The Anderson University Archive is a division of Thrift Library. The Archive contains materials documenting the history of Anderson University and the special collections that reflect a significant relationship with Anderson University.

In keeping with the University's mission and vision, the Anderson University Archive provides a robust repository of materials demonstrating how the University has served Christ and community, for scholars seeking to engage with historical research relating to the University and its people. 

The Anderson University Archive acquires materials pertaining to the history of Anderson University or people and organizations with a significant relationship with Anderson University. 

Materials in the archives and special collection may contain language and ideas which do not reflect the current views of the university, but maintains these materials for educational purposes. 

This timeline is a work in progress. Please contact Kenzie Barnett or Helen Smith if you have questions or need additional information.

Before you dive into archival research, it is helpful to know what you want to research. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the various names, dates, acronyms, and tons of paper.

• To prepare, thing of what or who you're going to search.
  • What was the name of the event/person/phenomena?
  • What is the origin of your topic?
  • What time period would be relevant to search?
  • Are there other topics that may be relevant to yours for you to examine?
• Remember to consider the changes in language, society, and the worldview framework that has developed since the time of your topic.
  • Example: we may not think much of the word "pregnant" today, but before the 1960s, people thought it to be a scandalous term. Instead of searching for information about "pregnancy," you may need to adjust your search terms to "in the family way," "expecting," or "with child."
• Read some broader information about your topics. What do others have to say about it? What discussion has already been covered, and what are you bringing to the table with your findings?
• At a dead end? Discuss your topic with your professor, or contact someone at Thrift!

Finding Aid: A finding aid is a guide to what kinds of things you are likely to find in an archival collection, how to look for those things, and how to use them. A finding aid is like an index to a book, but it guides you through the items on the shelves. *

Series: A series is how we label portions of collections, similar to chapters in a book.

Archivist: An individual who works to organize archival collections and make them accessible for research. Archivists don't just work with old papers and books; archivists work with computer files, photographs, artifacts, maps, sound recordings, textiles, and film.

Provenance: Information regarding the origins, custody, and ownership of an item or collection. 

What's the difference between conservation and preservation? Conservation counters existing damage, as distinguished from preservation, which attempts to prevent damage. **

*Definition courtesy of Jill Severn, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies.

** Definition courtesy of the Society of American Archivists Glossary of Archival Records and Terminology

Some historical AU material is currently stored on the Internet Archive. This includes academic catalogs & bulletins, literary magazines, student handbooks, viewbooks, and yearbooks.

The Orion was the journal of literature for Anderson College for 1916-1925 before what is now known as Ivy Leaves, which has been in publication since 1964. Between the old and new journals, a brief revival called Footnotes was published in 1950. 

Editions of former yearbook publications, Columns and The Sororian, are available digitally from 1942-1996 and in physical form at Thrift Library. 

Anderson College issued a series of Viewbooks in the early years of the school's operation, which served as a combination of a picture book and catalog. 

The AU Archive contains previous student handbooks.

The AU Archive contains copies of Anderson College and Anderson University catalogs.

Thrift Library and the AU Archive include books written about the history of Anderson University. 

The AU Archive includes a collection of old and rare books focusing on the following areas:

• Baptist History
• Anderson University history
• Local, upstate South Carolina history

