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WCU - Western Carolina University Publications

Western Carolinian Volume 65 (66) Number 10

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Item 1 - Western Carolinian Volume 65 (66) Number 10
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  • November 1, 2000 GET A LIFE WESTERN CAROLINIAN 11 Sacrifice and Dedication: The story of Robert Lee Madison — WCU Founder By Holly Rhodarmer Features Editor In the late 19th century education was in a desperate state in Western North Carolina. Teachers were under qualified, and money to educate them was scarce. Fresh out of college Robert Lee Madison, then only 18 years old, traveled to the mountains for his health. He planned on only having a brief repose before beginning medical school. building in Qualla. Unfortunately it burned and was never completed. He then moved to Sylva and taught at Sylva Academy for 19 years. He began to organize potential teachers, and train them. He realized rural teachers could not afford to travel to far off universities. He attended a teachers institute in Webster, and met the superintendent of Raleigh schools. The man was so impressed he offered Madison a job as a principal in Raleigh. Madison historical marker across from Breese Gym. photo by Holly Rhodarmer Madison came from Lexington, VA. His father had been one of Robert E. Lee's personal staff surgeons at VMI, and Madison was named in his honor. After he graduated with honors, from what is now UT, he was ready for a change. He had know idea the path his life would take. His brother, who lived in Qualla, persuaded him to teach for awhile, since the area schools were struggling. Once Madison met the people of the mountains, and saw their need, he forgot his dream of medical school. He was greatly concerned with the poor quality of teachers, and began to do independent research on education. He persuaded the citizens to build a new school Even though the salary would have been much more than what he could make in the mountains, his heart was with the rural Western North Carolinians. Cullowhee Academy also had an opening, and he decided to accept that position. "At that time most schools were considered semi-private" says Louise Bedford, granddaughter of Madison, "the state gave a small amount of money per pupil, and local citizens had to agree to pay the teachers salary, and provide the building." When he began in Cullowhee in 1889, he included a class entitled "Theory and Practice of Teaching." He realized the best trained teachers were at least high school graduates. In 1891 he led the move to charter Cullowhee High School with the state. By 1893 he decided it was time to seek state funding. He contacted Representative Walter G. Moore and asked him to sponsor a bill that would give one high school in each of the nine congressional districts $3,000 to start a Normal Department (teacher training department). That exact amount did not pass, but a bill for $1,500 did. Madison began working with B.B. Doughtery, who was trying to establish a training center in Boone, in 1899. These training centers would educate elementary teachers. In 1917 a State Educational Commission recommended that both training schools leave the high schools they were apart of, and focus on training teachers. By 1922 the separation was official and a two year college was created to train elementary school teachers. By 1929 this became Western Carolina Teachers' College, and it had the authority to grant four year degrees. Madison had overseen and engineered the entire process. He served as president from 1889-1912, and then again from 1920-23. His eyesight was failing when he retired in 1923, and he felt a younger man could serve the college better. Through the years his family paid the price for his dream. He, his teachers, and supporters did without so the school could survive. History, unfortunately is often left to the mercy of those who survive, those who write it. Though historians living during Madison's lifetime heralded him the sole founder of WCU, time has began to tell a different story. One that ultimately the community, Madison's family and the University have found to be untrue. The first Board of Trustee's of Western were honorable men. They are that also sacrificed and helped Madison in many ways, in fact he called them "the noble nine." This does not make them founders. Certainly they helped Madison, but it was his dream and drive that led to the establishment of a teacher's college. Much confusion has ensued since the trustees have been confused with the original founder. As of March 1, 2000 the current board of trustee's voted unanimously to change the name of Founders Auditorium in the Mountain Heritage Center to simply the Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium. This puts Madison in his rightful place as sole founder. Also slated for change is the highway marker before the main entrance of Western. Instead of insinuating Madison photo courtesy of Louise Bedford Robert Lee Madison was one of many founders, it will reworded to "the founder." These changes are appropriate. Madison gave all of himself to improve local education, and it is important that the true founder be recognized. The people of Western North Carolina have long considered Madison a hero." The family had to sacrifice tremendously," says Bedford, " But grandfather would do anything for the mountain people he loved." The least Western can do is honor his legacy. photo In Holly Rhodei met Madison Residence Hall named after the university's founder.
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Western Carolina University Publications

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University’s student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolin...

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