The Great Consolidator
Burritt was a top graduate from the University of Rochester in 1891 and he and his best friend, Howard Bradstreet, son of the mayor of Rochester, had opened a most successful preparatory school. At Greenville Burritt had taught Green and mathematics, and served as librarian and dean of men; in 1897 he was made vice-president. Burritt was Whitcomb’s choice for his replacement, and upon Burritt’s appointment, Whitcomb left town for a pastorate in Los Angeles.

Eldon G. Burritt became the third president of Greenville College in 1908. He was to die in office in 1927. Burritt served as the great consolidator in the institution’s development.

During his years he became a much beloved president by the students, but not without struggle. Early in his tenure a group of men students tried unsuccessfully to unseat him, and a few years later, as Tenney notes, the student body and the administration had become so embittered that enrollment dropped to almost zero. As an example of student protest, the entire senior class of 1922 objected in writing to the faculty and President Burritt for the punishment they received upon returning late from their senior hike. They wrote.

"We the members of the senior class with to protest against the action of the faculty, feeling that their decision has been unjust. If it is necessary, we will take our finally examinations, in recognition of higher authority. Consenting to take these examination, there is instilled in us an antagonistic spirit toward the administration of Greenville College."

"Having lost interest in Greenville College, we will not be able to give our class night program, or be able to give our senior gift. And in conclusion, we will not give one cent to Greenville College as long as it is under the present administration. And finally, we will not give our moral support to the college."

The faculty in plenary session charged the class with insubordination and ordered the seniors to retract their threat. They did so after Professor Marston apologized for his attitude.

Burritt and the college weathered these storms, and in five years enrollment had climbed back to the norm. Under Burritt enrollment in all schools reached five hundred in the mid 1920s.

More Students, New Buildings
As a residential college this enrollment growth resulted in the need for another new gymnasium and a new dormitory. Also, the long-standing patterns of student managed dormitory living, and student run athletics and clubs, called for a better organized and faculty controlled extra-curricular program, especially focusing on control of literary clubs and athletics.

Burritt, as early as 1910, had pointed out the need for a new gym and a women’s hall. But it was under student leadership that $2,000 was raised toward the $6,000 thought needed to raise the balance of $4,000, and on April 9, 1914, ground was broken.

During 1914-15 the gym was constructed, with many students giving hours of time, including their vacations. The building upon completion actually cost $10,000. During the dedication ceremony Burritt told the crowd of college and community people that they new gym was to serve both the college and "the whole city of Greenville."

It was not until 1920 that the women’s hall was built. Here is Burritt’s own description of the erection of the building:

"In 1920 a building was needed for the girls. Money was not at hand, but faith was abundant, and in faith contracts were let and everybody prayed and got busy. . . A $100,000 building sprang up costing somewhat less money, and everybody who believed and prayed was happy in the new possession and in a new faith and hope. Ninety girls live in comfort in the women’s building."

In 1928 the hall was named Carrie T. Burritt, the wife of President Burritt, in recognition of her many contributions.

Intramurals Flourish
Both the new gym and the women’s dorm changed the social interaction patterns on campus. A women’s association was organized, and the men began to form athletic teams to play nearby towns and other colleges. Students were frequently disciplined for playing on town teams, because this was against the college rules. Finally, in 1921, upon Burritt’s recommendation the board approved an intercollegiate athletic program.

A basketball team was selected, which went 8 – 3 in its first and only season. Because several of the players engaged in objectionable practices, criticism flowed, and the program was cancelled in favor of a totally intramural approach to athletics. This program grew and flourished. Intercollegiate sports were not reinstituted until President H. J. Long led the way for them in the 1940s.

Burritt’s emphasis also had been on debating clubs and literary societies. At one time nearly the entire student body was required to be in one such club. During commencement Burritt would have as many as five student orators speak rather than a single outside speaker. The competition among these clubs often became intense.

During one year (1923 – 24) these clubs so divided the student body that they were all disbanded, and two new clubs were organized the next year – Agora for men and Elpinice for women. Thus it became clear that a totally intramural program in clubs and sports could contribute to campus factions and disunity.

Finances continued to plague the college throughout Burritt’s long tenure, resulting in heavy reliance upon student workers and low salaries for faculty. Burritt believed that an endowment was necessary, so in 1925 he began the college’s first endowment program. At least $400,000 was needed for the college to apply to become accredited, but the campaign feel short of the goal. (In fact, the $400,000 figure would not be reached until the late 1970s when the present endowment campaign was initiated.)

During the summer of 1927, President Burritt died. Former faculty member and dean, Leslie Ray Marston , was called back from Washington, D.C., to assume the presidency. Marston had been working in Washington heading the Office of Child Development which directed the nation’s research on children.