1. Baring-Gould, S. Legends of the Patriarchs and Prophets and Other Old Testament Characters. New York: John B. Alden, 1885.
2. Barnes, Lemuel Call. Two Thousand Years of Missions Before Carey: Based Upon and Embodying Many of the Earliest Extant Accounts. Chicago: The Christian Culture Press, 1900. 
3. Barnes, Lemuel Call. Pioneers of Light: The First Century of the American Baptist Publication Society, 1924-1924. Philadelphia: The American Baptist Publication Society, 1924.
4. Barton, Bruce. What Can a Man Believe? Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, c. 1927.
5. Basmajian, Krikor Hagop. Life in the Orient: with Numerous Illustrations. New York City: American Tract Society, c. 1910.
6. Bettany, G. T. A Sketch of the History of Judaism and Christianity in the Light of modern Research and Criticism. London: Ward, Lock, Bowden, 1892.
7. Bible Readings for the Home Circle: A Topical Study of the Bible Systematically Arranged for Home and Private Study: Containing Two Hundred Readings, in which are Answered Nearly Four Thousand Questions on Important Religious Subjects. Washington: Review and Herald Publishing Association, c. 1915.
8. Boardman, George Dana. The Church (Ecclesia). New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1901. 
9. Bradley-Birt, F. B. Persia: Through Persia from the Gulf to the Caspian. Boston and Tokyo: J. B. Millet, c. 1910. 
10. Brinkley, F. Japan and China. Boston: J. B Millet, 1901-1902.
11. Brown, Clinton C. Thoughts Towards Sunset. Greenville, S.C.: The Courier Printing Co., c. 1920.
12. Brown, Glenn. History of the United States Capitol. Washington: Government Print Office, 1900-1903. 
13. Burnett, J. J. Sketches of Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers: Being, Incidentally, a History of Baptist Beginnings in the Several Associations in the State. Nashville: Press of Marshall & Bruce, c. 1919.
14. Burress, Luther Rice. According to Scripture. Nashville: Marshall & Bruce Company, c. 1923.
15. Burroughs, Prince Emanuel. Old Testament Studies: A Class Book. Nashville: Sunday School Board, Southern Baptist Convention, 1924. 
16. Butterfield, Kenyon L. The Country Church and the Rural Problem. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1911. 
17. Clement, Ernest W. A Short History of Japan. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1915.
18. Cowman, Charles E. Streams in the Desert. Los Angeles: Oriental Missionary Society, 1925. 
19. Cox, Norman Wade. Youth's Return to Faith. Philadelphia: The Judson Press, c. 1938.
20. Cross, Wilbur L. The Development of the English Novel. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1899. 
21. Dale, James Gary. Mexico and Our Mission (Associate Reformed Presbyterian). Lebanon, P.A.: Press of Sowers Printing Company, c. 1910.
22. Davenport, Frederick Morgan. Primitive Traits in Religious Revivals: A Study in Mental and Social Evolution. New York and London: MacMillan, 1905. 
23. Edersheim, Alfred. Bible History. New York: Revell, 1885-1887. 
24. Ellis, William T. Bible Lands To-day. New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1927. 
25. Emerson, Edwin. A History of the Nineteenth Century: Year by Year. New York: P.F. Collier and Son, 1900.
26. Emerton, Ephraim. Mediaeval Europe, 814-1300. Boston: Ginn & Company, 1894. 
27. Feeman, Harlan Luther. The Kingdom and the Farm. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1914. 
28. Fleming, Daniel Johnson. Contacts with Non-Christian Cultures. New York: George H. Doran Company, c. 1923.
29. Gore, Charles. Belief in Christ. New York: Scribner, 1922.
30. Green, Harry Clinton. The Pioneer Mothers of America: A Record of the More Notable Women of the Early Days of the Country, and Particularly of the Colonial and Revolutionary Periods. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, C. 1912.
31. Gregory, John Milton. The Seven Laws of Teaching. Nashville: Sunday-School Board, Southern Baptist Convention, 1917.
32. Hamilton, A. Afghanistan. Boston and Tokyo: J. B. Millet Company, c. 1910. 
33. Hamilton, A. Korea; its History, its People, and its Commerce. Boston: J. B. Millet Company, c. 1910. 
34. Hervey, George Winifred. The Story of Baptist Mission in Foreign Lands. St. Louis: C. R. Barns, 1884. 
35. Hugo, Victor. The Man Who Laughs. London: Standard Book Co., 1931. 
36. Hyakuzo, Kurata. The Priest and His Disciples: A Play.  Kanda, Tokyo: Hokuseido, 1922.
37. Jennings, William Beatty. The Social Teachings of Christ Jesus: A Manual for Bible Classes, Christian Associations, Social Study Groups, Etc. New YorkL Fleming H. Revell Company, c. 1915. 
38. Jones, E. Stanley. The Christ of the Indian Road. New York: The Abingdon Press, c. 1925.
39. Jones, Frank Dudley. History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina since 1850. Columbia, S.C.: The R.L. Bryan Company, 1926. 
40. Jones, Samuel I. Mathematical Wrinkles for Teachers and Private Learners. Gunter, T.X.: S. I. Jones, c. 1912. 
41. Kelly, Robert Talbot. Burma: the Land of the People. Boston: J.B. Millet Company, 1910. 
42. Langenwalter, Jacob Hermann. Christ's Headship of the Church. Berne, India: Mennonite Book Concern, 1917.
43. Leonard, Adna Wright. Decisive Days in Social and Religious Progress. New York: The Abingdon Press, c. 1935. 
