When it opened in 1899, the founders, trustees, instructors and supporters of the fledgling Baptist Female University were optimistic and ambitious: they wanted to provide women with the best educational opportunities the N.C. Baptist convention could provide. After all, the Convention’s stated goal was to establish a “a female seminary of high order” comparable to Wake Forest College.
But matriculating students, and it must be said, their parents, were also interested in defining their own educational path. While many wished to complete a four-year degree, others were attracted to pursuing a certificate in music or art exclusively, or in obtaining practical business skills. Others simply wished to study “porcelain decoration” or elocution. For many years, the students pursuing these various educational goals were listed in separate categories in the annual bulletins.
In addition, numerous younger local girls were educated in “the Academy,” completing elementary and high school level work. Young women who wanted to enter the college, but were unprepared to do college-level studies were allowed to do remedial work.
In the short term, to maintain the school economically and to satisfy local demand, the trustees accommodated all these students and their goals and awarded certificates and diplomas in the various programs.
But to ensure the college's future academic reputation, accreditation was the long-term goal. To reach the higher educational standard required, changes were needed. The one-year business course certificate ended in 1909; certificates in art or music were eliminated by 1911. Despite the determination and efforts of one instructor to create a Bachelor of Oratory, the elocution department was discontinued in 1913. The Academy was eliminated, first the elementary school in 1912 and then, year by year, the high school until all had graduated in 1917.
Meredith College was admitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1921 and to the Association of American Universities in 1928.
This Business School Certificate issued to Mary Emma Powell, probably in 1903.
Four "Expression Certificate Pupils" in 1905.
Piano Certificate graduates in 1905.
In 1907, Lucile Devereaux Withers, posed for her graduation portrait having earned a Bachelor of Oratory.
Eula Suttle Wright earned a Diploma in Piano in 1907.
Business Class (1908)
As more work opportunities opened to women in the public sphere, many students enrolled in the business program for which they were awarded a certificate after one year of study. "The purpose of this school, "according to the 1902-03 catalog, "is to train young women thoroughly for serious work in the business world. The subjects embraced are Stenography, Typewriting, Bookkeeping, English, Arithmetic, Spelling and Penmanship."
China painting was considered an acceptable artistic outlet for women at the turn of the last century. Classes were initially part of the art department, but were phased out. This hand painted china, now held in the Archives, was done by by Bessie Highsmith (1908.)
Art studio work (1909-1913)
These images, from a student's 1909-1913 photo album, show Ida Poteat's art studio on the 4th floor of the Main Building on the downtown campus. At the right two students practice china painting, which was part of the art curriculum.
This snapshot from a student's scrapbook features three young Academy students and a teacher on the school campus (1909-1913.)
When the college opened, it offered music classes to student of all ages, some of whom only wished to study an instrument and were not interested in the literary subjects required for a bachelor's degree. This violin class, including 4 young members in the Academy, appeared in the 1909 Oak Leaves.
An advertisement for the Academy (1912)
By this time, the Academy for elementary school had been eliminated but was still accepting students to complete high school in anticipation of entering the college.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-760-8532
