These are excerpts from the 1902-03 catalog for the Potter College for Young Ladies, a precursor to the modern-day Potter College of Arts & Letters at Western Kentucky University.

A word to the parents

Write regularly and cheerfully to your daughters. Encourage them in their work. Let them feel that you have confidence in their exercising their utmost ability in every department of college work. There are times when the best and strongest of us become discouraged, and it is at such times that we need the tender tone, the confiding look, the sympathetic word. But parents should not, to the injury of their daughter’s education, humor the outbursts of home-sickness that may often arise. Sometimes parents are more inconsiderate than the child. Let boxes of eatables be sparingly indulged in, as they are a prolific source of numberless ailments, and greatly interfere with regularity of recitations and promptness upon other duties. If anything must be sent, let it be fruit.

Healthfulness

The question which, above all others, is most likely to demand the greatest attention from parents is, “Is the location of the College healthful?” The question is not an idle one, as all progress depends upon it. The mind will refuse to perform its task when the body draws upon it for sympathy. A buoyant and invigorating atmosphere is a great accessory in the educational departments of all schools. In locating Potter College respect has been paid to all these ends. It is placed entirely out of the reach of any malaria that may arise in its vicinity. Dr. J.N. McCormack, Secretary of State Board of Health, and ex-President of the United States Board of Health, pronounces the site one of the finest that could have been selected anywhere in the South.

General remarks about location

Historically, it is associated with many of the stirring incidents connected with the late war between the States, and regarded as one of the strongest strategical points south of the Ohio River. It was alternately occupied by the contending forces. Around it the clouds of war often gathered as if they would burst their sulphurous contents upon the defenseless inhabitants, but they passed away to the South to regather over the fields of Shiloh and Chicamauga. The forts on Reservoir and College Hills, respectively, south and west of the city, are almost in as good state of preservation as when last evacuated. The fort on the college grounds, which will be used by the pupils as a park, was commenced by Gen. Beauregard and finished by ex-President Harrison, while stationed here as a colonel of the 75th Indiana infantry. A few of the massive stones from the fortification on College Hill have been used in the foundation of the College, thus planting on the wrecks of war a beautiful temple of learning.

These are indeed historic grounds. They have a lesson to teach the coming generations. Here the daughters of the North and of the South can meet, as they have met, and in wonder look upon the works of their fathers. Here such heroes as Simon Bolivar Buckner, Albert Sydney Johnston, John Cabell Breckinridge, as well as Beauregard and ex-President Harrison, marshaled their forces and led them to the smoke of battle. For a girl to be surrounded with such historical associations is a privilege – one, indeed, to be coveted.

On the dress code

It is the conviction of the management of the College that in order to teach its pupils to avoid extravagance in dress, to prevent an unnecessary waste of time in planning their wardrobes, to rise above the frivolity of rivalry in such matters, and to reduce the living expense to a minimum, boarding students should be required to conform to the uniform dress, consisting of hat, wrap and dress, approved by the school. To insure uniformity, perfect fit and good taste, these suits will be designed in our city by one of the best modistes of the country at the approximate cost of $25.

Each pupil should be provided with a simple white muslin dress for school entertainments. Decollete dresses will not be permitted.

Boarding pupils are required to appear in uniform on the street, at church, and at all public entertainments in the city or in the College Chapel, but no uniform is required for daily wear.

Correct taste demands simplicity in the presentation of a school-girl’s wardrobe; justice demands relief from the care and oversight of an unduly abundant wardrobe while at school.

Drawing and painting

The Art Department will be under the instruction of Lella Grace Woodward, who comes especially recommended by her six years’ course of study in Paris and Rome. While in Paris she was a pupil of Merson and Whistler at the Academie Merson.

Miss Woodward is an exhibitor at the Salon, Paris, and in this country and exhibitor at the Chicago Art Institute and the Society of American Artists. We feel that Miss Woodward offers our arts pupils the best possible instruction.”