44. Love, J. F. Missionary Messages. New York: George H. Doran, 1922. 
45. Love, J. F. The Mission of Our Nation. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1912.
46. Lytton, Edward Bulwer. "My Novel," or, Varieties in English Life. New York: Mershon, c. 1900s.
47. MacGregor, G. H. C. The Things of the Spirit: The Teaching of the Word of God about the Spirit of God. New York: Revell, 1898. 
48. Mann, Thomas. Joseph in Egypt. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1944. 
49. Mann, Thomas. Joseph and his Brothers. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1938. 
50. Mann, Thomas. Young Joseph. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1939. 
51. Masters, Victor Irvine. Country Church in the South. Atlanta: Publicit5y Department of the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, c. 1916. 
52. McGlothlin, William Joseph. The Course of Christian History. New York: MacMillan, 1918.
53. McKinnney, A. H. The Sunday-School Teacher at His Best. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, c. 1915. 
54. Meyer, F. B. Light on Life's Duties. Chicago: The Bible Institute Colportage Association, c. 1895. 
55. Miyamori, Asataro. Tales from Old Japanese Dramas. New York: G. P. Putnam, 1915.
56. Montgomery, Helen Barrett. The King's Highway: A Study of Present Conditions on the Foreign Field. West Medford, M.A.: The Central Committee on the United Study of Foreign Missions, c. 1915. 
57. Mott, John Raleigh. Confronting Young Men with the Living Christ. New York: Association Press, 1923.
58. Mühlbach, L. Frederick the Great and His Family. New York: A. L. Fowle, Publishers, 1907. 
59. Mühlbach, L. Frederick the Great and His Family: An Historical Romance. Akron, O.H.: New Werner Company, 1893. 
60. Neely, Thomas B. South America: Its Missionary Problems. New York: Young People's Missionary Movement of the United States and Canada, 1909. 
61. Nitobe, Inazō. Bushido: The Soul of Japan: An Exposition of Japanese Thought. Tokyo: Kenkyusha, 1936. 
62. Overstreet, H. A. The Enduring Quest, a Search for a Philosophy of Life. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., c. 1931. 
63. Phelan, Macum. Handbook of All Denominations. Nashville: Cokesbury Press, 1929. 
64. Plato. Phaedo: or The Immortality of the Soul. New York: Hurst & Co., n. d. 
65. Porter, John William. The World's Debt to the Baptists. Louisville: Baptist Book Concern, c. 1914. 
66. Pott, F. L. Hawks. The Emergency in China. New York: Missionary Education Movement of the United States and Canada, 1913. 
67. Prestridge, J. N. The Church a Composite Life. Louisville: The World Press, 1911. 
68. Rauschenbusch, Walter. Christianity and the Social Crisis. New York: MacMillan Company, 1920. 
69. Rauschenbusch, Walter. Christianizing the Social Order. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1923. 
70. Ray, T. B. Southern Baptist Foreign Missions. Nashville: Sunday School Board, Southern Baptist Convention, c. 1910. 
71. Richardson, Samuel. Pamela. London: J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd., 1933. 
72. Robertson, Scott J. W. The Foundations of Japan: Notes Made During Journeys of 6,600 Miles in the Rural Districts as a Basis for a Sounder Knowledge of the Japanese People.  New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1922. 
73. Rodeheaver, Homer A. Song Stories of the Sawdust Trail. New York: Moffat, Yard, and Co., 1917. 
74. Seymour, Robert G. Fresh Water from Old Wells. Philadelphia: The Griffith & Rowland Press, 1908. 
75. Spilman, Bernard Washington. A Study of Religious Pedagogy: Based on Our Lord's Interview with the Woman of Samaria. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, c. 1920.
76. Stall, Sylvanus. Five Minute Object Sermons to Children: Through Eye-Gate and Ear-Gate into the City of Child-Soul. Philadelphia: The Vir Publishing Company,  c. 1907.
77. Sterne, Laurence. The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. London: J. M. Dent, 1915.
78. Ten Boom, Corrie. The Hiding Place. Washington Depot, Connecticut: Chosen Books, 1971.
79. Tennyson, Alfred. The Princess: A Medley. New York: Macmillan Co., 1022. 
80. The Holy Bible from Ancient Eastern Manuscripts. Philadelphia: A. J. Holman Co., 1957.
81. Thomas, Calvin. A History of German Literature. New York: D. Appleton, 1914. 
82. Tupper, Henry Allen. Two Centuries of the First Baptist Church of South Carolina, 1683-1883. With Supplement. Baltimore: R. H. Woodward & Company, 1889.
83. Vedder, Henry C. A Short History of Baptist Missions. Philadelphia: The Judson Press, 1927. 
84. Wallace, Donald Mackenzie. Russia. Boston and Tokyo: J. B. Millet Company, c. 1910.
85. Weatherford, Willis D. Christian Life: A Normal Experience. Nashville: Publishing House Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1916. 
86. Wells, Amos R. Teacher that Teach. Nashville: Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, c. 1924. 
87. Whilden, Lula F. Life Sketches from a Heathen Land. Greenville, S.C.: Woman's Missionary Union of South Carolina, 1917.
88. Wright, William Kelley. A Student's Philosophy of Religion. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1926. 

