Robert Herring Wright (1870–1934) was inaugurated as the first president of East Carolina Teachers Training School on November 12, 1909, in an impressive ceremony held in the auditorium of the Administration and Classroom Building (later, Austin), the new campus’ cupola-topped architectural centerpiece. Initially planned for October 7, two days after the opening of classes, the inauguration was postponed to November 12 due to delays in grounds construction. Newly elected Gov. William Walton Kitchin (1866–1924) and former-Gov. Thomas J. Jarvis (1836–1915) were scheduled to speak, but due to sickness, neither was able to participate. Nevertheless, compared to later inaugurations at East Carolina, the first stands unmatched because it crowned not only a president, but included the public christening of six brand-new brick buildings — fully equipped with steam heat, water, electric lights, and “all modern conveniences” — on a brand-new 47-acre campus. Simultaneously, it honored the founding faculty and the charter class of 123 students. Later ceremonies, while surely grand occasions, were coupled with commencements or founders’ day celebrations, and typically alluded back to that of 1909.
Amplifying the importance of the ceremonies at the national level was the inauguration of a new president at Harvard, Abbott Lawrence Lowell (1856–1943), on October 6, 1909. Lowell remained Harvard’s president until 1933, nearly matching Wright’s tenure at ECTTS which ended with his passing in 1934, during his 25th year as president. The ceremonial resonance and dissonance between the inaugural events at the old elitist university in Boston and the humble new upstart in Greenville was brought home by news coverage of the two events throughout the state in the fall of 1909.
Although a North Carolina native, Wright was a newcomer to the state’s educational scene: most recently, he had served as principal of Eastern High School in Baltimore, a sizable school with 859 pupils and 23 teachers. After being named president of ECTTS in June 1909, Wright resigned his position in Baltimore and relocated to North Carolina. On campus and in the community, he quickly earned the respect and admiration of all. By the time of his installation the eruditely charismatic Wright had gained solid standing as the campus leader who would wisely shepherd the school’s progress.
Greenville enthusiastically supported the inauguration: welcoming banners adorned the town’s streets and every building along the way from the train depot to the campus, a half-mile stretch, was decked with purple and gold pennants and streamers. Cars, carriages, and bicycles were also decorated, adding to the gala occasion. A local hospitality committee organized a corps of greeters to welcome every train at the depot, and then transport guests to the campus in automobiles and buggies. Approximately a thousand people arrived for the occasion, with proud locals — realizing that public facilities were lacking — welcomed them into their homes for dinner.
Press coverage made much of the ceremonies. The Wilmington Morning Star declared the new school “the pride of the whole of Eastern Carolina” and its opening, “the beginning of a greater epoch in the educational progress of North Carolina.” The same paper suggested that Wright’s installation marked “the real beginning of an institution of learning … destined to revolutionize Eastern Carolina.”
The News and Observer gave Wright’s inauguration front-page, top headline coverage, declaring “The East Crowned with an Educational Diadem.” The same paper called November 12 “the greatest day in the annals of Pitt County and one of the most important … in the history of Eastern North Carolina.”
Wright’s inaugural address also won high praise as “epoch-making.” The Raleigh paper added that new school brought “the awakening of the East to a brighter era with new opportunities and a new vision to inspire it,” adding, with hyperbole, that the inauguration amounted to “the coronation of Greenville as the educational center of the state,” and “was an event that … [would] adorn the educational history of the state.”
Dignitaries in attendance included members of the State Board of Education, the ECTTS Board of Trustees, county superintendents, high school principals, and college presidents. Hundreds of others including the entire student body filled to overflowing the auditorium which, like the town, was decorated in purple and gold.
The inaugural opening of ECTTS was another advance in North Carolina’s early-twentieth-century leap into public education. Pitt County Superintendent of Schools and charter ECTTS faculty, William Henry Ragsdale (1855–1914), noted as much in commenting that just “six years ago there were no two-room public schoolhouses in Pitt County” and that “the public-school property of the county was valued at less than $1,500,” but by the time of Wright’s inauguration “the valuation, including the [ECTTS] training property, … was more than $300,000.” The campus’ six buildings and their furnishings had cost $150,000.
