Blackburn College - Beaver Tales Yearbook (Carlinville, IL)

Page 9 text:

at a cost of less than five cents a day. If only those first Blackburnians could see our central heating and carpeted floors! Academics were quite different in times past. A Blackburnian of 1869 might have been found cram- ming for a Greek or Hebrew final, or possibly boning up on his astronomy or geology. A preparatory school was available for the many students who had not had sufficient secondary school preparation. Admission to the college was based upon a preliminary academic examination. These tests were also used as an aid in placement of the students according to ability. The college curriculum was divided into two departments, the Collegiate and Theological Department an1 the Scientific Department. The enrollment of the Blackburn University in 1869 was 277. Over three-fourths of the students were from the Carlinville area. Modern B.U. has nearly Student workers on the roof of University Hall.

Page 8 text:

-[ special study room was provided in Old Main for the sole use of female students. This room was under the constant supervision of a teacher. “When they have completed their daily recitations, they return to their own rooms. By this arrangement parents are enabled to educate their sons and daughters at the same insti- tution, and secure for each the same means for the attainment of knowledge, mental discipline and cul- ture.” (Catalogue, 1869) Blackburn has always operated at a relatively low cost to the student. Hlowever, prices have increased over the years. In 1869, total costs to the student per year came to $150. Included in this sum were board, tuition, room-rent and fuel. In 1869 the college was operating on what we would call today a trimester plan. The fall term lasted sixteen weeks at a rate of nine dollars in tuition. The winter and spring terms were each eleven weeks in length at a rate of six dol- lars tuition. The rooms in Old Main were small, each heated by a coal-burning stove stoked by the occupant B.U. romance in the early Twentieth Century.

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reversed these statistics! Of the 277 students, eighty- eight were enrolled in the Collegiate-Theological De partment, while 189 were enrolled in the Scientific Department. The College provided its graduate with either a Bachler of Arts ora Bechelor of Science degree. The majority of the original graduates followed the theological course, seeking careers in the church min- istry. However, as was noted earlier, most of the 1869- 70 enrollment was in the Scientific Department. Wisdom and knowledge were imparted to the stu- dents through a four-member faculty. Dr. Bailey, who was also President of the College, taught Hebrew and theology. The other members were Professor Robert P. Minton, mathematics; Professor John D. Conley, the sciences; and Rev. John B. Soule, Latin and Greek. The faculty was assisted by student aides, much as we have faculty assistants today. Social life on the 1869 campus was very different from today’s activity. (Perhaps this was due in part to the policy of women spending the evenings in the +?