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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
introduced me as Colonel Wilkins, as Dr. Howard had used this title several times in his speech. He
gave me a good introduction, and I thanked him sincerely. But I had no intention of confining my
argument to 5 minutes. Dr. Howard had talked at least 30 minutes and so would I, or until I went
through all of my notes. I began my summation.
Bishop Dennis, I wish to thank you and the other distinguished representatives of the
EUB National Church for permitting us to present our Shenandoah College case. I wish to
congratulate Dr. Howard for his eloquence, but I seriously question his facts and knowledge
about Shenandoah College. Two years ago, the sixty-four dollar question was, ‘Shall
Shenandoah College and Shenandoah Conservatory of Music live or die?’ Positive-thinking
men and women with visions, wisdom, courage and faith—members of your Virginia
Conference and the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce College
Committee—decided that Shenandoah should live.
After due consideration, you gave the Virginia Conference proposal your blessing. And,
I might add, they are your people. Shenandoah College filled a desperate need after the
terrible devastation of the Civil War and for over 75 years since has contributed so much to
this great country of ours and to the establishment of your Church in America, which I
believe, is the only one indigenous to American soil. That is a grand record of long and
faithful service. Shenandoah has not had enough support from its community partly because
it is surrounded by many other big colleges. Shenandoah needs a new home and a growing
community, and Winchester and Frederick County need a college. We have had none since
ours were burned or closed during the Civil War. Winchester is too close to the West
Virginia line to obtain a State College, but Winchester is in the center of your Virginia
Conference which extends into West Virginia and Maryland. Shenandoah has tremendous
support throughout this area.
Since World War II, Winchester has been on the move. Yes, we stood virtually still for
many years, but now we are forging ahead with a new Chamber of Commerce, Industrial
Development Committee, Retail Merchants Association, new water and sewer plants, new
parking lots, new reservoir, a 200-acre park, new public schools, 400-bed hospital, and
many clean and desirable industries; and last but not least, a new national interstate
highway (I-81) proposed by our door, plus six other highways that cross in historic
Winchester, the first city west of the Blue Ridge, the hub for northwestern Virginia and
eastern West Virginia, the Crossroads of the Upper South, and home of the Great
Shenandoah Valley Apple Blossom Festival. Give Shenandoah a chance and let it advance
into the future, hand in hand, with Winchester, Frederick County, and the EUB Church.
Our community has over $250,000 in pledges and over $100,000 in cash, and your
Virginia Conference has made a good start on its pledges. They are enthusiastic and ready
to go! This project cannot fail with such men as Frank Armstrong, Jr., President of National
Fruit Product Company; Fred L. Glaize, Jr., President of Giaize and Brothers and Old
Dominion Savings and Loan; Clarence F. Schenck, President of Schenck Food Company;
Honorable Harry F. Byrd, U.S. Senator from Virginia; Jake Yost, President of Farmers and
Merchants National Bank; and hundreds and hundreds of other outstanding citizens and
industries. With such help, I know we can support Shenandoah! We will grow and prosper
together in Winchester.
Frankly, gentlemen, I don’t see how you can in good conscience withdraw your
permission to save Shenandoah at this late date! We have raised our funds, the Virginia
Conference has approved the move overwhelmingly three times, you have previously given
your word to your people of the Virginia Conference, to Shenandoah College and
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960 46
introduced me as Colonel Wilkins, as Dr. Howard had used this title several times in his speech. He
gave me a good introduction, and I thanked him sincerely. But I had no intention of confining my
argument to 5 minutes. Dr. Howard had talked at least 30 minutes and so would I, or until I went
through all of my notes. I began my summation.
Bishop Dennis, I wish to thank you and the other distinguished representatives of the
EUB National Church for permitting us to present our Shenandoah College case. I wish to
congratulate Dr. Howard for his eloquence, but I seriously question his facts and knowledge
about Shenandoah College. Two years ago, the sixty-four dollar question was, ‘Shall
Shenandoah College and Shenandoah Conservatory of Music live or die?’ Positive-thinking
men and women with visions, wisdom, courage and faith—members of your Virginia
Conference and the Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce College
Committee—decided that Shenandoah should live.
After due consideration, you gave the Virginia Conference proposal your blessing. And,
I might add, they are your people. Shenandoah College filled a desperate need after the
terrible devastation of the Civil War and for over 75 years since has contributed so much to
this great country of ours and to the establishment of your Church in America, which I
believe, is the only one indigenous to American soil. That is a grand record of long and
faithful service. Shenandoah has not had enough support from its community partly because
it is surrounded by many other big colleges. Shenandoah needs a new home and a growing
community, and Winchester and Frederick County need a college. We have had none since
ours were burned or closed during the Civil War. Winchester is too close to the West
Virginia line to obtain a State College, but Winchester is in the center of your Virginia
Conference which extends into West Virginia and Maryland. Shenandoah has tremendous
support throughout this area.
Since World War II, Winchester has been on the move. Yes, we stood virtually still for
many years, but now we are forging ahead with a new Chamber of Commerce, Industrial
Development Committee, Retail Merchants Association, new water and sewer plants, new
parking lots, new reservoir, a 200-acre park, new public schools, 400-bed hospital, and
many clean and desirable industries; and last but not least, a new national interstate
highway (I-81) proposed by our door, plus six other highways that cross in historic
Winchester, the first city west of the Blue Ridge, the hub for northwestern Virginia and
eastern West Virginia, the Crossroads of the Upper South, and home of the Great
Shenandoah Valley Apple Blossom Festival. Give Shenandoah a chance and let it advance
into the future, hand in hand, with Winchester, Frederick County, and the EUB Church.
Our community has over $250,000 in pledges and over $100,000 in cash, and your
Virginia Conference has made a good start on its pledges. They are enthusiastic and ready
to go! This project cannot fail with such men as Frank Armstrong, Jr., President of National
Fruit Product Company; Fred L. Glaize, Jr., President of Giaize and Brothers and Old
Dominion Savings and Loan; Clarence F. Schenck, President of Schenck Food Company;
Honorable Harry F. Byrd, U.S. Senator from Virginia; Jake Yost, President of Farmers and
Merchants National Bank; and hundreds and hundreds of other outstanding citizens and
industries. With such help, I know we can support Shenandoah! We will grow and prosper
together in Winchester.
Frankly, gentlemen, I don’t see how you can in good conscience withdraw your
permission to save Shenandoah at this late date! We have raised our funds, the Virginia
Conference has approved the move overwhelmingly three times, you have previously given
your word to your people of the Virginia Conference, to Shenandoah College and
Wilkins on History of S.C., 1952-1960 46
