Indiana University - Arbutus Yearbook (Bloomington, IN)

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PRESIDENT JOSEPH SWAIN

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INDIANA UNIVERSITY -WHAT IT WAS AND IS. During all these years Indiana University had been in the dawn of prosperity, but the administration of Dr. Nutt saw the dawn break into day and the sun shine in all its radiance for the first time. The atmosphere of the institution became per- meated with the gentle zephyrs of a modest nature-women were admitted to the advantages of the University. The Board of Trustees passed a resolution in 1867, making Indiana Uni- versity a co-educational school. In 1870, the collection of the distinguished geologist, David Dale Owen, was purchased by the University. After this pur- chase a new building was determined upon to contain the Owen collection and the Library, and for the use of the Law School. The corner-stone of this new building was laid July 2,1878 Gov. Thomas A. Hendricks delivered the address of the occasion. Dr. Nutt resigned in 1875. His successor was Dr. Lemuel Moss, ex-President of Chicago University. The year following saw the close of the Law School which had been a part of the institution since 1842. Dr. Moss' administration proved an era of prosperity. But as before, calamity followed hard upon prosperity. The building erected in 1873 was destroyed by ure. It was struck by lightning on the night of July 12, 1883, and by morning was a smouldering mass of ruins. The Library of 13,000 volumes, all the physical and chemical apparatus, the valuable Owen collection, and the private library of Dr. Jordan, then a professor, were all destroyed. NVhen the Board of Trustees met after the fire, it was decided to remove the University to a twenty-acre tract east of and over- looking Bloomington. The Commissioners of Monroe county voted a donation of 850,000 to the University, which, with the insurance collected, afforded a basis for reconstruction. The change of location and the work of reconstruction resulted in the completion of three buildings, Wylie, Owen and Mitchel, fold Maxwellj Halls, all of which stand to-day as monuments of the new era. ' Dr. Moss tendered his resignation as President in November, 188-1. The last year of his direction the graduating class numbered 21 from a student body of 143. Dr. David S. Jordan was elected President, and he assumed the duties of his office in January, 1885. He had been connected with the University as Professor of Biology since 1879, and had the best interests of the institution at heart. Through his influence the Uni- versity began to take the dignity of a great modern institution of learning. To him is due the credit of the plan of speciali- zation and elective courses of study. Out of this plan has grown the liberal opportunity for the development of original work in particular courses, which is the character of our present system of elective study. The Law School was re-established in 1889, with Judge David B. Banta as Dean, and opened its first session with thirty students. The addition of the fine new stone building, Maxwell Hall, was made in 1800, increasing greatly the facilities and conveniences for more satisfactory work. The University was called upon to lose Dr. Jordan in 1890. He was offered the Presidency of Leland Stanford, Jr., Univer- sity, in California, and accepted. It was with much regret that the institution saw Dr. Jordan leave, for to him more than any other is due the credit of transforming the.University in name to a University in fact. Dr. John Merle Coulter was chosen to become the new President. He remained with the University but two years, and then was elected President of Lake Forrest University. In looking about for a new President, the Board of Trustees accepted the recommendation of Dr. Jordan and offered Joseph Swain the ofiice. The growth of the University under Dr. Swain's direction need not be mentioned. The transformation of affairs since he took charge is sufficient evidence in itself, and everything seems to indicate that Indiana University's progress in the future may be even more phenomenal. .. W-. n---M

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INDIANA UNIVERSITY-WHAT IT WAS AND IS. The intensive growth is indicated by the following chronicle: Year. Attendance. Graduates. 1884 - 144 ------ 21 1885 - 156 - - 26 1886 - 202 - - 20 1888 -' 263 - - 22 1888 - 275 - - 89 1889 - 800 - - 41 1890 - 321 - - 17 1891 - 394 - - 75 1892 - 497 - - 70 1893 - - - 68 1894 - 638 - - 76 1895 - 771 - - 85 1896 - 879 - - 96 1897 - 941-1 - - - 112 1898 - 1010 ------ - Kirkwood Hall and the new Gymnasium are indicative of the structural growth produced by Dr. Swain's effbrts, and it may be said in passing that he is not yet through with this kind of improvement. lVe may anticipate in our mind's eye the Auditorium, or Main University .building standing on the eminence south of Maxwell and west of Kirkwood Halls as a monument to the educational system of Indiana. IfVe find Indiana University to-day as it is. It is ours. IVhat it has become is the work of our fathers. Let honor and rever- ence be theirs. What it may become is for us to decide. Then- Let all who love this grand old State Join in this merry gleeg To praise the name we love so well, Our State University. Joseph Swain, President of Indiana University, was born in Pendleton, Indiana, June 16, 1857. He was of New Bedford Quaker parentage which endowed him with a sturdiness and strength of character as well as of body. As a young boy on the farm he was very ambitious and early determined to have a good thorough education. He prepared himself for college at a small academy in Indiana and at the age of twenty-two he entered Indiana University. During his four years of student life his thorough work and happy, genial disposition won for him the close friendship of both the instructors and students. Among the former was David Starr Jordan then occupying the chair of Mathematics. After graduation Mr. Swain was retained as a tutor in Mathematics. Two years later, 1885, he was made associate professor of mathematics and given leave of absence for one year. In September of the same year he was married to Miss Fanny Morgan, also of Pendleton. He left immedi- ately, accompanied by Mrs. Swain, for Europe where he entered the University of Edinburgh. By rare good luck and Hoosier persistence, he gained entrance to the Royal Observatory. He thereby became associated with Prof. Prazza Smythe, Royal Astronomer, and of Prof. Chrystal, the Mathematician. Re- turning home he held the position as associate professor for three years, and in 1890 became head of the Mathematics De- partment. IVhen Dr. Jordan as President of Leland Stanford University chose the Professor of Mathematics for the new institution he called upon Dr. Swain. In 1893, however, Dr. Swain was called back to Indiana where he accepted the Presi- dency of his Alma Mater. Under the able and efficient rule of President Swain, the University has steadily grown until in the year 1898, only half a decade after his return, the enrollment has reached 1,0-10 students.