History

On April 13, 2025, Reinhardt University dedicated Theora Westbook Cobb Commons, the beautifully appointed green space between the Bratton Bell Tower and the Bannister Glasshouse which overlooks Lake Mullenix. Theora Westbook Cobb came to Reinhardt by wagon from Hickory Flat, after her husband’s untimely death. From there, the history of the Cobb family and Reinhardt became inexorably intertwined. At the Cobb Commons’ dedication, Theora’s great-granddaughter, Susan Turner, recounted her family’s connection to and love of Reinhardt. The following are some of the remarks created by Susan and her sister, Mary Anne Turner Browne, for the occasion.

Ella Mae, Lawrence, Charles, and Theora Westbrook Cobb

“It is a true honor to have this beautiful space named and dedicated to Theora Westbrook Cobb, my great-grandmother. I’ve heard about Reinhardt University over the years but have learned much more since learning about The Commons. In 1883, when this school was founded, it was known as Reinhardt Academy, later to become Reinhardt College, and now Reinhardt University. As a college, Theora served it as the school’s librarian. From an article in a school publication some years ago, I learned that the school was unable to give her a salary, but that she would be compensated with a $15 a month allowance so that her three children could have speech and piano lessons.

Ella Mae and Lawrence Cobb

All three of Theora’s children, Lawrence, Ella Mae, and Charlie, attended Reinhardt College. As alumni, each served Reinhardt in varying capacities. Lawrence served on the Board of Trustees and managed the College’s farm which was approximately 500 acres. He was recorded as having said, ‘I walked all the lines and knew every fence post and which ones needed staples. When they did, I’d go to Luther Cline’s store and buy them…and go put them up.’ The farm provided employment for students working their way through school. It also produced a large portion of the food needed in the dining hall. Perhaps most importantly, Lawrence donated stock certificates which were used to build a scholarship fund in memory of Theora Cobb.

One other way that Lawrence supported Reinhardt is by donating athletic equipment. In fact, the first time that I heard about Reinhardt was when I was on a garage sale hunt with Lawrence. Of course, I called him ‘Grandpa.’ As Grandpa drove, I sat on the fold-down console between the two front seats…like I was riding a horse. It’s hard for me to believe that I’m old enough to remember a time when cars had no seatbelts! As we rode, we sang, ‘In the Good Ole Summer Time.’ Funny what the memory recalls. When we got to the sale, Grandpa saw several golf clubs stacked in the corner of the garage. I don’t remember exactly what they were asking for them, but it wasn’t much, so when Grandpa started negotiating for a lower price, I was very embarrassed. No doubt his thriftiness was one of the reasons he was able to generously support Reinhardt as well as his beloved United Methodist Church. When I got home from the garage sale, I asked my mom why Grandpa would want so many golf clubs. ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘He buys all kinds of sports equipment and donates it to Reinhardt College.’ She continued by saying, ‘Not long ago, I saw him take a new pair of shoes for one of the custodians whose shoes were worn out. Even as a little girl, those kind gestures were not wasted on me.

Following her education at Reinhardt, Ella Mae went to the University of Georgia to earn a teaching degree. She spent 44 years in the school system before retiring in 1966. While teaching in Canton, she ironically had an opportunity to teach a third grader named Charles Cobb, Jr., her nephew.

Because of her love for students and their education, it is no surprise that Ella Mae’s offering to Reinhardt was through her mother’s scholarship fund. Though only on a teacher’s income, she was able to be extremely generous to many individuals whom she seldom met. Her brothers credited this to Ella Mae’s investment savvy and her remarkable discipline with money, to which Ella Mae replied, ‘I wanted to do something for young people who couldn’t afford to attend college otherwise.’

Charles Cobb, Sr. served on Reinhardt’s Board of Trustees for over two decades.

Charlie Cobb served on Reinhardt’s Board of Trustees for 20 years. He held the office of vice chairman and frequently presided over the board in the absence of the chairman. At one point, the college faced some of its most difficult times. Student numbers began to fall. There was talk of closing the school or combining Reinhardt with another institution, but the Cobbs would have none of it. Charlie and Lawrence were instrumental in guiding the school through these challenges. No doubt, Charlie’s resilience in the face of such adversity served him well as he went on to serve as president of the Lion’s Club, co-president of the local PTA with Ella Mae, Administrative Board President of the First United Methodist Church of Canton, President of Canton Cotton Mills, a member of the Water Commission and eventually mayor of Canton.

All three siblings were successful investors, especially through the stock market. I was on another outing with Grandpa when he stopped at Lenox Square. I vividly remember he and I sitting on a concrete wall and staring up at the side of a building which might have been Rich’s or Davidsons, and I was totally bored. What were these letters and numbers and dots that were coursing across the building? Much later in life, I learned that it was called a ticker tape with stock quotes and trades. Even though I was clueless about the stock market then (and still am), I’m proud that the Cobb siblings’ knowledge of the market and their generous hearts ultimately benefited so many students here at Reinhardt.

Charles Cobb, Jr. (left) speaks with student Stuart Greene (RU-1975).

Charlie Cobb had a son named Charles Cobb, Jr. He too was very involved in the life of Reinhardt. Though having attended Georgia Tech and Harvard, Charles Jr. spent a great deal of his energy serving Reinhardt. When his father was vice-chairman of the Trustees, Charles Jr. joined the Board as a way of spending more time with his father. Over time, however, he developed a personal connection to Reinhardt and served on the Board for a total of 40 years. He also served as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Treasurer of the Executive Committee.

Charles was tickled when about a year ago, I [Mary Anne] emailed him that my husband, his sister and brother-in-law, and I were going to take a day trip to the Elijay/Jasper area and make a quick stop at Reinhardt on our way up. Much to our surprise and great pleasure, we never made it out of Waleska! When we arrived at this campus, we were met with quite the welcome from Ms. Bowles and several others! We had a delightful time of conversation with Dr. Roberts, and then we were served a fabulous lunch! We ended our visit with a personal tour of the entire campus. Obviously, Charles was behind this grand reception. He thought so highly of Reinhardt and wanted us to experience just a piece of why he loved it so much. We are happy that Charles Jr.’s son, Charlie Cobb, III, could be here today.

Evelyn Gordy Rankin and Theora Westbrook Cobb in front of Smith Johnson Hall.

In closing, I’d like to share one last story. When I was a little girl, I often went to my grandpa’s house on Piedmont Road, and sometimes I would go across the street and go swimming in the neighbor’s swimming pool. Many years later, I learned that that same house had been donated and moved to the Reinhardt campus! Some of you might have parked beside that house tonight…it belonged to Evelyn and Frank Gordy and is now the Evelyn Gordy Hospitality House. Even more ironic is that some years later, my husband’s youngest brother married Evelyn Gordy’s granddaughter! It seems that Reinhardt was destined to be a part of our families!

If Theora was here, I am quite sure that she would be humbled and proud of the Commons dedication today. She would be grateful that her children and grandchildren chose to support the ongoing education of so many students. It is my hope that the Theora Westbrook Cobb Commons will bring lots of pleasure to its students…a place to laugh, a place to fellowship, a place to rest, and perhaps even a place to study.”

A common question. A common refrain. The Hoke O’Kelley belies its purpose as just a large room on campus used for gatherings to represent much more. Once used as a chapel, the auditorium now serves as host to farewell receptions for long-serving employees, annual celebrations of donors, and a vast array of presentations for admissions, academic affairs, and student life.

The Hoke O’Kelley has a certain presence upon entering the main doors of the Martha S. and James R. Burgess, Jr. Administration Building, built in 1951. Straight ahead are its double doors. Marked above them in old, austere, plain (and a little wobbly) black letters read, “Hoke O’Kelly Auditorium.” Walking through the doors one takes a breath to marvel at the towering ceiling, worn wood of the stage, and glorious views of grand trees afforded by the large windows. The subtle aroma of age lingers like the comforting scent of a grandparent’s home or old schoolhouse. It is not a polished, well-appointed nor luxurious room, but its simplicity holds ineffable charm of days gone by as if to convey the adage, “if these walls could talk.” One might even say The Hoke O’Kelley is the heart and soul of campus tethering us to the University’s past as traditions continue and as new ones emerge.