Dr. Annie Dove Denmark

Dr. Annie Dove Denmark was the first female college president in South Carolina and at Anderson College as an institution. She was responsible for the survival of the college during the financial hardship of the Great Depression, and the strife of the Second World War. 

• Boardman, George Dana. The Church (Ecclesia). New York: C. Scribner's Sons, 1901. 
• Cowman, Charles E. Streams in the Desert. Los Angeles: Oriental Missionary Society, 1925. 
• Cox, Norman Wade. Youth's Return to Faith. Philadelphia: The Judson Press, c. 1938.
• Hugo, Victor. The Man Who Laughs. London: Standard Book Co., 1931.
• Leonard, Adna Wright. Decisive Days in Social and Religious Progress. New York: The Abingdon Press, c. 1935. 
• Mann, Thomas. Joseph and his Brothers. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1938. 
• Mann, Thomas. Young Joseph. New York: A. A. Knopf, 1939.
• McGlothlin, William Joseph. The Course of Christian History. New York: MacMillan, 1918.
• Overstreet, H. A. The Enduring Quest, a Search for a Philosophy of Life. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., c. 1931. 

J. Webb & J. Henry von Hasseln

Jefferson Webb von Hasseln and John Henry von Hasseln were a father-son team who served Anderson College in various faculty positions, including as deans and department heads in the early days of the college. 

• Emerson, Edwin. A History of the Nineteenth Century: Year by Year. New York: P.F. Collier and Son, 1900.
• Lytton, Edward Bulwer. "My Novel," or, Varieties in English Life. New York: Mershon, c. 1900s.
• Mühlbach, L. Frederick the Great and His Family. New York: A. L. Fowle, Publishers, 1907. 
• Plato. Phaedo: or The Immortality of the Soul. New York: Hurst & Co., n. d. 

The painting, (Drinking from) Living Water was the work of a former Graphic Design student, Luan Jenkins, from the class of 2008. 

Corporal Freddie Stowers displayed extraordinary heroism on September 28, 1918, leading his squad in a fierce assault on Hill 188 in France during World War I. As his company advanced, the enemy feigned surrender, only to unleash devastating machine gun and mortar fire, inflicting heavy casualties. Amid the chaos, Stowers took command, fearlessly leading his men forward under relentless fire. With unwavering courage, he crawled toward an enemy machine gun nest, rallying his squad as they destroyed the position. Even after being mortally wounded, he pressed on, urging his men to continue the attack. Inspired by his bravery, they pushed forward, securing the hill and inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Corporal Stowers’ selfless sacrifice and indomitable spirit embody the highest ideals of military service, bringing immense honor to himself and the United States Army. Stowers was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor accredited to Anderson County by President George H. W. Bush on April 24th, 1991. The Anderson University statue was dedicated to his memory on November 10th, 2015, and it is located outside of Thrift Library.

Melanie's Awakening is a sculpture by Mark Hopkins, celebrating the life of Melanie Delores Gulledge and the service of her father, Van S. Gulledge, who was a member of the Board of Trustees of Anderson College from 2000 to 2005. It expresses gratitude to the University for nurturing students in Christ-likeness and sending them out into the world to improve it. 

Dear to our hearts is our Alma Mater

Loyal and true are we;

Truest devotion till life is ended,

Holy we pledge to thee.

Tho’ from thy halls far away we wander,

Thoughts back to thee will fly,

And tender mem’ries time cannot sever,

Love that will never die.

Heaven’s choicest blessings ever attend thee,

Dear alma mater mine -

No shadows harm thee, no fears alarm thee,

Always the sunshine thine.

And tho’ we leave thee, we’ll never grieve thee,

True to our trust will be;

Our best endeavor, now and forever,

Always to honor thee.

Words and music by Mrs. Charles S Sullivan, Senior. Copyright 1916

The sounds of Anderson live in my heart,

Live in my memories, the sounds of joy;

The dreams of Anderson tell tales of tears and happiness

In golden days gone by.