Sickness and death sadly prevented some from participating. Nevertheless, the inaugural event went exceptionally well. The absence of former Governor Thomas J. Jarvis (1836–1915) who oversaw the campus’ construction in 1908–1909, brought repeated tributes noting how “the grand old man” “knew every brick in the buildings” and that “there was nothing connected to the institution with which he was not intimate.” When in good health, Jarvis had reportedly “visited the school every day” during its construction. Gov. William W. Kitchin was also unable to attend due to illness. Tragically, State Senator James L. Fleming (1867–1909) who introduced the legislation for the establishment of ECTTS was also absent, the victim of a horrible automobile accident the week before.
Following the procession into the campus auditorium, Rev. John Henry Shore (1865–1948), senior clergy at Jarvis Memorial Methodist Church, offered an invocation thanking the Lord “for this institution, praying Him to speed the day when it would develop the possibilities of every child.” The News and Observer further noted that, “… in conclusion, the preacher prayed for a revolution in the educational interests of the state,” after which “the audience repeated the Lord’s prayer.”
Greenville Mayor H. W. Whedbee (1873–1926) could not participate due to “a bereavement in his family” and so former state senator and respected local attorney Fordyce Cunningham Harding (1869–1956) delivered the welcoming remarks from the town and provided the new president with “the keys to the city of Greenville,” adding that “Her gates have been swung open and we bid you welcome to our city, to our hearts, and to our homes.”
On behalf of Pitt County, Col. Fernando Godfrey James (1857–1932), a former state senator, offered welcoming remarks. After acknowledging that everyone in the county had done their fair share in securing the new school, James praised the crucial role played by “our foremost citizen, most eminent leader, and the state’s first oracle” Gov. Jarvis, to whom was “due most of the glory and honor for planting this institution upon this hill.” James added that when the young men and women went forth to teach, he would have them teach their pupils to “love, honor, and revere the name of Thomas Jordan Jarvis.” That said, James pledged “the hearty support of Pitt County to the school.”
County Superintendent and ECTTS Professor William Henry Ragsdale (1855–1914) delivered the faculty’s welcome, remarking, “this is certainly a day of infinite gladness to this county and this town.” Ragsdale offered support for the assembled study body and especially the student body, promising the guidance of the faculty as they embarked on their professional training at the school. He also thanked members of the State Board of Education for having selected Greenville and building “so magnificently this institution, which is to be the idol of this section of the state.” Remembering former-Gov. Jarvis, Ragsdale thanked him for “this last crowning act of service to your state and your people,” declaring that it was Jarvis’ “best,” and that the school was but his “lengthened shadow blessing boys and girls yet unborn.” Finally, Ragsdale welcomed, “in love, affection, and appreciation,” the new president, adding that “safe in your hands is the destiny of this institution,” and pledged to him the “loyal and faithful support … honest and earnest endeavor … [and the] best efforts both of head and heart” of the faculty in the task ahead.
Ex officio chairman of the Board of Trustees, James Yadkin Joyner (1862–1954) delivered welcoming remarks from the trustees, praising Jarvis for his extraordinary contributions to securing the new school for Greenville and seeing the legislation behind it converted into reality. Joyner also praised the late-Sen. Fleming for his legislative work in establishing the school, and the educational leader, Superintendent Ragsdale, for having spent years advocating the establishment of such a school.
Joyner’s remarks were followed by the state song, “The Old North State,” as an introduction for Secretary of State, Col. J. Bryan Grimes (1868–1923), standing in for Gov. Kitchin. Prior to introducing the new president, Grimes took the opportunity to offer more praise for the late-Sen. Fleming, suggesting a memorial for him on campus.
In his inaugural remarks, Wright spoke practically and philosophically, emphasizing that the American ideal of political freedom could only be preserved by citizens trained in citizenship by professionally trained teachers. Therefore, in his view, the new school needed to serve as the center of the community and should remain close to its people. In that light, Wright declared, paraphrasing Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, that “this school [East Carolina Teachers Training School] was built by the people, for the people, and may it ever remain with the people as a servant of the people.” Wright’s talk was followed by singing of “America.”
