Graceland's 50th Anniversary
Graceland's 50th anniversary program was held on September 17, 1945 at the Coliseum Theatre uptown Lamoni. Guests included:

Frederick M. Smith, charter student, first graduate, President of the RLDS Church;
A. Neal Deaver, Graceland's Business Manager;
F. Henry Edwards, Board of Trustee member;
Edmund J. Gleazer Jr., faculty member [and future Graceland president 1946-1957];
Floyd M. McDowell, Board of Trustee member;
Jeremiah A. Gunsolley, former Graceland president and Board of Trustee member;
John F. Garver, Board of Trustee member;
Professor Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, original faculty member, professor of botany at University of Nebraska in 1945;
Nellie Anderson, charter student, first freshman to enroll on opening day;
Daniel B. Anderson, last surviving member of Graceland's first Board of Trustees;
Roy Cheville, executive chairman of 50th anniversary activities;
George N. Briggs, chairman of 50th anniversary activities.;
 Alva R. "Willie" Gilbert was acting president of the college during this time.

F.M. Smith, when delivering his speech, expressed his hope that Graceland would have an entire building as a library, a building dedicated to science, two additional dormitories, and a memorial building for those who had fought and died in war. Mr. Smith also envisioned some day Graceland would become a university. Throughout Graceland's next 50 years, all of F.M. Smith's hopes and visions were realized.

SOURCE: Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” p. 97. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January 2016
 
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