Seeds of learning will flourish;

New friends will guide us through the land.

These are the friendships we cherish

Touched by God’s almighty hand.

We know we love our alma mater;

We know the joy of life she brings,

Ah, but there’s one thing that only God can know;

What Anderson means to me.

Copyright 2009

Anderson College established the tradition of the Crook, dating back as early as the 1919-1920 school year, from what can be verified, but is believed to be as old as 1917. The origin of "hide-the-crook" tradition is common in higher education, but is unclear to any specific institution. Montevallo University (formerly Alabama College) has a longstanding history that is still running today, but their tradition is only traceable to 1926, where the "Finder" is recognized at their Founders' Day celebrations. Today, they continue the Crook tradition with updates about the Crook's whereabouts in emails and social media posts. Additionally, "crooking" traditions are found in Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, and Averett University in Danville, VA, but are present in other higher education histories as well. This tradition most commonly originates with all-female liberal arts schools in the South. It is likely that Anderson College inherited the tradition when Annie Dove Denmark and Grace Cronkhite came from Meredith College to Anderson College in 1917.

The practice within this tradition includes a shepherd's crook, and an ongoing game reminiscent of "Capture the Flag" and "Hide-and-Seek," wherein the sophomore class would hide the crook on campus for the freshman class to find, and when the freshmen found it, they would go on to hide it again for the sophomores to find, and would continue in a cycle until commencement of the school year. There was some practice of switching off between classes when the college was originally a four-year institution, but most of the gameplay years fell in the time period when Anderson College was a two-year junior college, so it only needed to switch between the freshman and sophomore classes. Rules of Crooking at Anderson College dictated that the Crook had to be hidden on campus, and at least six inches of the crook must be visible at all times. Ideally, the sophomores would have located the crook by the time of commencement, before they left the school.

Most of the Crook's legend is unclear, but fascinating in what can be known. At one point, a duplicate Crook was made in order for the Dean of Women to preserve the original in their office. In a 1956 edition of The Yodler, the black-and-white photo makes the Crook appear to be white in color, and the color is corroborated by the mention of a "white and gold" Crook in the 1920 Sororian, indicating the existence of yet another Crook. The ceremonial Crook kept by the university is recognizable because it had a break in the head that had been attempted to be repaired, and was tied with ribbons.

From what is documented, the tradition of the Crook began to fade away in the 1960s, with Charles Sullivan, former Dean of Students stating that it was a Christmas tradition when he was a student in 1967, but when he returned as staff in the early 1970s, the tradition seemed to have faded from practice. 

There was an attempt at revival of the Crook tradition in the early 1990s, according to Dr. Bob Hanley; however, the revival did not make landfall and did not become reintegrated into Student Life. 

On Friday, October 7, 2016, a mysterious donor visited the campus safety with a crook that he asked be given to the Dean of Women. Since that position no longer exists, the crook was given to the university's archive. 

The particularly strange part of this donation was the fact that the university was already in possession of a ceremonial crook, matching the description mentioned with the broken part in the top, therefore there was at least one crook at the university. This was not the white crook from the photo in the 1956 Yodler, either. However, in some yearbook photos, the mystery crook was present. 

To this day, the university possesses the Mystery Crook, with its strong curve and flat sides, and the Ceremonial Crook, with the broken head and tied ribbon, but the White Crook mentioned in the 1920 Sororian and photographed in the 1956 Yodler is missing in action.

The reason for the changing Crooks is unclear, and the location and ownership of the Mystery Crook for the past near-fifty years is still unknown.

For many years, the annuals (yearbooks) - both The Sororian and Columns - include poems, songs, and many different mentions and celebrations of the crook.

 1920

 1922

 1923

  1924

  1925

 1926

 1927 

 1928

For several years, there was little to no more mention of the Crook in the yearbooks-- certainly no printing of the legends, the songs, and stories. One later yearbook mention of the Crook was speaking of the Halloween Crook party, 1963. 

 1963

Nezahet Nurettin Eğe, a Turkish national in New York City, envisioned a play and sought composer Lily Strickland’s help to bring it to life. Their collaboration led to The Magic School Bag, an operetta that was lost to history as World War II unfolded. Decades later, Dr. Güneş N. Eğe rediscovered it while researching her family’s past. She partnered with Anderson University’s Thrift Library and Converse College’s Mickel Library to reconstruct the work, reviving it 80 years after its creation.