The inaugural events concluded with brief words of greeting from sister institutions including those of the following:
· Professor of education, Marcus Cicero Stephens Noble (1855–1942), the University of North Carolina
· President Daniel Harvey Hill (1859–1924), North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now N. C. State University)
· President Julius I. Foust (1865–1946), State Normal College (now UNC-Greensboro)
· Professor John Bethune Carlyle (1859–1911), Wake Forest College
· Superintendent Edward McKee Goodwin (1859–1937), State School for the Deaf and Dumb
· President Franklin P. Hobgood (1847–1924), Oxford Female Seminary
Letters and telegrams of congratulations arrived from, among others, Harvard University, the University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins University, the U. S. Commissioner of Education, Asheville Normal College, the University of Tennessee, Salem College, Elizabeth College, Oak Ridge Institute, Meredith College, St. Mary’s Presbyterian College for Women, and the trustees of the Peabody Fund. A benediction brought the ceremony to a close.
Apart from having been East Carolina’s first, Wright’s inauguration was historic because it ushered in a tenure in office, 25 years, that remains unmatched in ECU history. By the time of its centennial celebration, East Carolina had had ten chief executive officers (not including interims), with nine serving in the 75-year period following Wright’s passing in 1934. Wright’s longevity in service provided for the school a degree of stability and integrity unmatched, and sometimes woefully absent in later years. His dedication to East Carolina also meant that the school would not have another inaugural ceremony for just over a quarter of a century when Dr. Leon R. Meadows (1884–1953), the second president, was installed in 1935.
Sources
Conn, Edward L. “The East Crowned with an Educational Diadem.” News and Observer. November 13, 1909. Pp. 1, 2.
“Drawing of ECTTS campus.” University Archives # 80.01.0001. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N. C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/10247
“Exercises November 12th: Formal Inauguration of President Wright of East Carolina Training School.” News and Observer. October 6, 1909. P. 5.
“Portrait of Robert H. Wright, 1909.” University Archives # UA55.01.2080. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N. C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/6371
“Pres. R. H. Wright’s Address: Upon His Official Installation at E.C.T.T.S.” Eastern Reflector. November 19, 1909. Pp. 1,6. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/18070
“President of School Installed: Robert H. Wright Inaugurated as President of East Carolina Training School.” Evening Times (Raleigh). November 12, 1909. P. 1.
“President Wright Inaugurated at State’s Youngest Institution.” Charlotte Observer. November 13, 1909. P. 7.
Ranson, Robert E. “Robert H. Wright Is Inaugurated: Officially Becomes President of East Carolina Teachers Training School.” Wilmington Morning Star. November 13, 1909. P. 1.
Records of the Chancellor: Records of Robert Herring Wright, 1907-1938. University Archives # UA02-01. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N. C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/special/ead/findingaids/UA02-01/
“Robert Herring Wright, educator, executive, and leader in teacher training, president of East Carolina Teachers College (1909-1934).” East Carolina Teachers College Bulletin. Vol. 29, no.4. December 1938. Joyner NC Rare LB875.W8 E3. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/16841
“The Inaugural Ceremonies: Celebration of East Carolina Teachers’ Training School.” Eastern Reflector. November 19, 1909. Pp. 1, 4. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/18070
“The Inauguration of President Robert H. Wright of the East Carolina Teachers’ Training School.” News Dispatch (Clinton, N.C.). November 25, 1909. P. 1.
“To Open October Five: Eastern Carolina Teachers Training School.” News and Observer. June 20, 1909. P. 2.
“Trustees Inauguration Invitation and Envelope.” University Archives # UA45.03.46.01. J. Y. Joyner Library. East Carolina University. Greenville, N. C. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/6035
Citation Information
Title: Robert H. Wright’s Inaugural Ceremonies
Author: John A. Tucker, PhD
Date of Publication: 2/9/2024