Lucy Kilpatrick Byrkit February 6, 1839 - 1922
IWC Newsome Archives Raymond J. Chadwick Library Iowa Wesleyan College Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Facts •
Entered Iowa Wesleyan University in 1855.
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Graduated in 1859 with a Bachelor of Arts and in 1862 received her Master of Arts.
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First woman to graduate from the university.
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President Elliott gave her a special diploma that was written in Latin and that made special note of her being the first woman to graduate.
Facts •
Married Reverend George W. Byrkit, a I.W.U. graduate in 1857.
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Had seven children – Pearl Angelo – Charles E. – I.W.U. graduate in 1885 – Mary L. (Crouch) – Francis K. – Clara (Hieke) – I.W.U. graduate in 1895 – Arthur Henry – I.W.U. graduate in 1898 – Grace
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Died in Los Angeles, California in 1922.
Translation of Diploma Gradationis et Coronationis Ceremoniale. Filia dilecta, mihi et professoribus carissima. “In nomine et auctoritate professorum et curatorum Wesleyanae universitatis Iowae, Gradum Baccalaureatûs per has literas tibi confero”. Domina Lucia W. Kilpatrick Prima Alumna hujus universitatis, in perpetuam rei memoriam, hanc lauream viridem et hanc roasm candidam, super caput tuum impono. Die vigessimo secundo Junii A.D. 1859. Vale. Cum Beneplenitis et precibus. Carlous Elliott. D.D. L.L.D Praeses.
Ceremony of Graduation and Coronation. Chosen daughter, to me and to the professors most dear, ‘”In the name and by the authority of the professors and curators of Iowa Wesleyan University, I confer on you through these letters, the Baccalaureate degree”. Miss Lucy Kilpatrick, first Alumna of this University, I place upon your head, this green laurel wreath and this white rose in perpetual memory of the affair. On the 22nd day of June A.D. 1859. Farewell. With blessings and prayers. Charles Elliott, D.D. L.L.D President.
*According to our records this was translated by Mary L. Byrkit Crouch and Clara Byrkit Hieke, daughters of Lucy W. Kilpatrick Byrkit.
Byrkit Desk •
On April 22, 1968, Carol Nemitz received a letter from Elizabeth Byrkit, a granddaughter of Lucy’s, in reference to a desk that Lucy had used when she was the secretary for the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society for the Iowa Conference. The wished that be placed in the Byrkit House.
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The Byrkit House was originally located on Pearl Street but was relocated to 507 W. Broadstreet for the Student Union Building.
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Carol, then the Dean of Women, accepted the families generous offer. Within it they included some mementoes (Women’s Foreign Missionary Society ribbons, Bible passage notes, and other keepsakes) which where in her Bible.
Byrkit Desk •
On May 31, 1968, there is a note to Dr. Haselmayer from Carol stating that the desk had arrived and was placed in the Byrkit House. At the time, Carol proceeded to set up a news release.
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Dr. Haselmayer noted in the Lucy Kilpatrick Byrkit archives folder that as of June 11, 1993, the desk was located in the office of the President. As of November 5, 2014, it is located outside the Presidents office on the third floor of the P.E.O. Building.
Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society
Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society
Conference Secretary for the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society
Iowa Conference 1891-1900.
Sent into the world John – 20 –21 “
17 – 18 – 20 # (6 – 38)
“
15 – 16 Why???
Mark – 5 -- 13 – 14 – 15 – 16. John -- 15 - 8 – 5. Galatians -- 5 – 22 – 23 Romans – 6 – 22 Reward John 15 --- 11. ??? -- 11 -- 3 1st Peter – 5 – 4. H , - 18 – 20
me things we forget Modern Missions are no longer an experiment
“The life is more than meat.”
“The kingdom of heaven is not meat or drink & e”
“The kingdom of heaven is life unto leaven”. not – dynamite.
The suecess[sic} of mipions[sic]. What will you do with & e , What will you do with your lives
“Hid With Christ in God” by J. H. Knowles, leaflet was printed in 1893. J. H. Knowles was a secretary of the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society.
Sources: Heathen Woman’s Friend Volume 42, Google Books and Annual Report of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, Issues 21-24, Google Books.
Wesleyan Honors Women •
In 1959, Iowa Wesleyan celebrated the Centennial of Lucy Kilpatrick Byrkit graduating by hosting a weekend of events that also honored other women.
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The granddaughters of Mrs. Byrkit, Elizabeth and Margaret, visited the college for that weekend.
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IWC Newsom Archives also has numerous correspondences from other descendants of Mrs. Byrkit who have had contact with the college.
Wesleyan Honors Women
Wesleyan Honors Women
Wesleyan Honors Women