arts from Atlanta Uni
versity, and his master of arts from
Teachers College, Columbia Univer
sity. He later studied at the Univer
sity of Chicago.
During Dr. Williams’ educational
career, he was an instructor of science
and mathematics; an athletic coach;
a high school principal; and from 1929
-1945 dean of this college. In 194.5
he became president of the Elizabeth
City State Teachers College at which
he served until his retirement in May
19.58.
His prestige and interest in the col
lege made possible many accomplish
ments during his administration. Two
new dormitories, a science building,
an infirmary, and a Fine Arts and
Physical Education Building, which
now bears his name, were erected.
The college has also been approved by
the most outstanding rating boards
for Teachers Colleges in the United
States.
Near the time of his departure,
many campus and community organi
zations honored him. There were gifts,
teas, dinners, and other beautiful tri
butes.
•iMaude Draughn
(See PANELISTS, page 3)