The place, its purpose, and its central role in celebrating history, perhaps overshadows its namesake today. Who was Hoke O’Kelley?

Hoke Smith O’Kelley (1895-1969) was born in Walton, Georgia to Permetus M. and Annette L. Hopson O’Kelley. He earned degrees from North Georgia College (now University), the University of Georgia, and Columbia University, and New York University, where he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1927. He married Ola Jewell Jackson (1907-1993), and they settled in Loganville where he was an attorney and, later, mayor of Loganville and chairman of the Board of Education.

He served with distinction in both World War I and II. In WWI, he directed artillery fire while riding in a observation balloon. In WWII, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was injured when his jeep hit a land mine. Thanks to the efforts of his sister, Willie O’Kelley DuBois, he was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart in 1984. His final military rank was as major.

Known for his wit, enthusiasm, and manners of a gentleman, O’Kelley unsuccessfully ran for governor five times between 1932 and 1966. His obituary printed in the February 4, 1969, edition of the Atlanta Journal Constitution noted, “Those who knew him well said that O’Kelley realized he didn’t have much of a chance, but he deeply resented the idea that he was not a serious candidate. He poked jabs at ‘the big money boys’ but never personally attacked his opponents in his speeches and propounded any major platforms.”

Throughout the year, a variety of events are held in the Hoke O’Kelley Auditorium.

In his last will and testament, he created a trust to support his wife, her sisters, and his sisters as well as the educational aspirations of students at Andrew College, Reinhardt College, and Young Harris. When all was settled, Reinhardt received many hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is why Reinhardt continues to honor his name today. Reinhardt also owes a debt of gratitude to his sister, Willie David O’Kelley DuBois (1893-1988), who established an endowment through a bequest from her estate in 1988.

In the early 1900s, J. W. Holmes and his wife, Isabel, moved to Waleska from Atlanta so they could pursue their education. He was pursuing his dream to become a Methodist minister. Two weeks before he was to graduate from Reinhardt in May 1909, his appendix ruptured, and he died. He was to be admitted into the United Methodist Conference that summer. Since he had not yet been admitted, Isabel was left without a pension. She was also left to raise their three-year-old, Eulene, and a newborn, Ethel alone, and so, Isabel returned to Atlanta.

When Isabel learned that R.C. Sharpe had returned to be Reinhardt’s president, she contacted him and asked for a job so that she could finish her studies. Sharpe invited her to live on campus with her two children, attend school, and serve as a pastry chef in the dining hall. She later went to work in the library and worked there for years, and became well known in Canton as an accordionist.

Eulene Holmes Murray (RU-1924)

Eulene and Ethel attended Reinhardt Academy. Eulene’s piano teacher was Kate Gordy, the mother of classmate Frank Gordy (RU-1924) and grandmother of Nancy Simms. Frank Gordy was the founder of The Varsity restaurant. Nancy Simms assumed the leadership of The Varsity following his death and until passing the reigns to her son, Gordon Muir. The Gordy and Simms families have left a lasting legacy at Reinhardt.

In 1921, at the age of 15, Eulene went to nearby Lathemtown, Georgia to live with “Lizy” Lathem and teach music to the Lathem daughters. Any of the other families in the neighborhood could pay the Lathems and their children could take music as well. After graduating from Reinhardt in 1924, Eulene moved to Atlanta where her first job was at a ‘five and dime’ store demonstrating sheet music. She also played music for parties and weddings and served as an accompanist for ensembles throughout Atlanta.

Sometime around 1930, she met and married a young widower named Stuart Paul Murray (1892-1978), who owned the Atlanta Beverage Company. After she married Stuart, he became a gentleman farmer in addition to running his successful business. Their first farm was in Smyrna, where they lived on the weekends. He later developed the farm into the Belmont Hills Shopping Center, which opened in 1954 with great fanfare and an appearance by Georgia’s 1953 Miss America, Neva Jane Langley. At the time, the Atlanta Constitution Journal noted it as the largest center in the Southeast.

During the week, the Murrays resided in a suite at the posh Atlanta Biltmore Hotel and, later, in a home on Valley Road in Atlanta. The Atlanta Biltmore, which included both suites and apartments, had opened in Midtown in 1924 and was developed by William Candler, son of Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler, along with Holand Ball and John McEntee Bowman. Today, the building is owned by Georgia Tech.

A crowd in Marietta, GA celebrates the end of prohibition. Courtesy of Special Collections & Archives, Georgia State University Library, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographic Archive.

Stuart Murray championed the end of Prohibition and lobbied for the legalization of the sale of alcoholic beverages in Georgia. Prohibition in the U.S. banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol from 1920-1933 as the result of the 18^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Volstead Act. In 1935, the Georgia legislature approved the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act calling for a referendum and tasked the State Revenue Commission with creating regulations for the sale and distribution of alcohol. This change was a great boon for the Atlanta Beverage Company and the Murrays’ financial success.

Eulene Holmes Murray in her office.

Eulene supported Stuart’s business and leadership efforts. When he died in 1978, she continued to lead the Company as president for many years. Today, the company is one of the largest U.S. distributors and is still family-owned.

Mrs. Murray was known for her beauty, charm, intelligence, talent, wit, and, of course, her love of Reinhardt. Notes from Advancement staff visits left in Reinhardt records leave a smile with anyone who reads them. On one occasion, Mrs. Murray played the piano for more than 15 minutes exclaiming she wasn’t very good even in the face of staff members’ protests that it had been excellent. On another occasion, when she was asked for a contribution, she stated, “I thought you were going to ask me to build an annex or something.” When the staff member explained that President Falany would be coming back with Vice President JoEllen Bell to talk to her about the College’s capital campaign, she jokingly said she expected to be “real busy” when they called. Nevertheless, she was exceedingly supportive and always generous to Reinhardt.

Reinhardt’s Department of Music is named in honor of Eulene Holmes Murray.

In honor of Eulene Murray’s devotion to and support of Reinhardt, the University named the Department of Music for her in 1999 shortly before her passing. The Stuart and Eulene Murray Foundation continues the Murrays’ legacy of leadership and a love of education by making contributions for scholarships at Reinhardt. Reinhardt is truly fortunate to have known and inspired such an exceptional human being, Eulene Holmes Murray (1906-2000).

Groundbreaking of the Falany Performing Arts Center, from left: Eulene Murray’s great nephew Michael Williams (RU-1991), Murray’s great niece Leslie Ann Williams (RU-1993), Dr. William Nevious, Dr. Floyd Falany, Fay Falany, Ronnie Hopkins

The cover of a scrapbook created by Carfax Baxter.

Nestled away in the Hill-Freeman Library archives lives a scrapbook created by a beloved sister for her brother, inscribed, “The Possible History of the Life of Mr. Joseph W. Baxter 1911.” The volume’s sweet words, accompanied by photographs and snippets of popular sentimental illustrations and advertisements, speak of admiration, nostalgia, and (perhaps) a romanticized account of Joseph Baxter’s young adult life by a devoted sister, Carfax Baxter. (Yes, Carfax is a real name and is not associated in any way with the company known today. The name comes from the Middle English “carfukes” (crossroads), which is an Anglicization of Latin “quadrifurcus” (four-pronged, four-forked road).

A scrapbook photo captioned “Joe as a cow-boy.”

The scrapbook regales a young man of promise attending Yale University, stories of love and marriage, and success in New York City. Who was Joseph W. Baxter, and how was he associated with Reinhardt?

Joseph Woodward Baxter was born in 1892 and grew up in Suwanee, Georgia. From his sister’s scrapbook, it could be gleaned he lived a privileged life with ample hobbies to busy his time, family trips to the shore, and boarding school. At Yale University, he participated in a variety of sports from tennis, golf, croquet, to other activities. After graduating with first honors, he set out with a friend to vacation in the American West—a photo, presumably taken on the trip, shows him with boots and spurs captioned “Joe as a cow-boy”. Following his travels, Baxter became a banker in New York City.

Joseph W. Baxter graduated with first honors at Yale.