Nezahet Nurettin Eğe (1901–1994) was born in Der Saadet (now Istanbul) during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. She witnessed its fall, corresponded with an exiled prince, and was an active member of the Turkish Hearth (Türk Ocağı) during the Republic’s formation. Dedicated to advancing education and quality of life in Turkey, she and her husband, Ragıp Nurettin, later served as Cultural Attachés in the United States. There, her ideas thrived, leading to a collaboration with composer Lily Strickland on a proposed manuscript.

Lily Strickland (1884 - 1958) was born in Anderson, South Carolina. She was a prolific composer, writer and painter. She studied composition and piano at Converse College, and went on to attend the Institute of Musical Arts in New York (forerunner to Juilliard). 

Dr. Güneş Nurettin Eğe, born in Istanbul in 1933, spent her early years in New York, where her father, Ragıp Nurettin Eğe, served as Turkey’s first Cultural Attaché to the U.S. Her mother, Nezahet Nurettin Eğe, launched her writing career there, introducing American children to Turkish culture through Turgut Lives in Turkey. With the outbreak of World War II, the family returned to Istanbul in 1940 aboard the last merchant marine ship to cross the Atlantic. To preserve their bilingualism, Güneş and her sister, Seyhan, were initially homeschooled and taught Ottoman Turkish, a skill that would later prove invaluable.

Güneş continued her education at the American College for Girls in Istanbul, graduating in 1952 before enrolling at Barnard College and later Harvard Medical School, where she was one of only ten women in a class of 135. Her success contributed to proving women’s place in medicine—today, female students make up more than half of Harvard Medical School’s admissions. After earning her degree in 1958 and completing postgraduate training in London, she specialized in radiation oncology and joined The Ontario Cancer Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital in 1967. There, she played a key role in refining lymphoscintigraphy, a crucial imaging technique for cancer treatment.

Now retired in Toronto with her husband, Turgut A. Akter, Dr. Eğe has dedicated herself to preserving her family’s history. Her early training in Ottoman Turkish has enabled her to decipher and publish works based on family archives. In memory of her sister, she established the Professor Seyhan N. Eğe ACG’49 Excellence in Science Award for Girls at Robert College, supporting young women in science and honoring Seyhan’s legacy in chemistry.

School Bag (Mektepli Çantası in Turkish) is a play by Ragıp Nurettin Eğe, written in the early 1930s while he was Deputy Minister of Primary Schools. Featuring talking school supplies, it promoted nationalism for the Turkish Republic’s anniversary and later inspired Nezahet Nurettin Eğe’s operetta, The Magic School Bag. Dedicated to education and culture, the Eğes worked together to shape Turkey’s future through politics, teaching, and the arts. This play exemplifies their commitment to education and national identity, serving as both a cultural promotion and the foundation for a later musical adaptation.

Special thanks to Dr. Güneş N. Eğe for donating the following document to the Thrift Library of Anderson University. 

A Musical Fantasy: Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4

A Musical Play: Parts 1, 2, 3, & 4

Overture

The original documents are held in the Archives of the Mickel Library at Converse College. 

The Magic School Bag is a rather free and loosely abridged version of Mektepli Cantasi that combines contents of a school bag with a little boy's dream of fairyland to create an English libretto. Mrs. Eğe wrote this as a way to bring Turkish children alive for American children, though Ms. Strickland convinced her to cut down on the Turkish motifs. At the urging of one of her daughters' teachers, she reached out to Lily Strickland to craft it into a published operetta. Ultimately, this did not occur as publishers did not pick it up and World War II began, sending the Eğe family back to Turkey. Yet the drafts remain. This manuscript is an edited version of the story with marks from Ms. Strickland on where she planned to insert the music, which can be noted in the above papers provided by Mickel Library. 

Special thanks to Dr. Güneş N. Eğe for donating the following documents to the Thrift Library of Anderson University.

The Magic School Bag edited manuscript

Mrs. Eğe had an idea for an operetta and was encouraged to reach out to Ms. Strickland to request her collaboration. Both parties were excited about the project and maintained a correspondence between November 1938 and January 1940. Following are letters kept by Mrs. Eğe documenting Ms. Strickland's interest and many initiatives in this regard. 

Special thanks to Dr. Güneş N. Eğe for donating the following documents to the Thrift Library of Anderson University.

