|
|
|
|
About Dr. Orval J. Nease |
|
(1891 - 1950)
 Nease Hall is named after Dr. Orval J. Nease. Dr. Nease was a second generation Nazarene who began to preach in 1912, graduated from Nazarene University in 1916 with a Bachelor of Arts, and graduated from Boston University in 1927 with a Master of Arts. During this time, he was pastor at a number of churches in Phoenix, Arizona; Meridian, Texas; Malden, Massachusetts and Columbus, Ohio. Later, he would pastor in Detroit, Michigan.
In 1928, he took over the Presidency of Pasadena College. When Dr. Nease took over the presidency, the institution was reeling from financial crises. In addition, since no new buildings had been constructed since 1912, the older buildings were beginning to show their age. The city was threatening condemnation of these buildings unless they were brought up to code. The college had no money for either renovations or new buildings. "I have only one desire, and that is to spend all I have in the service of God and the church." -- Dr. Nease, while approaching his death and being urged to not exert himself. (Remark attributed by Hardy C. Powers) Dr. Nease did his best to stabilize the institution financially, calling for a permanent $250,000 endowment for emergency purposes.
During his time in office, a movement arose to relocate the college to Santa Ana. Through the efforts of Dr. Nease and local pastors, as well as the effects of the "Black Tuesday" stock market crash, the relocation effort was defeated. To restore confidence in the school, Dr. Nease decided to erect a new building. The Bresee Memorial Administration Building was the first permanent building on campus. Spanning fifty by one hundred feet, standing three stories tall and erected out of reinforced concrete, the new building dominated the Pasadena campus.
After the construction, morale and hope were high on campus. Dr. Nease then proposed a one million-dollar endowment fund to construct more buildings. However, between the unexpected costs of the building, and other debts, the College was again deeply indebted. The bank agreed not to foreclose on the campus, if the entirety of the Board of Trustees and Dr. Nease resigned to show the College's commitment to financial reform. They did so in 1933. However, Dr. Nease's service to the college was not yet finished.
In 1938, Dr. Nease was appointed as the General Secretary of the Department of Church Schools for the general church and editor in chief of church school periodicals. In 1940, he was elected as a general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, the first second-generation Nazarene to be so honored. During this time, he was called back by the college, to tour and assist in fund-raising to pay off remaining debt, and his touring helped the district to raise 250% of its goal. In 1944, he left the general superintendency and returned to Pasadena to teach practics for four years. Finally, in 1948, he returned to the general superintendency, where he served for two years until his death in 1950.
 In 1961, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to rename the Administration Building, built during Dr. Nease's term as President, "Nease Hall". Nease died while performing his duties as general superintendent. Another of the general superintendents, Hardy C. Powers, recalls a remark by Dr. Nease. When it was clear that Dr. Nease was dying, friends attempted to stop him from exerting himself through his duties and he responded, "I have only one desire, and that is to spend all I have in the service of God and the church." | |
|
|
|
|