The brand new legacy out-of Chairman Herbert W. Reherd to the Westminster College or university into the Sodium River Area, Utah runs deep on establishment and you can development of the college. Already important on Presbyterian neighborhood, both due to the fact an effective pastor and you will neighborhood chief, Reherd traveled just like the an effective missionary globally in the long run winding up regarding the Mormon nation out-of Salt Lake Town. Reherd embarked into a mission to save the badly financed inheritor of your own Salt River Collegiate Institute, Westminster College, and you may fostered the gains off a great junior university so you can the full four-year business. Reherd’s legacy is particularly built-in in his fundraising having developments around the campus, his web log regarding college and the Presbyterian records in Utah, and you may setting up direction with the continued excellence within the assortment and you can growth out-of Westminster College.

That have considerable achievement since the a residential district also religious commander, Reherd depending a robust connection with churchgoers and you will Presbyterian authorities

Brand new child regarding Jacob K. Reherd and Lucy Louise Ware, Herbert Ware Reherd came into this world into August 23, 1869 for the Genesco, Illinois. Dr. Herbert Reherd began their community to the Presbyterian Church very early after graduating regarding Parsons University and you may McCormick Theological Seminary, which includes work with the brand new Princeton Theological Seminary. Reherd’s very first appointment with the chapel was at Milan, Illinois, (1898-1901), and later at the Bethany Chapel away from Detroit, Michigan, (1901-1906). Reherd preached in the Basic Presbyterian Church when you look at the Waterloo, Iowa, (1906-1913) in advance of he had been selected because Westminster chairman mousemingle prices because of the Charles Elizabeth. Bradt, lengthy buddy and you may peer regarding Presbyterian Chapel. Throughout the their time in Iowa, Reherd together with Bradt embarked towards the a world questionnaire of your informative and you will missionary position of Presbyterian Church of your own You.S.Good. inside 1911-1912. Inside trip, Reherd made of several associations who does later show useful to their various methods having Westminster University. The brand new cosmopolitan look at built-up within the nation additionally the rest of the world have been evident on choices and you will varied appeal represented as Westminster became in the a new college.

Their offer since president consisted of a good $step three,500 annual paycheck, traveling expenses, and you can a five-year deal

Reherd found its way to Sodium Lake Area for the Oct dos, 1913 due to the fact last president regarding Westminster College. However feel an installation of your university for the next 40 years. Toward their arrival, this new campus contained Converse Hall and you will Ferry Hallway in the middle of a dozen miles from alfalfa. Gunton Memorial Chapel, created in 1905, to the place of 1700 South and you may 1100 East was the latest nearest Presbyterian church, in which Reherd carry out preach many times over the second forty years. Shortly after their inauguration just like the chairman with the university with the Oct dos, 1914, Reherd got to works raising the houses to your campus. Converse Hallway is bare for a few decades and you will endured with damaged screen ahead of Reherd attempt towards the improvements. He also mainly based this new President’s House for the 1300 East around the away from Converse Hallway, and you can first started performs yet another men’s dormitory. Brand new dormitory was just a beneficial tar-roofed strengthening nicknamed “the chicken coup” it try the beginning of Foster Hallway.

Reherd’s fundraising left the institution afloat. Their fundraising tips with the Midwest together with Eastern drew support away from loyal Presbyterians eliciting donations for Westminster, a good Presbyterian stronghold in the middle of “Mormondom”. Unfortunately, fortune wasn’t usually quietly of your school. Into day away from March 23, 1926, days before Reherd additionally the University embarked to the another type of fundraising venture from inside the Sodium River, Converse Hallway ran upwards into the flames leaving precisely the bones regarding this building. Fundraising services was basically following aimed toward reconstructing Converse, and that proved effective enough to beginning arrangements having an alternative gymnasium, after intent on Charles Payne during the 1928.