• November 16th, 1938
• November 23rd, 1938
• November 30th, 1938 
• December 1st, 1938
• December 2nd, 1938
• December 6th, 1938
• December 9th, 1938
• January 17th, 1939
• April 11th, 1939
• April 13th, 1939
• April 28th, 1939
• January 7th, 1940
• January 22nd, 1940

"In the spring of 1910 G.M. Tolly, the president of the Chamber [of Commerce], called a meeting of the members to make definite plans for a campaign to raise funds and start a women's college. A committee composed of W. R. Osborne (chairman), J. L. Shrard and Leon L. Rice (secretary) was appointed. This committee interviewed many the leading citizens to obtains their support. Letters were sent out to leaders in the community urging them to attend an important meeting a the courthouse to make plans for a campaign. A group of influential people met a the appointed place on April 21, 1910. Plans for obtaining subscriptions were agreed upon and solicitors were appointed to secure subscriptions toward a goal of $100,000." (p.12)

Hester, H. I. 1969. They That Wait: a History of Anderson College. Anderson, S.C.: Anderson College.

In 1910, a group of donors collectively donated $100,000 and secured 32 acres to the foundation of a college for women: Anderson College. That amount of money today would be more similar to $3.2 Million due to inflation. 

Annie Dove Denmark was a trailblazing leader at Anderson College, serving as its first female president from 1928 to 1953. She was the first woman to lead a college in South Carolina, guiding the college through the Great Depression and ensuring its financial stability. Under her leadership, the school expanded its academic programs and strengthened its reputation. Denmark’s dedication to Christian education and the empowerment of women left a lasting impact on the university. Today, her legacy is honored through campus landmarks and scholarships that continue to support students in their pursuit of higher education.

They That Wait: A  History of Anderson College by Hubert Inman Hester.

White Echoes: A Volume of Echoes from Sermons Preached by John Ellington White During His Pastorate of the First Baptist Church, Anderson, SC by John Ellington White and contributions from Annie Dove Denmark.

Dr. Annie Dove Denmark, South Carolina's First Female College President by Kathryn Copeland, Anne Marie Martin, and Linda Millwood

• Denmark Dress (back)
• Denmark graduation cap
• Other graduation cap
• Denmark graduation gown
• Denmark graduation gown with hood
• Denmark graduation gown with hood (back)

Dress owned and worn by Annie Dove Denmark, available for viewing in the Archive by appointment.

• Life of A.D. Denmark Timeline
• 1959 Letter from Denmark to Anderson College Alumni
• 1949 Letter from Denmark to Anderson College Alumni
• Family poem by Denmark
• Statement of Faculty Development, 1945
• Founders Day announcement, 1950
• Donor letter from Founders' Day, Denmark & Trustees to W.S. Brooke
• Letter following Denmark's retirement to a trusted friend about the following president
• Denmark's Dean of Women acceptance speech
• "Scroll of Honor" for Denmark from Anderson Daily Mail
• Commendation of A.D. Denmark by City of Anderson, 1953
• J.E. Rouse invites Denmark to visit after conferring Certificate of Service, 1961
• Denmark invites Baptist pastors to celebrate Christian Education Day (June 22), 1952
• Presidential Address to Collegians, 1944

• Denmark's notes from chapel services
• Denmark's notes from services at the theological school she attended, 1917-1919

Annie Dove Denmark's personal scrapbook (Four parts: 1, 2, 3, & 4)

Anderson College History scrapbook made by Annie Dove Denmark (Four parts: 1, 2, 3, & 4)

For the university's centennial, Anderson University produced an original play based on the life of Annie Dove Denmark, South Carolina's first female college president who piloted the college's administration from 1928 to 1953, through the financial hardship of the Great Depression and the grief of the Second World War. The Denmark Story by Scott Kirk, displays her leadership and celebrates her accomplishments as part of a celebration of her contribution to 100 years of Anderson University. 

 Photos of Dr. Annie Dove Denmark

• Framed portrait of Dr. Denmark
  • Room where portrait is displayed
• Dr. Denmark with the 1962 members of the Denmark Society
• Denmark and associates
• Dr. Denmark with the Board of Trustees
  • Front row (left to right)
    • Rev. W.P. Hall of Anderson
    • DaCosta Brown of Camden
    • Dr. A.L. Smethers, Chairman of Anderson
    • Dr. Denmark
    • Fred Vaughan of Lancaster
    • William D. Brown of Anderson
  • Second row (left to right)
    • Mrs. F.C. McConnell of Anderson
    • L.L. Rice of Anderson
    • Mrs. Olin D. Johnston of Washington, D.C. 
    • Charles Stogner of Camden
    • Mrs. Charles S. Sullivan of Anderson
    • Mark F. Hawthorne of Anderson
  • Text from back of photo indicates the rows, and says "Daily Mail Photo" indicating this photo came from the Anderson Daily Mail
• Denmark in official cap and gown
  • Photo 1
  • Photo 2
• The Board of Trustees presents Dr. Denmark with a new car
• Dr. Denmark with an unknown man
• Dr. Denmark and the Board of Trustees at graduation event
• Dr. Denmark and another man in regalia at graduation 
• Young Dr. Denmark in front of Merritt
• Dr. Denmark (possibly with members of the Board of Trustees)
• Dr. Denmark sitting with students by the fire
• Dr. Denmark at a graduation event