In the scrapbook, it notes he married his sweetheart, Vivian Fornoy, but there is no record of her elsewhere. Other records mention a woman he married in 1929, who sadly died in 1937. After her passing, Baxter returned Georgia where he opened a bargain store in Jefferson. In 1944, Reinhardt’s President J. Rowland Burgess visited him and asked for a $350 contribution. Baxter offered $10. The next year when President Burgess asked again, Baxter allegedly said, “I’m going to surprise you today. I’m going to cut you in half,” and gave him $5. Undeterred President Burgess sent Baxter a pamphlet entitled, “The Importance of Making a Will.” In response, Baxter suggested to President Burgess that his attorney, Jack Davidson, be appointed to the Board of Trustees for Reinhardt because, “someday you might have some dealings with him.” President Burgess made sure Davidson was selected and he served as a trustee from 1962-2000.

Reinhardt’s bowling alley on the Baxter Center’s dedication day in 1988.

Throughout his life Baxter was active in his community, frequently supporting local events and charities such as the Red Cross of Jackson County, the Civic Improvement Club, and the War Advertising Council during WWII, as well as the Golden Cross, a charity associated with the Methodist Church that provided hospitalization and treatment for those that could not afford care. Ultimately, Baxter became a champion of Reinhardt. On May 18, 1988, the Joseph W. Joseph W. Baxter Physical Fitness Center was dedicated (complete with a bowling alley which Baxter adored). At the ceremony, Reinhardt President Floyd Falany remarked, “Mr. Baxter is a devoted churchman with a keen interest in the welfare of young people. His belief in the College and dedication to its concern for the development of the whole person prompted him to make the extremely generous gift which has made possible the construction of this facility.”

When Baxter passed away, he left a great amount of his fortune to Reinhardt in addition to the $1.3 million for the fitness center. It seemed that President Burgess’ efforts, the University’s good works, and a little pamphlet had made a difference. Today, Reinhardt also recognizes him with Baxter Avenue and Baxter Circle named in his honor.

Glenn and Marjorie H. Hubbard Hall

Hubbard Residence Hall, affectionately known as Hubbard Blue and Gold (HBG), has become the home away from home for many students since its opening in 2012. Its suite-style accommodations, commons area, and balcony make for lively and spirited living. Organized into three areas—Hubbard, Blue, and Gold—the space provides rooms for women (Hubbard), men (Blue), and Gold (used alternatively for women or men depending on campus needs). For donors, and the residence’s namesake, Glenn (RU-1936) and Marjorie (RU-1937) Hubbard life on campus is much different from when they were students. Marjorie once noted, “I remember when men and women were not allowed fraternize!” Times have changed but love of community never wanes. Here’s the Hubbard’s story and how they loved Reinhardt and their community in tangible ways—service, generosity, and creativity.

Marjorie Hubbard (center) received the Evelyn Gordy Alumni Loyalty Award in 2003.

Just prior to her passing in 2017, Marjorie Humphrey Hubbard (RU-1937) had the honor and distinction of being Reinhardt’s oldest living alumna. Born in Ball Ground, Georgia in 1916, she attended Reinhardt in the late 1930s. Before receiving her degree in 1937, she embarked on her teaching career instructing a math class for the high school on campus at the request of Reinhardt’s Dean. After graduation, her career began in earnest as she taught at Etowah School in the Hightower Church area where she made 60 dollars per month.

Marjorie and Glenn Hubbard

She later moved to New Bethel School where she met another teacher, Glenn Hubbard, also a Reinhardt graduate from the class of 1936. They married in 1940 and settled in Woodstock. She taught at Woodstock Elementary School until her retirement in the mid-1970s. Glenn later worked for Bell Aircraft Corporation during WWII, returned to teaching, and then started a career in accounting in 1950 until his retirement in 1980. Glenn served as a Woodstock City Council Member and as the City Clerk and Planning Commission Member. During his lifetime he was recognized with several community awards. Glenn and Marjorie were married for 62 years. Their daughter, Elaine, was also a generously supporter of the University. In total, their support has provided millions of dollars for scholarships and the construction of HBG.

Pictured from left: Glenn, Elaine, and Marjorie Hubbard (RU-1937).

The Hubbards loved Reinhardt and they were pillars of the community. Their Woodstock home was also well-known for a special backyard feature that has been since preserved by the City— a small hand-constructed mini-lighthouse Glenn built which attests to his mindfulness about history and place. Juanita Hughes wrote in “Lighthouse Memories Shine Beacon on City’s History” for the Cherokee Tribune on September 4, 2013:

“Somehow, for the first time in my memory, I asked about the lighthouse, how it came to be. Turns out it is yet another example of historic preservation. It goes back to Glenn’s boyhood on the family farm which was located in the area of today’s Hobgood Park on Bells Ferry Road.

Rose Creek flowed through the farm, and Glenn’s father panned for gold there. Glenn attended the one-room Othello School. One of his friends was Charlie Poore. The two of them, along with other boys in the area, organized the Night Owl Christian Club, and it was there that the boys learned and put into practice those attributes that would serve them well in adulthood… adherence to the club’s by-laws and code of ethics, prompt payment of dues, regular attendance at meetings, and participation in debates on such timely subjects as trains vs. automobiles, Woodrow Wilson vs. Abraham Lincoln, and timber crops vs. cotton crops.

Glenn’s friend Charlie was a talented artist and craftsman, and when Charlie built a lighthouse at his home many years later, Glenn took note. He gathered rocks from his father’s farm, from the creek bed of Rose Creek, and from the foundation of the old Othello School, and fashioned his own lighthouse.”

The Jewell Wyatt Bannister Glasshouse

Situated below the Hasty Student Life Center, students, faculty, staff, and visitors find a beautifully appointed room used for meetings, luncheons, lectures, student gatherings, and worship services. Once the location of an outdoor pool, the landscape now features a space with two-story high windows on three sides affording breathtaking panoramic views of the treelined Theora Westbrook Cobb Commons, the Dr. W.M. and Lucy Bratton Bell Tower, Herbert A. Mullenix Lake, and, in the distance, The Floyd A. and Fay W. Falany Performing Arts Center. This space, aptly known as the Jewell Wyatt Bannister (RU-1940) Glasshouse, is not only physically connected to the Hasty Student Life Center, but both namesakes are related.

Jewell and Lanier Bannister

Jewell Wyatt Bannister (1920-2006) attended Reinhardt and played on the women’s basketball team. After earning an associate’s degree, she completed her undergraduate degree at North Georgia College (now the University of North Georgia) and became a teacher. Most of her career was at Cumming Elementary School where she taught from 1957 until her retirement in1974. Jewell was married to Julius Lanier Bannister (1920-2001). Together, they served on the Forsyth County Retired Teachers Association (Jewell was Telephone Chairperson and Lanier was Legislative Chairman) and both were presented with Community Service Award Certificates in 1994. They also served on the Diabetic Steering Committee at Lakeside Community Hospital. In her last will and testament, she bequeathed a large contribution to Reinhardt which helped to build the facility. The Jewell Wyatt Bannister Glasshouse, dedicated on March 12, 2008, continues to honor her memory.

She is connected to the Hasty family through her beloved sister, Hazel Wyatt Hasty (2024-2009), also a schoolteacher. Hazel was married to William Hasty, Sr. (1922-2003), who served as Cherokee County School Superintendent and as a Georgia State Representative and Senator. He was also an alumnus of Reinhardt. The Hasty Student Life Center is named in honor of William G. “Billy” Hasty Jr., Linda N. Hasty, and Hazel W. Hasty.

William G. Hasty, Jr. (RU-1967) is currently an emeritus member of Reinhardt’s Board of Trustees. During his distinguished law career, he served as Senior Partner and Attorney, Hasty Pope LLP, in Canton, Georgia. During his career, he has attained jury verdicts in cases involving exposure to pesticides and successfully represented plaintiffs in the L-Tryptophan litigation against Showa Denka Ltd. He represented and litigated for municipal and county governments for more than 20 years, including Cherokee County, City of Canton, Cherokee County Development Authority, Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority, Cherokee County Hospital Authority, Cherokee County Board of Education, and the City of Ball Ground. Hasty has served several organizations, such as Phoenix Society of Atlanta, American Trial Lawyers Association, Bank of Canton Board of Directors, Leadership Cherokee, Leadership Georgia, and the Hospital Board of Cherokee County.

New student orientation (above) and student involvement fairs (left) are just some of the ways the Bannister Glasshouse is enjoyed.

