DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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Qur New Vice-Chancellor 31,925 common with many older and more wealthy colleges of the land, De Pauw has suffered severely during the recent years of business depression, invested capital has decreased in 9U 1?R s value, incomes have been reduced. Last year, at the annual meeting of the board of trustees, there was a unanimity of feeling that some plan must be put into operation looking to an increase of endow- ments, and that an officer of the corporation be elected to outline business plans, to assume exclusive financial oversight of the institution, to repre- sent it to its constituency, and to perform other duties as an officer and leader. It was at once seen to be a very responsible action that should designate who this ma11 should be. The already heavy duties of the president rendered it out of question that he should serve in this capacity also. The extensive work and travels of the honored chancellor, Dr. Bowman, senior bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, made the consideration of his name impracticable. The office must be filled by some one without the present employ of the institution. The field was thoroughly canvassed. Men of well-known financial ability, and of power upon the platform, were looked for, as it was evident that upon the shoulders of the man chosen must rest perhaps the heaviest responsibility borne by any one since the heroic founding of Old Asbury. After thorough investigation, unanimous choice fell upon the Rev. W. H. Hickman, A. M., D. D., pastor of First M. E. Church, Terre Haute, and he was elected Vice-Chancellor of the University. Dr. Hickman is a native of Virginia, belonging to one of its oldest and best families. He is an alumnus of '4Old Asbury University. When but a mere lad, in answer to his country's call, he left his home, 99 became a volunteer in the Union army, and joined the first crowd of boys who left for the South after the flag had been lowered from Sumter. He served with credit throughout the war. At its close, he entered Asbury University and graduated in 1873. He afterwards spent some time in post-graduate and professional studies in Evanston and

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Boston. He began his life work in the ministry of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, becoming a member of the Northwest Indiana Conference. Since that time he has served the most important pulpits of this confer- ence, and has been identified with the great interests of the church at home and abroad. He has twice been elected a member of the General Conference, and has served upon some of the most important commit- tees of that body. He was for some time President of Clarke University, and during his administration that institution had one of the most pros- perous epochs of its history. With such a career behind him, and with the prospects for promotion that were before him, it is with heroic sacrifice, therefore, that he has taken up the heavy responsibilities of l1is present office. But from the first his plans have proven wise and his appeal to Indiana Methodism l1as awakened a most encouraging response. He is widely and favorably known. The people believe in l1is statesman-like ability. He is a power upon the platform, and his eloquent appeals have already turned the tide to victory. Students have learned to expect some encouraging report whenever he appears upon the platform at chapel exercises. Several thousands of dollars have been procured since the opening of the year, and from the enthusiasm which is in every quarter beginning to kindle for the triumph of his cause, we predict for him complete victory. Once again the people of Methodism feel the welfare of the University upon their hearts and the signs of the times are full of hope. Success to you, Doctor! And may old De Pauw, hallowed by the sacred memories that linger in ten thousand loyal hearts, venerable for her gift to the world of men in church and state, and resplendent with victory, yet come into an era of greater prosperity, wider influence, and larger life.