Albion College - Albionian Yearbook (Albion, MI)

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During this year Samuel Dickie, who now holds the Chairmanship of the Na- tional Prohibition Committee, was appointed Professor of Mathematics. From this time frequent additions to our teaching force rapidly formed our pres- ent Faculty, In 1878, Delos Fall, M. S., was appointed Professor of Natural Science and in 1879, F. M. Taylor, A. M., Ph. D., accepted the Chair of History. Q Improvement in the various departments was very marked. The Art Depart ment was brought to higher excellenceg the Museum found a permanent location and many additions were made to itg the Laboratory was better equipped and the Library enlarged. In 1882, D. Barr, A. M., was called to the Chair ofMathematicsg Rena Michxls, now Dean of WOmH1I7S College, Northwestern University, was made Preceptress-a position now held by Mrs. Ella Hoag Brockwayg E. Josephine Clark accepted the po- sition which she now holds, and Professor Carl B. Scheffler became Director of the Conservatory. In the following year the Professorship of Latin Language and Literature was filled by R. S. Avann, A. M., Ph. D. In 1885, the efficiency of the Science Department was greatly increased by the erection of the Observatory, the Chair of Astronomy at this time being held by Pro- fessor Dickie. ' In 1885, Frederick Lutz, A. M., was called to the Professorship of Modern Languages. The Commercial Department was added in 1886 and has proven most successful. In 1888, C. E. Barr, A, M., accepted the Chair ofAstronomy, made vacant by the resignation of Professor Dickie. At this time the School of Painting was placed under the direction of Professor F. C. Courter. Among the very recent improvements is the addition of the Department of Oratory with Professor Mark S. Beal at its head. Since the laying of the corner-stone of the iirstbuilding until the present there has been no halt in the onward movement. From all the changes of the past and the ef- forts of those to whom the students of Albion College must ever be grateful, there has arisen an institution, controlled by able advisers, furnished with a competent teaching fOI'QC,'Qql1lP1JCd with necessary apparatus, and provided with funds which place it on a firm financial basis. So far we have dugelt only upon the details of history, much more important is the history of the College idea. It never has been and is not now designed to assume the duties of a University or Professional school and prepare for any specific calling in life. It is designed, by requirr ing students to prosecute a thorough and systematic course of study, to secure that men- tal discipline and development which alone are worthy the name ofacollegiate institution. - For all, our Alma Mater desires, that they may cease to look upon study as an ob- ligation and begin to look upon it as an opportunity. I4 ii

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Gollege .r-lsst'orr41.. LBION COLLEGE has already passed a few mile-stones in its progress toward . Lf the completion ofthe second quarter-century of its existence. We trust that the Annalist ofthe future mayihave many years of prosperous history to record and, counted in the hope of this possibility, the years that are past seein few, but, in view of the activity and honorable achievement which has marked them, they are many. Albion College has numbered but thirty 'years, but we must look farther in the past for the origin of the institution which now bears this name. In IS43, under a charter from the State Legislature, the Wesleyan Seminary was opened under the direction of Rev. Charles F. Stockwell. Surely in this, the very beginning, there was manifest the spirit which seeks adaptation to present needs, for we Find among the' list of teachers at this period- Joseph S. Sutton, Tutor of Indians. One of the Catalogues of these years is-of special interest to the student of the present for in it is found the name of him who is now our honored President. In I85O, by an amendment to the original charter, The Female Collegiate Insti- tute was organized and, until 1861, the institution was known as the Albion Female College and NVesleyan Seminary. Feb. 15, 1861, the charter was again amended and Albion College was founded with full collegiate powers. Since that time men and women have been admitted to all its privileges and hon- ors, for its founders believed that there is no sex in science. The College was then .under the Presidency of Rev. Thomas H. Sinex, A. M. In 1864, by another amendment of the charter, an Endowment Fund Committee was created. Soon after this, Rev. George B. Jocelyn, D. D., was called to the President's chair and his efficient control ensured prosperous days. The courses of study were increased to four and, while instruction had always been given in the Fine Arts, the work in this department was much enlarged. In 1874, Rev. Rollin C. Welch, A. M., D. D'.,,.,was called to the chair which he now holds, he being the Hrst of our present board of instruction. In the same year the Conservatory of Music was established. With 1377, there dawned a new era of prosperity for the college. Rev. L. R. Fiske, D. D., LL. D., was called to assume the duties of President and the present standing of the college shows how well they have been performed. I3 i

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' nePARz:mem Qiteraturef Science, lifts. X ,X 336