The YMCA is first listed as a student organization in the 1878-1879 catalog. A decade later, a fund-raising campaign was underway to construct a YMCA building and gymnasium. The cornerstone was laid in 1890 and the building completed in 1891. [Original cornerstone is housed in the College Archives.] The YMCA held freshman receptions in the late 1880s and gradually assumed responsibility for orientation activities including the publication of a student handbook in 1896. Regular publication of the Davidson Handbook, renamed the Wildcat Handbook in 1926, began in 1902 and continued until 1961, when the Publications Board assumed responsibility. the major activities of the YMCA included deputations, assisting with Boy Scout Troops, working with local boy's clubs and sports teams, and community work. In addition, to the deputations or teams of students sent out to speak at area churches, the Y provided Sunday School teachers for the Mecklenburg TB Sanatorium. The work with the Boy Scouts, athletic teams, and community projects included sponsoring African-American troops and teams. The Y was active in constructing new housing in Davidson after a fire in 1950. Initially, all students were automatically members of the YMCA, in 1955 membership became voluntary. The office of College Chaplain grew of the the YMCA secretary position. The first Y secretary, George W. Markey was hired in 1917 and his position was jointly funded by the college and students. Y secretaries were frequently alumni and usually held the position for one or two years. In 1951, Alan Gripe became the first Y secretary to hold the title Chaplain. The title reverted back Y secretary after one year and was changed again in 1956 to "Minister of Students." The job was expanded to include conducting chapel and vesper sevices as well as directing Y activities. With the advent of co-education, the YMCA was renamed the YM/YWCA in 1975. It was renamed again in 1980 to become the Y Student Service Corps and in 1993 to become Reach Out. Reach Out helps coordinate student volunteer programs including Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Davidson Day Care, CROP lunch for world hunger relief, Hospital Visitation., Into the streets and Recycling. Into the Streets is a program designed to introduce more students to thoughtful community service and to provide a learning experience that will challenge them to volunteer on a regular basis. The program is national in scope but is implemented locally. The leaders of the Davidson program were Brian Campbell (class of 1999) and Bill Abrams (class of 1997). With the creation of the Service Council in 1998, Reach Out shifted to direct community service and individual programs. Service Council serves as the umbrella organization for community service.