The Bannister Glasshouse and the Hasty Student Life Center were designed by architect Garland Reynolds (1935-2024) of Gainesville, Georgia. Reynolds also designed Reinhardt’s William W. Fincher Jr. and Eunice L. Fincher Visual Arts Center, the F. James and Florrie G. Funk Heritage Center, and the Floyd A. and Fay W. Falany Performing Arts Center.

It’s often remarked to never underestimate what can be accomplished when a group of people recognizes a need and joins efforts to see a task through to completion. Reinhardt beautifully evidences this old adage. The institution’s founders knew this when they sought support from the United Methodist Church. President Burgess knew this when he invited the community to Soil Conversation Day in 1949. Alumni and friends know this when they make contributions to support the University. Just about everything on Reinhardt’s campus can be attributed to an unwavering community spirit. The President’s home, named for Hal. B. Wansley, is another such example.

The Hal B. Wansley President’s Home

Located at one of the highest points on campus sits a Georgian two-story colonial home built in 1977. Modeled after Belle Meade, the home of former Board of Trustees Chair, Peter S. Knox, Jr., it overlooks the campus and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the January 1978 Reinhardt Report, the house was described much as it remains to this day (with the exception of the color of the shutters which are now black), “A circular driveway gracefully approaches the beautifully landscaped hone through stately oaks that has been a part of campus since the college’s founding by Captain Reinhardt in 1883. The home is of red brick and off-white trim and dark green shutters, and has a spacious six-columned front porch.”

The 1978 article continues, “The Hal B. Wansley President’s Home on the Reinhardt College campus is a dream come true. It is a functionally designed home that will serve the college and its present for years to come and is a monument to all those who so graciously gave of their resources and time.” Contributors to the project included the W. I. H. and Lula E. Pitts, Paul Jones, and John and Mary Franklin Foundations and Alvin Barge, Ruth Wansley, Jones Mercantile of Canton, Bank of Canton, Merry Brick and Tiles of Augusta, Augusta Lumber, Tom Addison, Haynes Lumber Company of Canton, Thomson Oak Flooring of Thomason, and Whitecrest Mills of Dalton, along with many others. Board of Trustees member Pete Knox contributed over one-half of the cost of construction.

Hal B. Wansley

The home is named in memory of Hal Brantley Wansley (1913-1975) who was born in Carnesville, Franklin, Georgia to John Wesley Wansley and Mary Beatrice McCarter. He married Leona Ruth Simpson. Wansley served as a lieutenant in the US Marines in World War II. He landed in Iwo Jima on D-Day and fought on the front lines for 13 days (four without food). About the battle he once stated, “I never expected to witness something so ghastly.” After returning home, he had a career at Georgia Power and became an executive there. A power plant in Heard, Georgia, was also named in his honor. He was the Chair of the Reinhardt Board of Trustees from 1973 to 1974 and Vice Chair from 1974 to 1975.

Following his death, Wansley’s wife, Ruth Dunaway Wansley (1914-2012), served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1976 until 1992. In addition to her role as a trustee, she (along with Elizabeth Johnston and Lucretia Mount) served on the committee to furnish and decorate the President’s Home.

Pictured from left: Board of Trustees Chairman Normal W. Pachall, Ruth Wansley, and President Floyd A. Falany.

Ruth was born in Tallapoosa, Georgia to Florence Corinne and Reverend Charles M. Dunaway. She graduated from Asbury College. She married her first husband, John Reuben Montgomery, in 1934. They had three daughters, Kim, Karen, and Katie. Karen married John Erlichman, an aide to Richard Nixon. Ruth married her second husband, Hal, in 1966 and they raised three sons, Hal Jr., James, and John. She served in leadership roles in the Methodist Women’s Society and United Methodist Women. She was a member of the Rome First United Methodist Church, Adult Fellowship Sunday School Class, Rome Symphony Guild, Asbury College Alumni Association, and Rhododendron Woman’s Club. She served as a wedding coordinator at Rome First UMC.

A Fall event being hosted at the Hal B. Wansley President’s Home

The Hal B. Wansley President’s Home was first used by President Allen O. Jernigan for his family and well as a location for special events. (Students sometimes left their mark on the home and grounds as documented in the 1979 yearbook when trees were covered in toilet paper.) Today, the President’s continues to be a hub for meetings and special events throughout the year hosted by President Mark Roberts.

Who was the man whose vision and generosity were the difference between hope and failure in the mind of former Reinhardt President Floyd Falany? Who was the man who drove by the campus and felt an immediate connection that inspired him to contribute? What is his legacy at Reinhardt?

In a letter dated March 17, 1993, from President Floyd Falany to a donor who had established a scholarship and made contributions for a new academic building, Dr. Falany wrote,

“We are an enthusiastic group that works hard to provide quality instruction, beautiful facilities, and a caring, friendly atmosphere for the young men and women of this generation. But we can only dream as much as you will allow us.

“Your kindness is the difference between hope and failure for many students. We all wonder whether our gifts really do make a difference. There are dozens of students in class at this very moment who would gladly shake your hand with gratitude and tell you with pride and excitement about all you have done for them.

“Somewhere, years ago, we all benefitted from the attention given to us by a special person in our lives. Many of us don’t even know who that person was. You have repaid a great part of that debt with your unselfish gift to Reinhardt. Your continued support will only add to the legacy you have begun.”

This letter penned to George M. Lawson more than thirty years ago still rings true. Lawson’s contributions provided funds for a building, a scholarship endowment, and art enjoyed in various locations on campus. The campus continues to benefit from a man with a belief that providing hope was an important part of helping others be and do their best.

Dedicated on Wednesday, May 19, 1993, The George M. Lawson Academic Center, located between the Martha S. and James R. Burgess, Jr. Administration Building and Blanche and Harold T. Hagan Chapel, remains central in the life of the mind at Reinhardt. Originally, the state-of-the-art facility housed classrooms, faculty offices, computer labs, the McCamish Business School and Broadcasting Center, a Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise (CEFE), and the Academic Support Office. The building and programs were a part of the efforts for Reinhardt to become a four-year college and touted at the time as “the new cornerstone of quality instruction at Reinhardt College.” Although the McCamish Broadcast Center is now located in the Falany Performing Arts Center, the Lawson Academic Center continues to house faculty offices and classrooms. The Lawson Academic Center was designed by Kirkman Associates Architects of Dalton, Georgia, and built by P.R. Orton, Inc. of Chamblee, Georgia.

George Lawson

George Lawson didn’t attend Reinhardt but became aware of Reinhardt College as he passed back and forth to what was formerly known as Lake Arrowhead Resort and once said, “The more I saw of the school and the president I was convinced” to join its efforts. He also knew of Reinhardt from his friend and fishing buddy, D.W. Brooks, who had “said nothing but good things.” Lawson established an endowed scholarship in his friend’s name. David William (D.W.) Brooks (Georgia, 1901-1999) was a graduate of the University of Georgia and known for his work helping farmers by starting an agricultural cooperative in the early 1920s which after several iterations later became known as Gold Kist. Brooks served as an advisor on agriculture, economics, and trade to seven U.S. presidents. He was a long-serving member of Reinhardt University’s board of trustees (1954-1999).

Pictured: Rachel Crittenden (RU-2025) enjoys a quiet moment reading amongst art given by George Lawson and displayed in the JoEllen Bell Wilson (RU-1961) Office of Advancement

Lawson also contributed several dozen works of art, primarily paintings from the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th Centuries. The works can be seen in several locations on Reinhardt’s campus including the JoEllen Bell Wilson (RU-1961) Office of Advancement, offices in the Martha S. and James R. Burgess, Jr. Administration Building, Hill Freeman Library, and the Hal B. Wansley President’s Home. The gift represents Lawson’s love of arts and culture. He believed in the power of art to inspire hope, beauty, and the power of the human imagination.

George Matthews Lawson (1908-2007) was born in Atlanta, Georgia to William Henry Lawson, a lawyer at American Telephone and Telegraph, and Mary Mathews Lawson, a former teacher. His obituary in 2007 states in part,

“After graduating from Boys’ High School, Mr. Lawson attended Emory University, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. After three years at Emory, he entered Emory Law School, graduating in 1931. He then clerked for two Atlanta law firms before going to work for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in 1933. His career at the R.F.C. was interrupted by World War II. The morning after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Mr. Lawson applied for a commission in the United States Naval Reserve. After stateside duties, he became a lieutenant commander of an amphibious unit, which provided support for naval and marine aircraft based on Okinawa. At the end of WWII, Mr. Lawson returned to Atlanta and worked for the War Assets Administration, which had been created by Congress to dispose of surplus war assets.

