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

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wm. B. Burford, Printer, Indianapolis. - ? £

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HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY. In the fall of 1858 S. K. Hoshour assumed the duties of President. In 1861 he was succeeded by A. R. Benton, who continued in the position until June, 1868. He was followed by O. A. Burgess, who, at this time, remained at the head of the institution only two years. W. F. Black was elected President in 1870, and served in that capacity until O. A. Burgess was recalled in 1873. President Burgess remained in charge until the spring of 1881, when he was succeeded by H. W. Everest. In 1885 the honor fell for the second time to President Ben ton, who still holds the position. In the summer of 1875 the college was removed from Indianapolis to Irvington. This was done partly for the ' sake of the endowment fund, which waTlargely increased by sale of lots from the old campus, and partly on account of the advantages of the town over the city. The citizens of Irvington donated the present campus and more than $100,000 in stock. The removal to this beautiful suburban village made an epoch in the history of the institution. Two features of the school should be specially mentioned. First, it was distinctly declared that Christianity and the morality of the Bible should be taught from the Bible itself as a part of all the college courses. But this instruction was to be entirely non-sectarian. -In this respect it was for some time peculiar among the colleges of the country. Again Butler University was, with a single exception, the first school of the country to receive women as students on the same conditions as men, the same requirements for graduation being made of each. In both these respects the projectors and managers of the institution showed themselves in advance of most of the educators of their day. Butler University has endeavored to do what she has done with great thoroughness, and is proud of the standing of her graduates generally. The number of students graduated as compared with the number in at- tendance has been gratify ingly large. The Alumni of the University number 310 from the Literary Department. Eighty-three students were graduated from the Law Department during the few years it was in operation. Of the present faculty, President Benton has had longest connection with the school, having worked in it twenty-eight years. Prof. Thrasher, with the exception of a single year, has been teaching in the college since 1864; Prof. Butler since 1871. Prof. Hay came to the University in 1880. Prof. Brown began work as tutor in 1877, taking full pro- fessorship in 1883. Prof. Garvin has been a member of the faculty since 1881; Prof. Noble since 1883. Prof. Iden began work as an in- structor in 1884. Messrs. Miller and Howe have each been connected