Livingston C. Lord: Lord of the Manner
Lord Home The Teacher The Administrator
The Builder The Man
He cared most to convince his hearers that people matter more than things, that straight thinking is requisite to good citizenship, that there is no quarrel between intelligence and goodness, knowledge and righteousness, science and religion. For these truths as he saw them he would have stood alone against the world.
Isabel McKinney,
The Life and Words of Livingston C. Lord, 1937
Lord went above and beyond his duties as president. He was the face and voice of the school, recognized both in Charleston as well as throughout the country. Within nine years of Eastern’s establishment, he built a solid and talented faculty which made the institution one of the leading Normal schools in the nation. This led to its selection into the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Some aspects of his leadership style seemed unconventional to the conservative Charleston community. However, those that opposed his methods still held him in the highest regard, particularly in his enforcement of high ethical standards. Every morning at 9:00, Lord conducted chapel at Eastern. During the half hour exercise, he would recite scripture, lead the audience in song, and read great works of literature. The entire school was required to attend, but it was common to find local community members in attendance as well.
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A Teacher's Request |
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A Student's Apology |
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Enforcing Values
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Request for Publication of Chapel Talks |
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Letter to Alumnus, Draft |
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Letter to Alumnus |
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The Future of Normal Schools
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Attraction to Eastern |
The Dancing Controversy of 1909
In 1909, students began finding entertainment in the form of dances within the Charleston community. At the opening of the women’s dorm, Pemberton Hall, Lord permitted supervised student dances on campus. Although, personally opposed to dancing, he recognized it as a valuable social skill. Sponsoring more progressive social events met students’ recreational desires, while ensuring that they remained in a safe environment.
The controversy received a lot of media attention across the Midwest, generating concern from community members and parents. Throughout the ordeal, Lord remained composed and received support from former students and fellow educators.
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Letter to Lord03/03/1909 |
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Lord's Response to March 3rd Letter03/05/1909 |
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Lord Writing to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat
03/08/1909 |
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Letter From Superintendent of Schools03/08/1909 |
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Letter of Support From
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Letter From a Concerned Citizen03/22/1909 |
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Lord's Response to Letter from Concerned Citizen
03/26/1909 |
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Lord Writing to Senator Pemberton, Addressing Concerns
03/23/1909 |
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Senator Pemberton's
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Lord's Second Response to Senator Pemberton03/26/1909 |
