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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
B. JAMES R. WILKINS, ET. AL.: SHENANDOAH COLLEGE IN TRANSITION, 1952-60
1. Years 1952-195436
Conflict with the Board, 1952. President Hill reported to the Conference Board of Trustees in
May 1952 that he foresaw extremely difficult times for Shenandoah College and Shenandoah
Conservatory of Music. Long-term debts, large operating deficits, and serious competition from nearby
colleges and state educational institutions were creating serious financial and morale problems.
President Hill presented a full page of typewritten recommendations. The crux of these were more
church financial support on a church per member basis, going to a full 4-year degree granting college,
etc. “A bold program was needed to save Shenandoah,” stated President Hill. Shenandoah was at a
serious crossroad in its long and useful life. The Board of Trustees, at a special meeting on April 2,
1952, discussed many possibilities: combining with Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania,
liquidating and closing forever, or trying to accommodate some of Hill’s recommendations. However,
they adjourned without a plan of action. No positive steps were taken. On June 2, 1952, President L. P.
Hill resigned, effective at once. The Board appointed an interim committee to operate the College-
Conservatory, consisting of the following: Floyd E. Fulk, who was the Virginia District Conference
Superintendent and a member of Board of Trustees, Chairman; Jack V. Tait, Director of Shenandoah
Conservatory of Music; C. H. Connor (College Dean); Forrest S. Racey, Business Manager; and Leota
Racey, Treasurer.
T. R. Brady. This committee only functioned from June 2, 2024 to June 10,
1952, at which time Dr. Troy R. Brady, an ordained minister of the EUB Church,
was elected president of Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music. Dr.
Brady called in Dr. Jesse P. Brogue, Executive President of the Association of
Junior Colleges, to counsel with the staff, faculty, and administration. The Southern
Association visited the College-Conservatory and made certain recommendations.
Dr. Brady tried many new approaches: recruiting students, offering better courses,
cutting expenses, and attempting to raise additional funds; but nothing seemed to
work according to plan. Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music had really fallen on hard
times. There was very little financial help from the EUB Denomination and only a limited amount from
the EUB Virginia Conference. Some trustees and members helped individually, but they were losing
hope and many felt they were just throwing good money after bad.
During the Civil War Reconstruction Period, 1875 to 1900, Shenandoah had filled a definite
place for primary and secondary education. Later it provided excellent practical programs in secondary,
high school, vocational training, college preparatory, and finally junior college. Then, there was the 4-
year Conservatory of Music program that had been recognized as one of the best in the Southeast.
Shenandoah was needed and had a place in the area’s educational community. Pre-World War II
training helped to keep Shenandoah operating as a Junior College during the years, 1939-46. Then
36 The text below is from James Richard Wilkins, The Impossible Task—A History of Shenandoah College and
Conservatory, 1875 to 1985, and the Moving and Rebuilding of the Colleges in Winchester, Virginia, 1955 to 1985:
Also, A Brief History of the Old John Kerr School and Early Education in the Winchester, Virginia, Area. J. R. Wilkins,
Winchester, c. 1985 [Wilkins 1985, pp. 21-22]. The Impossible Task is a history of Shenandoah University, which
Wilkins helped bring to Winchester. Wilkins was a businessman in Winchester and active in civic affairs until his death
in 1996.
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960 34
B. JAMES R. WILKINS, ET. AL.: SHENANDOAH COLLEGE IN TRANSITION, 1952-60
1. Years 1952-195436
Conflict with the Board, 1952. President Hill reported to the Conference Board of Trustees in
May 1952 that he foresaw extremely difficult times for Shenandoah College and Shenandoah
Conservatory of Music. Long-term debts, large operating deficits, and serious competition from nearby
colleges and state educational institutions were creating serious financial and morale problems.
President Hill presented a full page of typewritten recommendations. The crux of these were more
church financial support on a church per member basis, going to a full 4-year degree granting college,
etc. “A bold program was needed to save Shenandoah,” stated President Hill. Shenandoah was at a
serious crossroad in its long and useful life. The Board of Trustees, at a special meeting on April 2,
1952, discussed many possibilities: combining with Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania,
liquidating and closing forever, or trying to accommodate some of Hill’s recommendations. However,
they adjourned without a plan of action. No positive steps were taken. On June 2, 1952, President L. P.
Hill resigned, effective at once. The Board appointed an interim committee to operate the College-
Conservatory, consisting of the following: Floyd E. Fulk, who was the Virginia District Conference
Superintendent and a member of Board of Trustees, Chairman; Jack V. Tait, Director of Shenandoah
Conservatory of Music; C. H. Connor (College Dean); Forrest S. Racey, Business Manager; and Leota
Racey, Treasurer.
T. R. Brady. This committee only functioned from June 2, 2024 to June 10,
1952, at which time Dr. Troy R. Brady, an ordained minister of the EUB Church,
was elected president of Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music. Dr.
Brady called in Dr. Jesse P. Brogue, Executive President of the Association of
Junior Colleges, to counsel with the staff, faculty, and administration. The Southern
Association visited the College-Conservatory and made certain recommendations.
Dr. Brady tried many new approaches: recruiting students, offering better courses,
cutting expenses, and attempting to raise additional funds; but nothing seemed to
work according to plan. Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music had really fallen on hard
times. There was very little financial help from the EUB Denomination and only a limited amount from
the EUB Virginia Conference. Some trustees and members helped individually, but they were losing
hope and many felt they were just throwing good money after bad.
During the Civil War Reconstruction Period, 1875 to 1900, Shenandoah had filled a definite
place for primary and secondary education. Later it provided excellent practical programs in secondary,
high school, vocational training, college preparatory, and finally junior college. Then, there was the 4-
year Conservatory of Music program that had been recognized as one of the best in the Southeast.
Shenandoah was needed and had a place in the area’s educational community. Pre-World War II
training helped to keep Shenandoah operating as a Junior College during the years, 1939-46. Then
36 The text below is from James Richard Wilkins, The Impossible Task—A History of Shenandoah College and
Conservatory, 1875 to 1985, and the Moving and Rebuilding of the Colleges in Winchester, Virginia, 1955 to 1985:
Also, A Brief History of the Old John Kerr School and Early Education in the Winchester, Virginia, Area. J. R. Wilkins,
Winchester, c. 1985 [Wilkins 1985, pp. 21-22]. The Impossible Task is a history of Shenandoah University, which
Wilkins helped bring to Winchester. Wilkins was a businessman in Winchester and active in civic affairs until his death
in 1996.
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960 34
