Bradley University - Anaga Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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The Dean Charles Truman Wyckoff, Ph. D., L. H. D., is a graduate of Knox College and the University of Chicago. He came to Bradley as an instructor in history when the college was founded.. It is impossible to fully estimate all that he has given to Bradley. Always loyal, energetic, enthusiastic, and willing, he has grown to be an unique and essential part of the college. His material contributions are his permanent building of a splendid de- partment of History, and his consciencious work in the field of music, together with his detailed and skillful manipulation of many of the administrative affairs of the college. He is a friend to all, students and faculty alike, and he is a scholar in the broadest sense of the word. The story of his life work is inseparable from the history of Bradley as a college. E131

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Three Decades of Bradley History THE FOUNDER. Lydia Moss, born July 31, 1816, was married to Tobias S. Bradley in 1837. They had two boys and four girls. All died in early youth. The parents wished to establish a memorial for them. The death of Mr. Bradley in 1867 left his widow to carry out these plans. At first, she thought of a few small shops where trade courses might, be given to young people. But Dr. William R. Harper, late president of the University of Chicago, persuaded her to include academic and collegiate courses of study, and also to begin the work during her lifetime. Thus, for a decade, she saw the fruition of her plans. On January 16, 1908, after a brief illness, her physical presence was withdrawn from the scenes so familiar to her. But she left an enduring memorial in Bradley Hall and in the lives of thousands of students who have been influenced for good by her beneficence. THE BUILDERS. The execution of the Founder's plans was entrusted to a board of trustees, a director llater presidentl, and a faculty, who have loyally sought to carry out her desires. On the 25th of February, 1897, Edward O. Sisson was elected first director of the Institute, which as yet existed only in the muniticent endowment provided by Mrs. Bradley, and in the ideals and plans which were taking form in the minds of her trus- tees. He had a keen, eager mind, great enthusiasm and vision, and a sincere interest in, and kinship with young people. Under his wise leadership were established those sound educational and moral traditions which have always characterized the college. When October 4th, the appointed day for opening, arrived, a faculty and students, to the numbier of 150, assembled in the yet unfinished chapel, and the Founder's vision became a rea ity. In 1904, Director Sisson resigned and was succeeded by Theodore C. Burgess. Appointed head of the department of ancient languages in 1897, he did not come to Bradley till 1898. For more than twenty years the college grew steadily under his wise, able leadership. The enrollment reached a maximum of 2,400 in 1924, when government aid was given to educate ex-soldiers. The new president was a man of high scholarship, and possessed unusual poise as an administrator. In 1920, additions to the two-year college were made, and a sustaining fund of S175,000 was raised. Later, the North Central Association of Secondary Schools, and Colleges recognized Bradley as an approved four-year college of the first rank, conferring the A. B. and B. S. degrees. The sudden and unexpected death of Dr. Burgess on February 26, 1925, brought a feeling of irreparable loss to his colleagues and to the community, and closed a long, eminent period of service which had endeared him to faculty and students alike. Prior to the coming of a new leader, the writer served as acting president. The devoted, loyal support of trustees, faculty, students, and the workers in the offices of administration averted the crisis caused by Dr. Burgess' death, and the forward move- ment continued unchecked. On August 1, 1925, President Frederic R. Hamilton began his work. .Under his able, genial leadership, hopeful building processes continue. The endowment campaign for 2B750,000, under the fine leadership of trustees, business man- ager, and president, now nears completion. THE STRUCTURE. The material Bradley crowns one of the beautiful bluffs which environ it. Spiritually it is seen in the life and character of some nine thousand young men and women who have passed through its portals and are now scattered through- out the United States and foreign countries. Yet, being fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth these many scattered parts are grow- ing into a veritable temple, in which we also are Nbuilded together. CHARLES TRUMAN WYCKOFF. I 19 l