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Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
II. ORGANIZATION OF SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
A. PRESIDENTS
The following persons have given leadership to the college [The Church Annual 1939, p. 87;
Shenandoah University, http://www.su.edu/office-of-the-president/past-presidents/]:
Rev. Abraham Paul Funkhouser, A.B., D.D., 1878-1881—During the Civil War Reconstruction
Period in Dayton, Va., Funkhouser and Jay Newton Fries organized a primary school in Dayton,
Va., Shenandoah Seminary, to teach small children the three Rs, as well as specialized subjects of
higher education.
Rev. Jay Newton Fries, A.M., 1875-1878; 1885-1887—After serving as a teacher and
administrator for 10 years, Fries became president of the newly renamed Shenandoah Institute.
Rev. W. J. Zuck, A.M., 1881-82—[not listed as a past president by Shenandoah University]
Rev. George P. Hott, A.M., 1883-1884; 1887-1896—Under Hott’s leadership, the Virginia
Conference of the U.B. Church agreed to maintain a permanent fund to support Shenandoah.
Prof. I. H. Sonedecker, 1884-85— [not listed as a past president by Shenandoah University]
Rev. Elmer U. Hoenshel, A.M., 1896-1910—Hoenshel built on the expanded curriculum and
campus Hott established, hiring new faculty and growing enrollment. In 1902, the school became
Shenandoah Collegiate Institute and School of Music.
Prof. James H. Ruebush, M.Mus., 1910-22—Ruebush, who had been head of the music school,
became the school’s leader and worked to construct a four-story brick building with classroom,
gymnasium, and dormitories to accommodate the school’s growth.
Rev. David Thomas Gregory, D.D., 1922-26—A Shenandoah graduate himself, Gregory helped
the institution receive junior college accreditation. In 1925, the school became Shenandoah
College and Conservatory of Music. Rev. Dr. Gregory eventually became a bishop.
Rev. Arthur L. Maiden, D.D., 1926-30—Maiden, who had been academic dean, became president
and entered into a new lease contract with the church to operate the school, pay the bills, and
assume responsibility for all operations.
Rev. Vernon L. Phillips, A.M., 1930-33—Phillips recommended that Shenandoah College and
Conservatory of Music be incorporated separately so the conservatory could grant 4-year degrees,
though no action was taken.
Mr. Elmer N. Funkhouser, President of Board of Trustees and Acting President, 1933-35; 1942-
43—President of the Board of Trustees, Funkhouser was asked to serve as absentee president
while a search for a new president was conducted.
Rev. Wade S. Miller, B.D., 1935-42—Miller and the Board of Trustees secured approval from the
State Board of Education for the conservatory to confer 4-year degrees. Miller also dropped the
high school department.
Lycurgus P. Hill, 1943-1952—Under Hill’s leadership, the Southern Association of Colleges and
Secondary Schools accepted Shenandoah College for full membership. Hill did, however, predict
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 86
II. ORGANIZATION OF SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY
A. PRESIDENTS
The following persons have given leadership to the college [The Church Annual 1939, p. 87;
Shenandoah University, http://www.su.edu/office-of-the-president/past-presidents/]:
Rev. Abraham Paul Funkhouser, A.B., D.D., 1878-1881—During the Civil War Reconstruction
Period in Dayton, Va., Funkhouser and Jay Newton Fries organized a primary school in Dayton,
Va., Shenandoah Seminary, to teach small children the three Rs, as well as specialized subjects of
higher education.
Rev. Jay Newton Fries, A.M., 1875-1878; 1885-1887—After serving as a teacher and
administrator for 10 years, Fries became president of the newly renamed Shenandoah Institute.
Rev. W. J. Zuck, A.M., 1881-82—[not listed as a past president by Shenandoah University]
Rev. George P. Hott, A.M., 1883-1884; 1887-1896—Under Hott’s leadership, the Virginia
Conference of the U.B. Church agreed to maintain a permanent fund to support Shenandoah.
Prof. I. H. Sonedecker, 1884-85— [not listed as a past president by Shenandoah University]
Rev. Elmer U. Hoenshel, A.M., 1896-1910—Hoenshel built on the expanded curriculum and
campus Hott established, hiring new faculty and growing enrollment. In 1902, the school became
Shenandoah Collegiate Institute and School of Music.
Prof. James H. Ruebush, M.Mus., 1910-22—Ruebush, who had been head of the music school,
became the school’s leader and worked to construct a four-story brick building with classroom,
gymnasium, and dormitories to accommodate the school’s growth.
Rev. David Thomas Gregory, D.D., 1922-26—A Shenandoah graduate himself, Gregory helped
the institution receive junior college accreditation. In 1925, the school became Shenandoah
College and Conservatory of Music. Rev. Dr. Gregory eventually became a bishop.
Rev. Arthur L. Maiden, D.D., 1926-30—Maiden, who had been academic dean, became president
and entered into a new lease contract with the church to operate the school, pay the bills, and
assume responsibility for all operations.
Rev. Vernon L. Phillips, A.M., 1930-33—Phillips recommended that Shenandoah College and
Conservatory of Music be incorporated separately so the conservatory could grant 4-year degrees,
though no action was taken.
Mr. Elmer N. Funkhouser, President of Board of Trustees and Acting President, 1933-35; 1942-
43—President of the Board of Trustees, Funkhouser was asked to serve as absentee president
while a search for a new president was conducted.
Rev. Wade S. Miller, B.D., 1935-42—Miller and the Board of Trustees secured approval from the
State Board of Education for the conservatory to confer 4-year degrees. Miller also dropped the
high school department.
Lycurgus P. Hill, 1943-1952—Under Hill’s leadership, the Southern Association of Colleges and
Secondary Schools accepted Shenandoah College for full membership. Hill did, however, predict
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 86
