55 The Presidency 2: Jordan 2. Chavis. Dr. Jordan D. Chavis served

48

as president of the college for thirteen years, l892 through l905o He

was an l885 alumnus of Bennett.L+9 His wife,formerly Cornelia E. Dorsett,

50 A eulogy delivered September 20, l896,

was also a Bennett graduate. in memory of Mrs. Chavis, spoke of the l892 change of presidency: "Un— der very unfavorable circumstances did she and her husband take hold of

”5‘

the work at Bennett College. Whether these circumstances were persou nal or related with the college was not made clear, but the latter is a good possibility, supported by the known conflict with Kent Home and the increasing gulf between income and expenses.

The physical facilities of the college at this time consisted of the one building completed in l878,52 1% few small dilapidated cotn tages,“ and the uncompleted foundation of a new dormitory.53 The teach=

ers and girls boarded in the main building, and the boys for four years

Hcrowded and packed themselves” into the small cottages.”54

48See footnote 5, above, and Woman's Home Missionary Society, Twenty—Fourth Annual Report, l904~l905, p. 97.

A9

Bennett College, Annual Catalogue, 1900, p. ll.

5ON. C. Conference, Minutes, I896, p. 57.

Sllbid.’ pp. 60=6l.

SZBennett College, Annual Catalogue, I900, p. 5.

53See footnotes 12, l3, above. 54

Bennett College, Annual Catalogue, l900, p. 5.