Dayton in Rhea County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Bryan College
Southeast Tennessee Religious Heritage Trail
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 21, 2021
1. Bryan College Marker
William Jennings Bryan University admitted its first class in 1930. Now known as Bryan College, Bryan is an accredited, independent institution offering Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
Bryan College is founded upon the belief that God is the author of truth; that He has revealed Himself to mankind; that it is His will for man to come to knowledge of truth; and that an integrated study of the arts, sciences, and the Bible will lead to the balanced development of the whole person.
The mission statement of Bryan College is "Educating students to become servants of Christ to make a difference in today's world."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 35° 29.85′ N, 85° 0.042′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Tennessee, in Rhea County. Marker is on Mercer Drive east of Bryan Drive, on the left when traveling east. Marker is near Rudd Auditorium on the Bryan College campus. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Rhea County High School (approx. half a mile away); W.C. Bailey Boardinghouse (approx. 0.6 miles away); McKenzie Law Office (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cedar Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Scopes Trial (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Bryan College (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rhea County Veteran's Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Rhea County Courthouse (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.
Also see . . .
1. William Jennings Bryan. Article from Public Broadcasting Corp.'s American Experience series on the Scopes Trial. (Submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. About Bryan | College History. From the college's website. (Submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021
2. Bryan College Marker
Photographed By Associated Press / Fair use, July 1925
3. Scopes Trial lawyers
Clarence Darrow (left) and William Jennings Bryan (right) faced off in the 1925 trial of John T. Scopes, a Tennessee high-school teacher charged with violating a state law against the teaching of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Darrow defended Scopes (and by extension, evolution), while Bryan represented the creationist side of the origin-of-man debate. Bryan died five days after the trial, which resulted in Scopes' conviction and sentence of a $100 fine.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2021
4. Bryan College plaque
This plaque, mounted at the entrance to Mercer Hall, lists individuals who were behind Bryan College's creation. Among names of note are John L. Godsey (who was on Scopes' defense team but resigned on the trial's first day); Judge John T. Raulston (who presided over the trial); Frank E. Robinson (chairman of the Rhea County school board); then-Tennessee Attorney General A. Tom Stewart; and prosecution attorneys W.C. Haggard, B.G. McKenzie and J.G. McKenzie.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
