Wilson College - Conococheague Yearbook (Chambersburg, PA)

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education. The lirst year a goodly number of stu- dents presented themselves for admission, chielly residents of Chambersburg and the neighboring towns. ln the first Catalogue, issued in 1871, but four names appear outside of Pennsylvania, while in the issue of 1894, the 232 students are drawn from 18 different states, with one repre- sentative each from China and japan. The Board of Instruction and Management in 187o numbered nine, in 1894 twenty-seven. Since the original building was enlarged, three additions have been built, and the Main l-lall now stands complete according to the original plan. In addition to this building, there are the Gymnasium Qcontaining also the Biological Laboratoryj, Fletcher Hall and the Cottage-the two latter being residence halls for students. The Library, a large, wellalighted room in the Main Hall, numbers several thousand volumes, and is being steadily enlarged. lt is well supplied with books of reference, and is a most important adjunct to the work of the College. The Chapel, built in the last addition to the Main Hall, is well suited for the religious services which are held twice daily. A pipe organ will be ready for use in June, 1895. XVilson College has passed through many vicis- situdes in the course of its quarter of a century of existence, and its present prosperity is largely ,-.UT

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ld if I ywlgon College is proud of the fact that she owes her existence to a woman. The money which purchased, enlarged andequipped the Col- lege buildings was generously donated by a resi- dent of 'Franklin county, Miss Sarah Wilson, whose name the .College justly bears. She made it possible that in this beautiful Cumberland Val- ley-in' a region famed for its natural beauties, its healthful atmosphere and great historic interest -should be founded an institution whose influence should go forth with its students to all ,parts of our land, and be felt even beyond the seas, where, on many foreign shores, Wilson graduates are carrying the teachings and lessons of their beloved Alma Mater. The College was opened in September, I87O, as a chartered institution, under the control of a Board of Trustees, several names of the original members appearing in every subsequent Catalogue to the present day. The first president was Dr. Tryon Edwards, of Hagerstown, Md., through whose interest and influence the money for the founding of the Col- lege was obtained. Dr. Edwards, a great-grand- son of jonathan Edwards, was a man of sound learning, and of no limited reputation as a thinker, theologian and author. Aided by an able Eaculty, a curriculum was adopted, and strictly adhered tO, which formed at once a basis for a liberal -121 .

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due to Dr. john Edgar, who assumed the Presi- dency in September, 1883. At that time the fortunes of the College had sunk to a low ebb. Dr. Edgar found the College hampered by debt, its grade of scholarship lowered, the resident stu- dents numbering but few more than a score, the school poorly equipped in apparatus and furnish- ings-in fact, a forlorn hope. In ten years, by virtue of his indomitable energy and great financial ability, aided by rare talents as a teacher and organizer, he built up the College again, till to- day it stands as a monument to one who gave up his life in its service. The College confers on its collegiate graduates either the degree of B. A. or B. S. The School of Music confers its own special degrees. The aim of the College has ever been the training of the minds, souls and bodies of its students. Knowing any education to be dehcient which gives inade- quate development to any part of our threefold nature, it strives to give that harmonious develop- ment which shall furnish a broad basis for life. XVhilc allowing in some degree such a large elec- tive system of study as may best suit the indi- vidual tastes and needs of the student, the College wisely prescribes certain definite limits, which must be observed in order to obtain a liberal edu- cation. Certain courses in Language, Literature, im...