“Then, in 1950, he joined the Coca-Cola Company, where he was a part of the legal staff assigned to the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Chicago. After one year in Illinois, he returned to Atlanta and continued to work as an attorney for the parent company. Mr. Lawson’s career at Coke spanned 23 years until his retirement in 1973 as general counsel of the company. … For the better part of a century, Mr. Lawson was an active participant in the life and culture of Atlanta and the nation…” At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Angel Lawson (d. 2011), and several children and grandchildren.

The George M. Lawson Academic Center

Tucked away in the Southeastern edge of Reinhardt University’s 620-acre property on a small tract of land sits the campus’ wastewater treatment plant. Most people have no idea it exists and perhaps most would rather not even think about the indelicate nature of its purpose. Through the process of filtration, , the facility removes harmful substances and discharges safe water back into the environment. The plant plays a vital role in the operations of campus and without it, the University could not function. No other plant exists in Waleska or the portion of Cherokee County where Reinhardt is located.

George McClure

Knowing the purpose of the plant, one might think it odd, humorous, or perhaps disrespectful to name it after someone; but the George McClure Wastewater Treatment Plant is no joke. George McClure (1949-2023), an advisor to the Board of Trustees’ Buildings and Grounds Committee for approximately three decades, recognized an upgraded plant was necessary in the 1990s to accommodate additional student housing and championed its construction. Board of Trustees member John Bennett (RU-1965) recalls, “George was very active in the development of Cherokee County ever since the 1970s. His work developing areas like the Towne Lake area of Woodstock gave him the expertise and experience to help Reinhardt with its growth. He helped us in many ways.”

McClure brought significant knowledge to the Board and the Committee regarding construction and waste treatment. In addition to the company (The McClure Companies, Inc.) he operated alongside his wife, Hilda, McClure served on the State Board for Septic Tanks in Georgia until his death and helped write a manual for septic tank regulations in Georgia. McClure was a member of the Cherokee Airport Authority where he served for 38 years, past president of the Georgia Home Builders Association, and past president of the Atlanta Home Builders Association. He was a man who cared deeply for his community and was active in numerous organizations including membership in the Cherokee Shrine Club, Hickory Flat Masonic Lodge # 205, Eastern Star, Canton Jaycees (past president), and Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce (past president).

The George McClure Wastewater Treatment Facility

When the plant was dedicated in December of 2000, President Floyd Falany surprised McClure by naming it for him. By all accounts,McClure was happy and even chuckled a bit about the distinction. According to President Mark Roberts, “The George McClure Wastewater Treatment Facility is the unsung hero of Reinhardt University’s main campus.”

The story behind the William W. Fincher, Jr. and Eunice L. Fincher Visual Arts Center started long before its dedication in 1998 and continues to this day. It begins with William W. Fincher, Sr. (1876-1959) and Mary Amanda “Mae” Chambers Fincher (1888-1977), both Reinhardt alumni. Fincher, Sr. graduated in 1894 and married Mae Chambers in 1913. He was a pharmacist who was elected vice president of Rexall Druggists’ Association of Georgia in 1924. Mae Chambers graduated from Reinhardt in 1908 and among other activities, she participated in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union in 1922. Their oldest son, William Wesley “Bill” Fincher, Jr. (1914-2006), was an adamant supporter of providing educational and cultural opportunities for Georgians. The Fincher descendants continue the family’s dedication to Reinhardt by serving on Reinhardt’s Board of Trustees and generously supporting the institution.

Eunice L. and William W. Fincher, Jr.

Fincher Jr.  was born in Cherokee County. He attended Canton High School and completed pharmacy school at the University of South Carolina, following in his father’s footsteps to become a druggist. In 1935, he opened Fincher Drug Company in Chatsworth, Georgia in 1935 along with his brother, Jack. He also joined the First United Methodist Church of Chatsworth (and was a devoted member until his death). That same year, he met Eunice “Peg” Loughridge (1914-2007) and they married in 1936. They had three daughters: Mary Jane, Phyllis, and Frances. After 16 years as a pharmacist, Fincher Jr. sold his drug store and operated a chain of movie theaters in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Later, his entrepreneurial spirit inspired him to become involved in banking, poultry, and textile businesses.

In 1964, Fincher Jr. was elected to the 54th District of the Georgia State Senate which at that time was made up of portions of Murray, Catoosa, and Whitfield counties. He served for 26 years in the Senate from 1965 to 1991. He was chairman of the Higher Education Committee and the Health and Welfare Committee. He was also a member of the Banking and Finance Committee, Appropriations Committee, Human Resources Committee, and Interstate Cooperation Committee. He was active in a number of local organizations in Murray and Whitfield counties including the Chatsworth-Murray Library, the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society, the Chatsworth Lions Club, the Masonic Order, and Dalton State College among others.

Eunice “Peg” Loughridge Fincher was born in 1914, in Murray County, Georgia, to  James Patton Loughridge and Etta Jane Dickey Loughridge. She attended Maryville College and the University of Georgia, after which she taught elementary school in Murray County for several years. Mrs. Fincher joined Chatsworth First United Methodist Church in 1936 and was active until her death. She held almost every church office and taught Sunday School for over 50 years. She was active in the United Methodist Women for nearly 70 years. In addition to her involvement with the church and raising a family, Peg Fincher was an active member of many civic organizations through the years. She was the first Regent of the Robert Loughridge Chapter of (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) and past president of the Chatsworth Women’s Club. She helped organize the Murray County Band Boosters’ Club. She was one of Dalton State College’s original trustees from 1967-1971. She was a long-time member of the League of Women Voters, a member of the Chatsworth Eastern Star, and a member of the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society.

After Fincher Jr.’s death, his family reflected on his character and values for an April 16, 2006, article by Daily Citizen reporter Misty Watson. His daughter, Mary Jane Peterson, stated he was a giving person and his favorite part of being a senator was being able to help people. The Fincher’s legacy of helping others is evident in the family’s continued support of Reinhardt through generous contributions and through their dedicated service on Reinhardt’s Board of Trustees.

The William W. Fincher, Jr. and Eunice L. Fincher Visual Arts Center

Mary Jane Peterson’s husband Hugh is an Emeritus Trustee, who began his service in 1980. Hugh Peterson, Jr. served as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the US Army and graduated magna cum laude at Yale University. He joined the King and Spalding law firm and retired in 1992. He was also Chairman and CEO, of VNS Corporation, a building materials company in Vidalia, Georgia. Hugh and Mary Jane Peterson’s daughter, Patience Peterson, is a current member of the Board. Prior to her current position as Assistant Vice President of LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Peterson served in a number of senior management and director positions within the company, and at LexisNexis and Mansell Group. She received her B.A. from New York University in 1999.

The William W. Fincher, Jr. and Eunice L. Fincher Visual Arts Center is home to the Herbert I. and Lilla W. Gordy Department of Art. The Italian Renaissance-inspired building contains studios for photography, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, painting, printmaking, and computer animation, as well as gallery space and offices for the art department faculty. The building’s posterior, situated on the edge of Lake Mullenix, features the Randolph W. Thrower Plaza which provides a picturesque space for receptions and gatherings.

Pictured (from left) at the Hagan Chapel’s groundbreaking: Dr. Floyd Falany, Reinhardt president 1984-1999, Rev. Nat Long, pastor of St. James United Methodist Church, Dr. Robert Bridges, superintendent of the Atlanta-Marietta district of the United Methodist Church, Mrs. Blanche Hagan, chapel benefactor, Bishop Ernest Fitzgerald, leader of the United Methodist Church in Georgia, Dr. Reynolds Greene, incoming superintendent of the Atlanta-Marietta district of the United Methodist Church.

