Amherst College - Olio Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

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capacity and conveniences, and new apparatus has been furnished for the students' use. The only thing that can now prevent any number from enjoy- ing the instruction of the Professor who has created this department is the limit of one man's mortal time and strength. A sum not to exceed fIO0,000 has been appropriated for the erection of two new laboratories, one for Physics and the other for Chemistry, buildings the college has long needed. The plans for the interiors are well advanced though it is not yet settled whether they shall both be under one roof. In either case the beauty of the exterior will be thoughtfully considered, while convenience, suitableness, efficiency and completeness of appointment will be secured at any rate. It is thus very clear that the scientific side of the Col- lege has been essentially developed and strengthened, and in this respect new things are just ahead of us. Old South College has been made inside entirely new. Everything has been taken out except a few of the partitions and all of the memories and associations, to foster which the rooms have still the old numbers. A cellar has been dug under the whole building to hold the apparatus for heating the house by steam. Water has been carried into all the bedrooms. All the fire- places have been left open and ready for their back-logs. Hard wood floors are laid throughout the dormitory and the whole of the old woodwork has been replaced by new. The rooms are so arranged that one student can occupy one room, or two or three can be thrown together en sm'!c. The out- side remains just the same, and no alumnus will have his thoughts of former times disturbed till he enters the building and finds the cold and the wind left outside. The same cherishing spirit has been shown in the rebuilding of the Presi- dent's House. The changes are many and admirable, but all made with the intention of preserving the character of the old house. Mr. Percy Gritiin, of New York City, has drawn the plans and has accommodated to the house features of the, so-called, colonial style of architecture. While the interior is such, in its space and beauty, as to make possible the hospitality in which President and Mrs. Gates have already shown their delight, it is also fitted to secure the rest and privacy of a home. This happy outlook for the college could not be, but for the gifts of her friends, and with pleasure and gratitude we make mention of the following :- 19

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at 61-IE cottsoswfi When, at our last Commencement, President Seelye, with a regal simplicity that expressed his greatness, handed to his successor the keys of the college, a new period in our history began. We remember with what quiet dignity, frankness and reserve of modesty President Gates accepted the symbols and looked straight into the heart of his responsibility. As, with the confidence of hope, he stepped into the future the Sons of Amherst gave him their cheer, and followed expecting success. The first year of his administration has not yet reached its maturity, but enough of its fruit has appeared to assure us that we did not reckon wrong. In the first place we have welcomed two new Professors, one to the depart- ment of Physics and the other to a chair in Mathematics. Professor Kimball comes to us from john Hopkins University, where he had already achieved a reputation for original investigation -in Physics, and where his teaching had made him known to the collegiate world. Professor Olds came so quietly that we did not know at first how energetically Rochester University and the people of the city expostulated against our urgent demand. We rejoice with the Trustees on the power of their persuasion. By this elec- tion the Mathematical department has been reinforced by the addition of a full Professor, This means that the era of the inexperienced tutor is at an end at Amherst, and that the best instruction is to be provided for each department and for every year in the college course. Acting on this principle the Trustees are still searching for the right man to fill the chair of French and other Romance Languages, in which department Professor Montague will still continue to teach Italian and Spanish. New buildings are provided for and old ones are rebuilding. The Biological laboratory by the addition of a new story has doubled its 18

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Mr. D. Willis james, of New York City, gave last June to the general fund of the college, for the development and strengthen- ing ofthe teaching force, SIO0,000 From Mr. Fayerweather's legacy the College receives, roo,ooo From the will of Mr. john C. Newton, of Worcester, Mass., the College receives for the endowment of a Professorship of Greek, 5o,ooo From Mr. F. B. Pratt for the Athletic Field, about 3o,ooo From a friencl for the purchase of the Boltwood property, 25,ooo From the will of Mr. Rufus B. Kellogg, of the class of '58 and lately a Trustee of the College, 3o,ooo 531-55,ooo It is between not ,the amount alone of these gifts but also their wise divisions the internal and the external needs of the College that makes the future bright. 1 y'T , x, 1 'U 1',r . in J ,xy -x,..-'u r 's.,..J X I 20