 The college grew slowly but steadily during the 1890s, reaching 132 students in 1896 and 212 in 1897, all the while bolstering its faculty as funds permitted.Although its tradition of "summer normals", shorter courses for active teachers seeking state certification or recertification, dated back to 1891, they grew rapidly through the 1890s; by 1907, ETNC had established a reputation as "the best attended summer institute for teachers in the state".The general success of William L. Mayo and his college even inflamed the passions of their competitors, most especially T. Henry Bridges, the head of Henry College in nearby Campbell.