Ottawa University - Ottawan Yearbook (Ottawa, KS)

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5 ,f..gsb.4...5s, TQ' .1 Some ofthe Crises in the History of Ottawa University From 1862 to 1873 the affairs of Ottawa University were unsettled and constantly changing. Starting out with great expectations in the year 1867, the management became so involved that they appealed to the American Baptist Home Mission Society for help. Mr. Robert Atkinson was sent to look into the situation, and through his dogged persistence and unyielding firmness the building and 640 acres of land were saved to the institution at Qttawa. On January 9, 1875, the building now known as Science Hall was burned and carried no insurance. Under the leadership of Mr. Atkinson the necessary funds were raised, mostly in Ottawa, and the building was restored. School work was resumed in the building in 1876, with Mr. P. L. VVilliams as President. After having had the general management of the institution for fifteen years, Mr. Atkinson deciding that he could better serve the instittuion by a change of work, resigned, with three other trustees. Immediate action was taken to supply the vacancies, and to provide for thelcontinuation of the school. In 1884 Dr. M. L. XVard took the destiny of the school under his guiding hand and through his keen business sense and his good judgement in the trying times of a crisis, Ottawa University is today on a substantial basis. About five o'clock on the morning of the opening of the collegiate year in 1902, the new college building was discovered to be on fire. The library, labora- tory apparatus, the instruments of the orchestra, and the college records were all consumed. The executive committee and part of the faculty were called together at seven o'clock. Prompt action was taken, and the opening exercises were held on time. The loyalty of the students was remarkable, and through the whole year, amid discomfort and inconvenience, thesbest of work was done. The present-administration building was constructed as soon as possible by the help of the loyal Baptists of Kansas and local citizens, but now after a dozen years of rapid growth and development since the fire, that cramped feeling that comes from lack of room and equipment is again felt. In answer to this need for expansion the new gymasium will soon take the place of the old frame, while tentative plans have been drawn for a new Science Hall and other important im' provements which the steady and extensive growth of the school has justified.

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kwa .J QTTAVVAN OTTAWA UNIVERSITY IN 1885

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u 15 IM H I? :fl O T TAWAN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING Iliff' if? FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. in