Monmouth College - Ravelings Yearbook (Monmouth, IL)

Page 21 text:

Monmouth ' s Seml-Centennial. |]IFTY years of work completed. This the record of Mon- mouth College. Such a record surely calls for something more than passingnotice. Who was the first to suggest a Semi-centennial celebration may be a question hard to settle. Nor does it matter much. The first formal action toward such a celebration was taken by the Senate in June 1903. THE COMMITTEE. At that time a committee was appointed to be known as the Semi ' Centennial Committee. It was made up as follows: T. H. Mc- Michael, Chairman; W. J. Buchanan, Secy.; Mrs. J. C. Kilgore, Rev. J. F. Jamieson, C. F. Buck, Miss Alice Winbigler, Miss Florabel Patterson and Prof. |. H. McMillan. This com mittee after careful deliberation announced its plans. These provided for new buildings, increased endowment and a splen- did jubilee celebration. MEMORIAL BUILDINGS. It seemed fitting that the buildings be of a memorial character, pre- serving the names of the two whom Monmouth above all others delights to honor— Dr. David A. Wallace and Dr. |. B. McMichael. These buildings have not yet altogether materialized but the Alumni have taken hold of the project with commendable zeal and already quite a fund has been raised. Indeed so hearty has been the response that ths committee confidently believes that before long Wallace Hall of residence for young Ladies and McMichael Science Hall will be part of the equipment of Monmouth College. INCREASED ENDOWMENT The more machinery the more power there must be to run it. The committee ' s plans provide therefore for increased endowment. In the carrying out of this part of the plan some progress has been made. Some half dozen endowed scholarships, each represenii.ng a gift of $1000 have been secured while the committees plans for nevv buildings were maturing there came from Mr. Andre A Carnegie the offer of a $30,000 Library Building provided $30,000 of new endowment be raised for its maintenance. Toward this $20,000 have already been subscribed. Here might be mentioned also the gift of a three acre tract of land just north of the old campus and valued at $3,000. The intention is to make this the site of Wallace Hall. JUBILEE CELEBRATION. The third feature of the committee ' s plan provided for a jubilee ce ebration to be held during Commencement week, 1 906. It has been

Page 20 text:

MONMOUTH ' S PRESIDENTS.

Page 22 text:

the hope o the committee in all its p ' anning to make this the grardest homecoming time Monmouth has ever known. To this end com- munication has been ope ned up with every member of the Alumni and with old students so far as possible. Monmouth ' s children have scattered far from the old home. Many of them have attained high rank and distinction. But wherever they have gone and to whatever heights they have attained, they have remained true to their Alma Mater. As this is written, many of them, doubtless seeing visions of the old halls and the old haunts, and are longing for them, much as Goldsmith longed for the scenes of his earlier days. In all my wanderings ' round this world of care. in all my griefs — and God has given me my share, 1 still had hopes, my latest hours to crown. Amidst these humble bowers to lay me down. Indeed there lies before me just now a le:ter from one of the busiest and most highly honored of these in which he says I am afraid 1 shall not give very close attention to oral arguments that day as I know my heart will be in old Monmouth. Many VA ill be present in body, others in heart only, but however present may the influence of the old college on the prairies touch again all who have walked her halls and listened for the sound of her bell. Wherever Monmouth s children may bs on Tuesday and Wednesday, June fifth and sixth, may they pause and give a thought to and breathe a prayer for their Alma Mater. Program. CF SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF MONMOUTH COLLEGE, 1906. MONDAY, JUNE THE FOURTH. 8:00 P. M. REUNION OF CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS, TUESDAY, JUNE THE FIFTH— HISTO?,ICAL DAY, 9:00 A. M. Class Re ' jnions 2:00 P. M. Procession of Students and Alumni Old Hundred