Johnny Mann (1928–2014) was a Grammy-winning composer, arranger, and conductor best known for leading The Johnny Mann Singers, a vocal group popular in the 1950s and ’60s. He worked with stars like Johnny Mathis and Nat King Cole, composed music for radio and television, and was the voice of Theodore for the 1960s edition of Alvin & The Chipmunks. Mann had a deep connection to Anderson, SC, where he lived for many years and was actively involved in the community and the university. Johnny Mann wrote the Alma Mater, "The Sounds of Anderson," and the Commercial Music Center was named in his honor upon his death in 2014.

At that time, Anderson University was privileged to acquire the Johnny Mann Commercial Music Collection from Pepperdine University in California. This vast collection consists of over 500 sets of musical scores as well as vocal and instrumental parts that were performed during Mr. Mann’s career as leader of the Johnny Mann Singers. The collection also includes some of his possessions such as his baton, piano, and several prized possessions. There are also many framed pictures, legal music contracts, recordings, and several awards.

Johnny Mann presents his memoir about his storied career in Hollywood in the golden age of choral conducting as told to journalist and author Kathryn Smith. John appeared at the White House, won two Grammy Awards, worked with a who’s who in entertainment and was even the voice of a certain famous chipmunk. This paperback book is packed with color and black and white photographs!

Johnny Mann wrote the university's alma mater, "The Sounds of Anderson," in 2009.

Johnny Mann was given a star in the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on April 4th, 1998. 

Lily Strickland (1884 - 1958) was born in Anderson, South Carolina. She was a prolific composer, writer and painter. She studied composition and piano at Converse College, and went on to attend the Institute of Musical Arts in New York (forerunner to Juilliard). She and her husband traveled and lived all over the world including India, Africa, and Asia; all of which would influence her works. One very well-known piece is “Mah Lindy Lou”, which has been performed by the likes of the New York Philharmonic and Burl Ives among others. During her lifetime she published 395 musical works, many of which her own watercolors appear on, and published various travel essays for American magazines.

Anderson University Archives houses hundreds of musical scores by Lily Strickland, as well as other memorabilia. The library also features the largest collection of artwork by Lily Strickland.

• Lily Strickland, South Carolina's Gift to American Music by Ann Whitworth Howe (book)
• Lily Strickland: Her Contribution to American Music in the Early Twentieth Century by Ann Whitworth Howe (dissertation)

Lily Strickland made many watercolor paintings depicting her travels to India; a number of these paintings are available for viewing in the archives.

Some of her sheet music is available for viewing in the university archives by appointment.

Manson Sherrill Jolly was a Confederate soldier from Anderson, South Carolina, whose name is wrapped in both legend and controversy. After the Civil War, devastated by the loss of his brothers, he allegedly carried out violent attacks against Union troops during Reconstruction. While some turned him into a folk hero, the reality is far darker—his actions were rooted in vengeance and resistance to progress. His legacy persists in local stories, and landmarks like "Manse Jolly Road" serve as reminders of his controversial yet enduring place in the region’s history.

Manse Jolly's furlough papers, 1861.

Manse Jolly's letter to his sister on September 27th, 1866.

Manse Jolly's letter to his sister from Jackson, Mississippi, on October 20th, 1866.

Manse Jolly's letter to his sister from Lebanon, Louisiana, on November 4th, 1866.

Manse Jolly's letter to his mother from Milam County, Texas, on November 25th, 1866.

 Manse Jolly's letter to his sister from Bachelors Hall, Texas, on January 28, 1967. 

 Manse Jolly's letter to his sister from Delectable Hall, Texas, on February 24th, 1867.

 Manse Jolly's letter to his sister from Bachelors Hall, Texas, on April 16th, 1867. 

 Manse Jolly's letter to his sister from Cameron, Texas, on June 9th, 1867.

Manse Jolly's second letter to his sister from Cameron, Texas, undated but estimated from 1867.

Manse Jolly's death was documented in the following letters:

   From July 12, 1869.

From August 2, 1869.