Ohio University - Athena Yearbook (Athens, OH)

Page 9 text:

©bio Clniversit . OR(iAXlZED r.V THE LEGISLATURE OF OHIO, 1804. PRESIDENTS. 1S04, JA or, Lixi LEY, A.M., D.D. 1822, Rev. James Irvixe, A.M. 1S24, Rev. RoiiERT G. Wilson, D.D. 1S: 9, Rev. Wiliiam II. M( Giffey, D.D., LL. D. 1S4S, Rev. Alfred Ryors, D.D. 1852, Rev. Solomon H(» vari), D.D., LL. D. 1S72, Rev. William II. Scott, A.M., LL. D. 188:5, Charles W. Super, A.M., Ph. D.

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preface- z K A ' l ' IIENA lor it , is bt ' fori ' you. ' J ' ho second Vnniial of the (). U., it is, we trust, tlie be ;iniiinn- of :i series to which each year sliall not fail to add its more jierfect work. Miicli have we profited by the labors of ' 92. But it will not be unexpected if we fall into novel errors. The prevailing spirit of our volume is somewhat lighter and less dignified than was that of its predecessor. If excuse is needed, let it be this: that humor is unavoidably superficial; and hence, the necessity of being enter- taining has driven us to ignore many of the characteristics of per- sons and departments which we most respect and love. For naught has been set down in malice. To posterity, then, we bequeath our mistakes with the same calmness as our successes. For we are sure both will be found valuable by future editors. Uniformly we have met with the kindliest encouragement. To all who have hel]ied us by suggestions or in more substantial ways, we extend our thanks, only regretting that space limits forbid mentioning names. We have tried to kee]» three things in view in the jirescnt work: the com] osition of a book entertaining to the general reader; the )iii (luctioM of a memento of wliich the c-lass might l)e proud; and the dissemination of the fame of the Ohio I ' nivei ' sity. Now, dear reader, we have done our best. l ejoice witli us over our siu-cesses, and kindly forget our failui ' es.

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Ubc ©bio Xrinivevslt . IlIK 1 ' , ST VS. TIIK IMJKSKX ' I ' . .Inst as TiiK A ' lUKNA wiMil to ]»rt ' ;;s, one of the bovs was reiiiarkino; tliat the Ohio University was wrought under great ditfieulties. ' ' ' ' Sweet ' ' then, ' ' are tlie uses of adversity, for she is the stronger for her struggles. For nearly a centui-y the Ohio l niversity has sat u|ion liei- hills viewing her estates and hai-boi-ing her resources. Tiie bear and the wild fowl have l)een forced from their haunts in hei ' domains. The wigwam camps of Logan and Cornstalk ha e l)ee;) supplanted by her hamlets, villages, and cities. Her wild lands have been c(inverted into fruitful fields and comfoi ' table homes. Domesticated peace reigns throughout all her ten-itories. The idle llockhocking runs its useless horse-shoe course, rejoicing that the giant Steam has forever lifted the yoke from its less sinewv neck. How great has been the chaiigel Eiglity-nine years ago the ti ' ustees met in a rude log caljin to mature plans for a I ' niversitv in the wilderness ; to-day there are four large buildings crowded with apparatus. Seventy-eight years ago the first cla ' s. numbering two, graduated; this month there goes fortli a class of twenty. Si.vty- nine years ago the liev. Dr. liobert (4. Wilson wa- installed first President and had a i ' acnity of foiii ' professors ; to-. lay the teaching force numbers twenty. The Ohio University has ever sint-e been i ' oitunatc in hei ' picsidcnts. From isos to x-22 the head of the instilul ion wa-i styleil preceptctr. Still it was this same preceptor, the Kev. .lacolt 6