Well-known for his enthusiasm and oratory skills, former Reinhardt President Floyd Falany often traveled across Georgia spreading news about the great work of the College. Sometime in 1985, Dr. Falany received an invitation to speak at a Wednesday evening program at St. James United Methodist Church in Atlanta. Also, on the program that evening was the Reinhardt College Choir, directed by Judy MacMillan. Blanche Hagan was in the audience, and afterward Rev. Nat Long introduced her to Dr. Falany.

Ella Blanche Tippins Hagan (1902-1986) was an Atlanta resident and a smart, savvy businesswoman, who invested her resources well. Her husband was the late Harold T. Hagan (d. 1953). The Hagan’s owned the Pig’n Whistle restaurant in Atlanta (other locations could be found around the state), which opened in 1928. They also owned the Peacock Alley restaurant.

Blanche Hagan later visited the College. After Dr. Falany expressed a need for a chapel, she looked at her accountant who had accompanied her and she said, “Can I do that?” The response was, “Yes, of course. You can do anything you wish.” In that moment, she agreed to give $200,000. She ultimately gave $750,000 in total for the chapel.

The program for Hagan Chapel’s groundbreaking on March 9, 1986stated, “This dream is being made possible primarily through the generous support of Mrs. Harold T. (Blanche) Hagan of Atlanta. Many other individuals and organizations have also played an important role. Mrs. Hagan, a dedicated Methodist laywoman, made the naming gift in order to provide a structure which will have a positive and uplifting influence on the Reinhardt Community and will stand as a visible symbol of the College’s relationship to the United Methodist Church.”

Hagan Chapel

In the program for the dedication of the Hagan Chapel on October 3, 1987, it stated, “After her death in 1986, Reinhardt College received from her estate the largest bequest in its history [at that time]. The bulk of these funds will be used for Methodist youth attending Reinhardt College.”

An article dated June 21, 1987, in the Cherokee Tribune announced the bequest, “The largest donation in the history of Reinhardt College, a $2.5 million gift from the estate of life-long Methodist Church supporter Blanche Hagan, will be used for scholarships and completion of the school chapel, say college officials.”

The Hagan Chapel continues to serve Reinhardt’s campus community and the local community. Reverend Brian Smith, pastor of WaleskaUnited Methodist Church, reflects, “I love how Hagan Chapel has become a cherished space for worship and reflection for both Reinhardt University and Waleska United Methodist Church. Its timeless design and sacred atmosphere stand as a testament to Mrs. Hagan’s generosity and her vision for a place of worship, peace, and community. Day in and day out, people experience the goodness of God’s grace in this special place.”

Reinhardt honors Norman W. Paschall in three ways:

• The Norman W. Paschall American Dream Scholarship Endowment.
• The Norman W. Paschall Plaza, located in front of the Martha S. and James R. Burgess, Jr. Administration Building.
• The Norman W. Paschall Office of Campus Ministries, located in the Hasty Student Life Center.

Norman W. Paschall

Norman “Zeke” Winthrop Paschall (1919-2015) was born in Kingstree, S.C. and grew up in Greensboro, N.C. He was an excellent student and graduated from high school at the age of 16, but did not attend college due to The Great Depression. Instead, he began a career in the textile by-product business in 1935 working for the Railway Supply and Manufacturing Inc. in Charlotte, N.C.

Paschall was a WWII veteran in the Army Air Corps where he flew B-17 and B-29 aircraft and served as a flight instructor. In 1946, he established the Norman W. Paschall Co, Inc. in Atlanta, buying and selling cotton and textile by-products. He served on the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Advisory Council and was the president of the Textile Fibers and By-Products Association and President of the National Cotton Batting Institute, where he was highly respected and known for his integrity, honesty, and leadership in the industry.

Norman Paschall was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1974-1999, serving as board chair for over a decade and emeritus trustee from 1999-2015. He also served as the chair of the development committee leading several fundraising campaigns for the University. Following his service as an active member, the board awarded him emeritus status. The University recognized him with two honorary degrees (Associate’s Degree in Humanities 1979 & Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities 1994) and the Volunteer of the Year Award in 1996, which was subsequently named after Paschall and awarded annually until 2003. He also received the John Wesley Laity Award for layperson leadership in the United Methodist Church. Paschall was very involved in his church, the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta.

In 1996, Paschall’s wife, Barbara “Bobbie,” established a scholarship in his name in honor of their 50^th wedding anniversary and in honor of his service to Reinhardt. The scholarship supports students who show great promise, if given a chance, to pursue the American Dream. In a letter thanking Bobbie Paschall, dated March 5, 1996, then Reinhardt President Floyd Falany states, in part, “I share your hope that these students will choose to emulate the character traits of hard work, personal responsibility, and dedication to moral and ethical values at home and at work, as well as a genuine reverence for Almighty God so ably personified in the life of Norman W. Paschall.”

Norman W. Paschall Plaza

Dedicated on May 21, 1996, Norman W. Paschall Plaza honors his dedication to the United Methodist Church, his country, and his community, symbolized by the United Methodist, United States, and Georgia flags, respectively, in the Plaza.

The Office of Campus Ministries and an associated endowment is also named for Paschall. Established in 1996, the Norman W. Paschall Office of Campus Ministries consists of three areas: spiritual life, leadership development, and service. The aim of Campus Ministries is to provide students with options to develop their faith and volunteerism to enrich their spiritual life and community engagement while at Reinhardt and beyond.

The W. M. and Lucy Bratton Memorial Bell Tower is named for W.M. (Walter Marvin) Bratton (1878-1956) and Lucy Blackwood Bratton (1891-1963). W.M. Bratton served as 14^th president of Reinhardt College from 1927 until 1944. Lucy B. Bratton headed the music department and directed the glee club.

W.M. Bratton

In the early 1990s, the classes of 1934-1938 collaborated on a fundraising campaign to honor the Brattons. Glenn (RU-1936) and Marjorie (RU-1937) Hubbard co-chaired a committee whose members wrote letters and called friends to raise money for the cause. More than $200,000 was raised to build the bell tower and establish the William M. Bratton Scholarship Endowment. The Bratton Bell Tower is a part of a memorial dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Bratton, which was dedicated on August 15, 1985. The college bell that originally hung near Mary Stuart Whitam Administration Building 1912-1950 (now replaced by the Martha S. & James R. Burgess, Jr. Administration Building) and replicas of the columns given to the college by the class of 1934 along with the Bell Tower comprise the memorial.

The W. M. and Lucy Bratton Memorial Bell Tower was manufactured by the vanBergen Bell Company, an 18th-century Dutch bell foundry that began in 1795 in the Netherlands and later came to the U.S. (The company is a part of the Verdin Company of South Carolina). A similar bell tower was erected in honor of legendary country music singer, Patsy Cline, at her gravesite in the Shenandoah Memorial Park in Winchester, Virginia.

Bratton Memorial Bell Tower

Occasionally, the Bratton Memorial Bell Tower has been referred to as a carillon; it is not. A carillon is a pitched percussion instrument and has at least 23 bells. At Reinhardt, the Bratton Memorial Bell Tower rings daily to mark the hour, during the annual memorial service honoring community members who have passed away in the prior year, and for emergency notifications.

A native of Tennessee, W.M. Bratton earned a degree at Peabody College and did post-graduate work at Columbia University. Sources differ on his date of birth – various records say 1876, 1882, or 1884; however, his death certificate lists the 1878 date. His first name also causes confusion. All Reinhardt documentation during his presidency – catalogs, correspondence, newspapers – refer to him only as W.M. Bratton. In his 1969 book History of Reinhardt College, Bowling C. Yates refers to him as William Marvin Bratton. However, the 1898 Peabody College catalog, his marriage announcement, and his death certificate all name him as Walter Marvin Bratton. He was married to the former Lucy Blackwood and they had three daughters.

During Bratton’s seventeen-year tenure as Reinhardt’s president, the college took steps towards improvement and modernization. New physical facilities built during these years included a gymnasium, two dormitories – Cherokee Hall and Paul W. Jones Hall, new barns, and a canning plant. Georgia Power extended electricity to Waleska and the campus in 1929 and a new water system was installed in 1936. In 1942, the highway from Canton was paved to the Waleska city limits. Also, the state of Georgia recognized Reinhardt as a junior college and was approved as a teacher training institution.

