Bucknell University - L Agenda Yearbook (Lewisburg, PA)

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A YEAR ' S PROGRESS. True to the prediction of last year ' s!, ' Agenda, we are now called upon to record a degree of improvement unparalleled in the history of the University. The strong, steady hand of the new administration has been felt in every department. Advancement in every direction. I. FINANCIALLY. The sudden growth of the College department from 128 to 145 students necessitates an increase in the teaching force. The stupendous task of raising $100,000 to meet this requirement was completed July ist, 1892. This was the greatest triumph in the University ' s histor3 inasmuch as it had been, for a decade before, dependent on the gifts of a single individual, while this vast sum represents the interest of many. The funds of the University have been further increased by the acquisition of the M. B. Livingstone fund, amounting to over $11,000, which is to be used in liquidating the tuition of a definite number of students received by the Pennsylvania Baptist Educa- tion Society. In addition to all this, $500 have been received from the William H. Bachus estate, to be dovoted to purchasing books for the College library. A part of the bequest of the late Silas Evans has also been added to the permanent funds of the University. II. IN THE CURRICULA. It was, however, in the College curricula that the greatest changes were made manifest. The elective system was greatly expanded. This flexibility in choice in the studies of the last years in college marks a great stride for- ward, and gives the student an opportunity, if he so desires, to do part of the work of a professional school while yet in college. The nev electives include Hebrew, Constitutional Law, Roman Law, Latin, Greek, French, German, Animal Histology, Animal Embr3 ' Ology, Plant Histology, and English Bible. The last named of these deserves special notice, since it involves the endow- ment of a new chair at an expense of $40,000, which is now rapidly being :aised. By this step Bucknell has placed herself on a level with many lead- ing American colleges, which very recently have given the Bible its well deserved place in the curricula.

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fun, broken noses and broken bottles, black eyes and dilapidated raiment.) That is the reason why two of us did not join in that song. Well, Carroll Bilting read the Declaration of Independence. One orator was uncertain, owing to the tumults of the night, whether he could remem- ber his oration, and wrote the heads on his program. Poor, faded, old paper! How many memories you bring up ! How you have blotted out the first Connnencement day ! Ten years later I met many of the companions of our early fray in a more serious war. Some laid down their lives. There are a few left, with ivy and laurel about their brows. Jim Lane ' s exuberant eloquence had for its theme The Declaration of Independence, and graceful Johnny Taggart, whose thrilling tone and pol- ished sentence I well recall, dilated on A Country ' s Memorials and Their Influences. Lane became a celebrated lawyer and judge. Johnny Taggart died in the army. Charles Hayes was a brilliant staff officer, his later study of civil engineering making him very efficient. But if you wish a detail of the first Commencement you must wait while one of that date lingers a while among his old companions.

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III. IN THE FACULTY. The teaching force of the College has been somewhat changed during the year. The resignation of Professor Clarence Fassett Castle, Ph. D., was received and reluctantly accepted. The chair of Greek, thus made vacant, is now very efficiently filled by Prof. Thomas Franklin Hamblin, A. M. Mr. Lincoln Hulley, A. M., resigned last commencement to accept a fellowship and prosecute his studies in the University of Chicago. His place is now filled by Mr. Llewellyn Phillips, A. B., of the class of 1892. IV. NEW PRIZES. Two new prizes became available this year. (i). A prize in chemistry, given by W. C. Hollopeter, M. D., of the class of 1874, to be awarded to the student at graduation who shall have done the best work in chemistry, regard being had both to the amount and quality of the work. (2). The Sophomore declamation prize, to be awarded to that student who delivers the best declamation at the annual contest. V. IN THE GYMNASIUM. F ' or the first time since the erection of the Tustin Gymnasium, gymnas- tics became compulsory this year. The.success of this new venture is mani- fested in the large classes and regular attendance on drill days. Two suc- cessful athletic exhibitions were given during the year — one on Washing- ton ' s birthday, and one at the close of the middle term. Upon entering the gymnasium each student is carefully measured and the proper work pre- scribed by the Physical Directors, assisted by W. L. Gerhart, M. D., of Uewisburg, formerly of the class of 1886.