This Thanksgiving marks 85 years since the Students League of Many Nations was started

The picture above is from the 1934 Theologue

On Thanksgiving Day 1922 the Freshman class at Practical Bible Training School put on a presentation of all the different ethnic groups represented in the class.

With improvised costumes they presented an unusual, international flavored program to the school body on Thanksgiving Day. Rev. Davis seized upon this as a unique means of sowing the gospel and of advertising the school. (Dr. Barackman's History of PBTS)

On the afternoon of December 10, 1922 another program was created from the 17 nationalities took part and this program was repeat on January 21, 1923 in the Goodwill theater in Johnson City. A new organization at PBTS was born.

The Senior class of PBTS that same year created the name “The Theologue” for the school yearbook following in the footsteps of the previous class who started the yearbook in the first place. The class of 1923 also gave the school, the School Bell.

In May of 1923, Dr. H. H. Wagner gave them the name, “Students League of Many Nations.” On their first southern trip they were received by President Calvin Coolidge at the White House on February 2, 1925.[1] By 1927 the League had held their services in 28 states to almost a million people

In 1927 the League became two Leagues: The Junior League and the Senior League. The Senior League traveled around the country during the school year and they had their own teachers on the bus. The Junior League only ministered during the summer and weekends and still attended classes on the campus.

All 48 states (since Alaska and Hawaii were not states yet) and Mexico and Canada were reached with the League. PBTS was known far and wide because of the influence of the League.

Dr. and Mrs. M. C. Patterson were the League's dedicated directors from 1927 until 1958, when the organization was terminated.

Today though the League does not exist in person the influence still exists. Under the current administration of Dr. George Miller III the school has returned to what the League was all about: sharing Christ to our multi-ethnic world, by using multi-ethnic students.

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[1] 1926 Theologue, p. 66.

One of the Aerial views from the mid-1920s

Here is a picture of the Main Building from the air. It was taken after 1923 if you note the bell on the roof. This image is also from a Theologue since I have not been able to locate the original photos and I have no idea who might have been taking aerial photos in the 1920s. From talking to a local photographer, as well as the Broome County Historian, photographers in planes would travel around the area and sell photos taken from planes since it was such a new field. The person that took the photo might have been from New York City or Philadelphia. This is one of the shots from the group of aerial views that was in many Theologues. Maybe in the future the photos or their negatives will turn up.

Another photo of the Main Building in the early 1920s

Here is a new picture I found here on the campus of Davis College. It is of the Main Building and the driveway showing the cross above. This photo was also taken in the early 1920s after the Crowell Memorial wing was built (1919-1920) and before the School Bell was added to the building (1923).

School Bell...Ringing in a new phase of Davis History

The School Bell, given to the school by the class of 1923, has been moved from the roof of Chatlos over the summer. The bell that was given by the Senior Class of 1923 and was rung over the years has been taken down to be restored and placed in the center of the campus for all to see and enjoy. It will be placed where the old fountain once sprayed water. It will be the Alumni project for this year's Homecoming. A planned gazebo is also going to be adorned in the center next to the bell. It is great be able to see this wonderful piece of Davis College History up close and personal as it sits next to the entrance of the cafe. Can you hear it ringing as it wakes you up for class?