Butler University - Carillon / Drift Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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PREFACE. We take great pleas ure in welcoming to our midst the new chapter of Kappa Sigma. Its establishment shows that the eyes of the world are upon us. The new chapter has made a very auspicious beginning, and will undoubtedly prosper and flourish. All we regret is that it was not with us soon enough to give it its representatives upon the board of editors. And finally, as we leave you to examine our first issue of The Drift at your leisure, we would tender our hearty thanks to all who in any way contributed to its success. The Editors. t i l M.t.y 1 I !, ' . ?. ' , ' , J. ' JtfH

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itefaGe. k S we send forth this, our first attempt at an Annual, we do it I in the hope that it may meet with your kind indulgence, and W ' 1 some share of your approval. With no predecessors whose J footsteps to follow and whose success to emulate, we must make a place for The Drift in your favor as best we can. Of course we are too modest to hold up our book to praise ; butwe venture to hope that our efforts to interest you may not have been altogether in vain. We trust that it is understood by all that the project of publishing an Annual was undertaken by the Fraternities not for their own interest or advantage, nor to set forth their own views and opinions, but that they originated the project in the hope that if the book were furnished an assured basis of support, it might, with the aid of all who are interested in nourishing and spreading the college spirit and enthusiasm, be pushed to a successful issue. We are glad and thankful to say that the interest and response has been cheerful and general, and we are confident that The Drift will hereafter be a regular feature of our college annals each year. The University has entered upon a new era of improvement and de- velopment. With the Library and Preparatory Department established in their splendid new quarters, and with the Gymnasium an assured feature for next year, and with good prospects of further improvements in the near future, the increase of college life and enthusiastic college spirit ought to be sufficient to demand and support an Annual for its outlet and expression.

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plisterf ©£ the ynitrei[§ife . UR college was opened in the fall of 1855 in Indianapolis, under the name of the Northwestern Christian University, a name which it carried until the year 1877, when, in recognition of the faithful service and large gift o f Ovid Butler, the Board of Directors wisely adopted the name which it now bears. The thirty-six years of its existence have been marked by a gradual extension of its courses of study, and an endeavor to keep pace with the constantly progressing ideas of education in our country. It will hardly be disputed that Butler University now ranks among the best colleges of the State. Like most of the great schools of the past, it had its origin with the church, and has been largely supported by The Disciples of Indiana. In 1841 the question of establishing a college was first publicly considered at a meeting of representatives of the Christian Church of the State. Such enterprises move slowly, however, and it was not until October, 1849, that Elijah Goodwin, previously appointed to learn the will of the Christian churches of the State, reported a large majority of them favorable to the project of establishing a university, and willing to aid in carrying it out. An organization was effected. A charter was drawn up, approved by the Legislature, and went into effect January, 1850. Elder John O ' Kane, soliciting agent, reported in 1852 subscriptions of stock amounting to $75,000. Id July of the same year the first Board of Directors convened in Indianapolis, and Ovid Butler was chosen chairman. A little later a site for campus and building was selected, and the west wing of a very large and imposing prospective building- was ordered to be erected. It was ready for occupancy by the spring of 1855. President Benton conducted a preparatory school in this building through the summer, and was Acting President of the college during its first session. In 1856 John Young, who had been Professor of Natural Sciences, was chosen the first regular President, which position he held for two years.