As a 1955 graduate of South Carolina State College, I was honored to have been selected to create a quilt to commemorate her first 100 years. I wanted my creation to meet three criteria: provide a nostalgic trip down memory lane for alumni; offer a historical perspective for present and future students; and give an aesthetically pleasing insight into the SCSU experience to other viewers.
Only one thing was a given: Maroon and Blue are the school colors. Imagination and access to the expansive Archives provided the final format which was divided into quarters of a century: Top-1896-1921; Bottom-1922-1946; Left-1947-1971; Right-1972-1996.
In the center of the quilt is a copy of the official Centennial Logo flanked on the four corners by copies of the actual covers of College Bulletins. The selected bulletins reflect the four names in the history of the institution: Colored Normal Industrial, Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina (Catalogue for 1896-97, Parks and Cannon, Printers); State Agricultural and Mechanical College; South Carolina State College; and South Carolina State University.
The appliqued bell and roses at the top are symbolic of the Bell Tower that stood in the campus' Rose Garden. For several decades, the bell summoned students to classes and meals.
From the Archives, I selected photographs that would accurately sing the praise of Alma Mater-- landmarks, such as the brick arch which welcomed you to the campus; the cow which was a part of the Agriculture majors' farm; The Old Red Inn-the 1896 original boys' dormitory; White Hall, Brooks Infirmary, and other demolished buildings; all who have served the College/University as president; three young martyrs, massacred on campus in pursuit of our civil rights, and the monument erected in their honor; four of our several R.O.T.C. graduates who have attained the rank of general; graduates who have become highly visible - Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, Tuskegee University president, et al.; and those less visible who are making a positive difference in their communities. In addition, there are photographs of past and present athletic teams, bands, faculty members, students, and events - including the Annual Easter Message by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays. Do you remember that we COULD NOT go home for Easter during those years?
Also included are copies of the sheet music for the Alma Mater by former President Robert Shaw Wilkinson and T.D. Phillips(class of 1927) and the Evening Song by 1939 alumnus/SCSC Band Director, Reginald R. Thomasson :
Hail, Hail, Dear Alma Mater,
Hail, Hail, Dear SCC,
We'll Defend and Honor,
Love and Cherish Thee.
*****
*****
We Hear Thy Call,
We Give Our All,
To Thee, At Eventide.
The quilt is housed in the I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium on the campus of South Carolina State University. While each Stateite could not be personally included, it is my hope that by identifying with a pictured friend, acquaintance, mentor, classmate, teacher, building, organization, or event, EVERY person who has ever walked the groves and classic halls of SCSU will vicariously become a part of the quilt.
Marlene