Chester Thurman Tarpley (1892-1984) was a local farmer and a carpenter. In 1914, he married Louise L. Ledford (1891-1955). They had four children: Carl, Fred, Merle, and Cora Belle. Chester helped build some of the buildings on Reinhardt’s campus, and by doing so earned a Reinhardt education for his children. Eight members of Chester’s and Louise’s direct descendants attended Reinhardt. All went on to touch countless lives as nurses, teachers, and in other giving professions.

Mozelle and Fred H. Tarpley

Chester and Louise Tarpley’s son Fred and his wife, Mozelle Bates Tarpley, both graduated from Reinhardt in 1940. Fred and Mozelle moved to Dalton in 1946 and were long-time members of the First United Methodist Church. Fred Harold Tarpley (1921-2003) worked for 40 years in the banking industry. Mozelle Tarpley (1921-2013) was a teacher for many years in Murray County and Dalton Public Schools. Both cherished their time at Reinhardt and knew the importance of education.

Fred and Mozelle Tarpley’s significant generosity provided many wonderful opportunities for Reinhardt’s students and faculty over the years. In their honor, two spaces have been named. The Fred H. and Mozelle Bates Tarpley Education Center, dedicated on May 22, 2001, houses faculty offices, study spaces, and numerous classrooms. A breezeway that serves as a lounge for students and faculty alike connects the Tarpley Education Center to the George M. Lawson Academic Center. When Mozelle passed away, she left a significant bequest to Reinhardt. The University named the University Theatre’s vestibule in her honor in 2018.

Fred H. and Mozelle Bates Tarpley Education Center

Fred’s sister, Cora Belle Tarpley Holcombe (RU-1951, 1929-2000), is also honored on Reinhardt’s campus. In 2023, a bell was donated by Reinhardt University nurse Gwen Chambers (RU-1984) and her sisters, Dr. Sharon Pappas and Gina Mitchell (RU-1978), in honor of their mother, and Fred’s sister. As a local educator, Cora Belle Tarpley Holcombe served Ball Ground, Clayton, and R.M. Moore Elementary Schools for over three decades. According to Chambers, “She modeled Reinhardt’s mission to ‘educate the whole person with challenge and care.’”

The bell represents the members of the Tarpley family who have dedicated their lives to improving the well-being of children and their families. Located at the entrance of the Tarpley Education Center, the bell rang for the first time at a dedication ceremony on November 10, 2023. Students ring the bell at the beginning and end of their educational journey at Reinhardt.

2023- A strategic plan titled Widening the Fields of Endeavor: Advancing the Vision defines a clear direction for the future of Reinhardt University.

2022- On Friday, February 25, Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D., was inaugurated as the 21^st president of Reinhardt University.

2019 – Through the new Master of Science in Sport Administration and Leadership, Reinhardt became the first private institution in Georgia to enroll students in a 100 percent online sport-based master’s degree program. The nursing program earned accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Received a nearly $1 million Noyce grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for providing enhanced science and math education to students seeking to be high school teachers. Dr. Ken Wheeler and six of his students won best article in “Georgia Historical Quarterly” and received the 2019 John C. Insco Award. Dr. Donna Coffey Little won a Humanities Research for the Public Good Grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).

2018 – Established the Cauble School of Nursing in Health Sciences, with a gift from Dr. John Cauble and Sally Forrest. Established the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning (CITEL) with a $1.25 million grant from the Goizueta Foundation. Recorded the highest fall enrollment in Reinhardt history of 1,566. Inaugural class inducted into the Cauble School of Nursing in Health Sciences. Fraternity and sorority life added to student involvement. Dedicated the Townsend Bridge which was donated by Dr. Austin Flint. Reinhardt Chamber Singers invited to sing at the Vatican in Italy. Cobb Hall is demolished to create green space on campus. Construction is completed on Eagles View residence hall, Gordy Dining Center expansion and Black Box University Theatre. Reynolds Wayside Chapel added to the campus, donated by Reinhardt architect Garland Reynolds. Dedicated Simms Garden, in honor of Steve and Nancy Simms of the Gordy family. Reinhardt certified through National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) to educate online students nationwide. Ranked 25th in U.S. News and World Report, an increase of 20 spots since 2016. Men’s Lacrosse won third National Championship. Added men’s volleyball to start in 2019-20. Conferred the first 12 MFA degrees in Creative Writing. Approved the addition of a Master of Science in Sport Administration and Leadership. SACSCOC reaffirms Reinhardt University’s accreditation.

2017 – Dr. Mark A. Roberts installed as Reinhardt’s 1^st provost. Highest enrollment in history of 1,508 in fall 2017. Received $1 million gift from Austin and Bea Flint in support of a new endowed scholarship for music students. Falany Performing Arts Center concert hall named “Flint Hall”. Hill Freeman Library renovated with $1 million in support from the Cherokee County Commission. Received funding from a USDA loan for a $24 million construction project including a 300-seat black box theater, Eagle View residence hall, and expansion of the Gordy Dining Center. Launched the BSN housed at the Appalachian campus of Chattahoochee Technical College in Jasper, GA. Launched A Day for Reinhardt in Pickens County to provide scholarships for students in Pickens County. Launched Reinhardt Women’s Leadership Program. Completed a SACSCOC substantive compliance certification for reaffirmation of accreditation including a quality enhancement plan named Where in the World RU Going with a focus on high impact practices.

2016 – Dr. Kina S. Mallard is inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 20th president. Highest enrollment in history of 1,484 in fall 2016, representing a nearly 30% growth since 2011. University breaks ground on Theatre Building. Men’s and women’s bowling and men’s wrestling added. Blue Gym renovated into a wrestling facility for practice and matches. New programs include a successful Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, which began in the summer of 2016 with a low-residency component. The online Bachelor of Business Administration also was launched successfully.

2014 – Men’s and women’s track and field are added. New athletic indoor practice facility built adjacent to the Field House. A new stage arts annex is also being discussed.

2013 – Master of Public Administration launches. Adds marching band. Football begins intercollegiate competition and finishes 6-4 and on top of the Mid-South Conference West Division. Dedicates new Science Center, and Blue and Gold Halls open as part of the Hubbard Hall Residential Complex. School of Music changes to School of Performing Arts, the only one of its kind in Georgia, and the theatre program moves to the renamed school.

2012 – Hubbard Residence Hall, turf field, field house and Ken White Music Center open fall 2012. MBA offered at new off campus site in downtown Woodstock, Ga. Online degree completion programs in criminal justice and healthcare administration added. Football players begin practice. Construction begins on new Science Center. Monument sign at corner of Highways 108 and 140 replaced. Plans finalized for two new residence halls to be part of the Hubbard Hall complex.

2011 – Approves the addition of football to begin practice in 2012 and competition in 2013.  Adopts plans to build a field house, turf football field and residence hall. Adds baccalaureate program in political science.

2010 – Becomes Reinhardt University on June 1. Adds women’s lacrosse. Master of Education in Elementary Education and Master of Education in Special Education approved to start in 2012. Adds baccalaureate program in theatre studies. Lights were added to the Ken White Athletic Fields.

2009 – Holds first Convocation of Artists and Scholars. Adds associate degrees in criminal justice and a Public Safety Institute. Intercollegiate athletic teams switch to the Appalachian Athletic Conference and add men’s lacrosse. Launches math secondary education program.  Offers selected programs in Cartersville.  Adds Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Education.

2008 – Celebrates 125th anniversary and concludes an $18.7 million capital campaign. SACS reaffirms Reinhardt’s undergraduate accreditation and, later in the year, accredits Reinhardt as a level III-graduate institution. Adds new programs in World Languages and Cultures, criminal justice, and professional communication leadership.

2007 – SACS approved first graduate program – Master of Business Administration. Hasty Student Life Center completed.  Women’s golf added. First endowed faculty chair, the William W. Fincher, Jr. Chair of the Visual Arts, was funded. Baccalaureate programs in math and digital art and graphic design, and concentration in special education, added.

2006 – Ground broken for Hasty Student Life Center. New baccalaureate programs in biology, English and music education approved. Capital Campaign goal raised to $17 million. Recruiting begins for women’s golf team. Record number of new students welcomed to campus.

2005 – Added public relations and advertising; marketing; media, culture and society; and public safety leadership, thus bringing the number of degree programs to 33. The $15 million Capital Campaign announced.

2004 – Apartment-style residence halls open at capacity.  Baseball and fast-pitch softball added.

2003 – Added women’s volleyball. Dedicated the renovated and expanded James & Sis Brown Athletic Center and the Jim & Syble Boring Sports Complex and the expanded and renamed Hill Freeman Library and Spruill Learning Center.

2002 – The Floyd A. and Fay W. Falany Performing Arts Center, which included the relocated McCamish Media Arts Center, opens. Added baccalaureate programs in English, history, music, religion, as well as a management concentration.Dr. J. Thomas Isherwood was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 19th President.

2001 – Student programming expands to include outdoor program. Dedicated the Fred H. and Mozelle Bates Tarpley Education Center, the George M. McClure Water Treatment Plant and the renovated Varsity Room.Dr. Charles E. Glassick was appointed as Reinhardt’s interim president.

2000 – Added sociology, sports information and communications. North Fulton Center moves to Alpharetta, Ga. Women’s soccer added. Cartersville Center closed.

1999 – Added baccalaureate programs in art and psychology, as well as accounting and information systems concentrations. Began athletic competition against other four-year schools and added tennis and cross country.  Opened the F. James and Florrie G. Funk Heritage Center. Launched institutional and athletic logos.Dr. William A. Nevious was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 18th president.

1998 – College switches to semesters. Baccalaureate program in education begins. $20 million Capital Campaign concludes and raises $30.5 million. William W. Fincher Jr. and Eunice L. Fincher Visual Arts Center built.

1997 – Baccalaureate programs in biology, communication and liberal studies added. Dobbs Science Building renovated. Cartersville Center opened.

1996 – Norman W. Paschall Plaza completed. Chatsworth Center closes. Dr. Newt Gingrich, who began co-teaching a Reinhardt history course in 1994, is named U.S. Speaker of the House.

1995 – North Fulton Center moves to Roswell Mall.

1994 – First two bachelor’s degrees awarded in business, and Reinhardt is accredited as a baccalaureate institution.

1993 – George M. Lawson Academic Center and McCamish Broadcast Center open.

1992 – Baccalaureate program in business administration began. Innovative campus-wide computer/video/phone network installed.

1991 – Evelyn Gordy Hospitality House moved from Atlanta to Campus. Intercollegiate soccer added.

1989 – Herbert I. and Lilla W. Gordy Hall completed. (Was named in 1994.)

1988 – Joseph Baxter Recreation Center built. First A Day for Reinhardt raises scholarship funds for local students.

1987 – Hagan Chapel (Waleska United Methodist Church) built. North Fulton Center opened in Roswell.

1986 – Bratton Carillon Tower built.

1985 – W. Frank and Evelyn J. Gordy Center opens.

1984 – Dr. Floyd A. Falany was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 17th president.

1983 – Women’s basketball and softball added. Centennial Celebration held.

1982 – Brown Athletic Center built. Intercollegiate men’s basketball reinstated. The Eagle was selected as the College’s official mascot

1980 – Lake Mullenix built.

1977 – Hal B. Wansley President’s Home built.

1975 – Chatsworth Center opens.

1973 – Dr. Allen O. Jernigan was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 16th president.

1969 – Hill Freeman Library, Cobb Hall and Roberts Hall built.

1957 – Student government association founded.

1956 – High school grades transfer to Cherokee High School.  Honors Day Program was inaugurated.

1951 – Burgess Administration Building completed.

1949 – U.S. Vice President Alben Barkley comes to “Soil Conservation Day.” In one day, 1,000 U.S. veterans and volunteers made almost $100,000 in improvements.

1944 – Dr. James Rowland Burgess, Jr.  was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 15th President.

1942 – Road paved from Canton to just east of Waleska.

In the early 1900s, additional farmland was purchased by the College to bring its total acreage to approximately 500. The farm furnished employment for students working their way through school and produced a large portion of the food needed in the dining hall. A herd of dairy cattle was obtained in 1929 and, in 1940, a canning plant was installed on campus to preserve summer’s surplus of fruits and vegetables for winter.

1939 – Paul Jones Hall built.

1929 – Electricity from Georgia Power comes to Reinhardt. Stock and dairy barns built. Students often work on the College farm to pay their way.

1927 – Reinhardt is accredited as a junior college.Professor William M. Bratton was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 14th President.

1926 – Samuel C. Dobbs Science Center built.

1925 – Public school system assumes responsibility for the grammar school, but the classes continue to meet on the Reinhardt campus until 1948.

1924 – The first issue of The Hiltonian, the student newspaper, was published in May.

1922 – Professor Ramsey Colquitt Sharp was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 13th President.

1917 – Professor E.P. Clark was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 11th President.

1918 – The Rev. Thomas M. Sullivan was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 12th President.

1916 – Campus power plant built.

1914 – Enrollment has grown to 340 pupils; 51 were in college classes.

1912 – Water system installed.

1911 – Reinhardt becomes a college.

1906 – First car driven on Campus.

1904 – Telephone installed in Waleska at President’s Home.

1903 – First business class offered.

1901 – First loan fund, “the Field Loan Fund” was established to help “worthy boys and girls get an education regardless of their conditions and surroundings.”

Professor Ramsey Colquitt Sharp was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s 10th President.

1897 – Dr. Richard W. Rogers was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s ninth President.

1896 – The Reverend J.S. Embry was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s eighth President.

1895 – Professor E.A. Cole was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s seventh President.

1893 – Military companies were established.  Sham battles between the companies were staged in the spring, and female students played the parts of nurses, who would rush into the scene of battle to nobly administer treatment. One afternoon of each commencement was dedicated to these battles.  By 1897, military training was compulsory for boys.  Each military unit also had a baseball team, which was the chief sport at the school at the time.

1891 – Legislature of Georgia grants a charter which changes Reinhardt’s name to Reinhardt Normal College.  The property was valued at $5,000.

The Rev. C.E. Patillo was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s sixth President.

1890 – The Henry W. Grady Debating Club for boys and the Delphian Literary Society for girls were established by then Reinhardt President the Rev. C.E. Patillo.  In 1892, it divided into two societies, the Pierces and the Haygoods, after two famous Methodist bishops.  In the same year, two debating societies for girls were organized: the Phi Alphas and Phi Deltas.

The Rev. R.F. Eakes was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s fifth President.

1889 – Reinhardt buildings and grounds are deeded to the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church. The first Board of Trustees was appointed at Reinhardt in 1889. It consisted of A.M. Reinhardt, John J. A.Sharp, J. M. G. Heard, Joseph M. Sharp, Elias Alexander Fincher and the Rev. Wilbur Fisk Glenn.

1888 – The first class graduated in 1888 with four members: Fredonia Blanton (niece of A.M. Reinhardt), William Alonzo Covington and John J. A. Sharp’s niece and nephew Joseph A. and Lucy Sharp. These graduates turned out to be an extremely distinguished class: Blanton spent more than 40 years as a teacher at Reinhardt, Covington became a judge, Joseph Sharp became president of Young Harris College, and Lucy Sharp married Dr. R. M. Moore, a doctor and civic leader for whom the local elementary school is named. Early commencements were community events, lasting several days and including pageants and military drills.

The Rev. Hubert Smith was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s fourth President.

1887 – Enrollment totals almost 100 students.  Total monthly expenses for a boarding student was about $7. The College’s curriculum, designed to train teachers and preachers, focused on language, mathematics, science, history and religion.

The Rev. C.M. Ledbetter was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s third President.

1886 – The Rev. O.C. Simmons was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s second President.

1885 – First administration building built.  In the spring of that year a tornado blew down much of the timber around Waleska, and this lumber was used to build the new structure.

1884 – Reinhardt Academy opens in a cabinet shop owned by Mr. M.P. Hollen near the present campus in January, and classes meet there for a year. The school is named for Reinhardt’s father. The first pupils range from elementary to college ages.  Between 40 and 50 pupils enrolled in the first school.

1883 – Captain A. M. Reinhardt and his brother-in-law, Mr. John J.A. Sharp, ask the conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in Dalton, Georgia, to provide a teacher and preacher for the children of Cherokee County.  Reinhardt agreed to be personally responsible for the teacher’s salary.

The Rev. James T. Linn was inaugurated as Reinhardt’s first President.