Denison University - Adytum Yearbook (Granville, OH)

Page 15 text:

THE ADYTUM. II than has been before for years, and a still greater in- crease is confidently looked for next fall. Improvements have also been made in many lines of college work. The preparatory department has been separated from the college proper, and has its own Prin- cipal and Faculty. It is now designated as Granville Academy, and the course has been lengthened to four years instead of three. What was formerlv the Youno- Ladies ' Institute at the foot of the hill, has come into the hands of the Baotist Denomination of Ohio, throuo-h the generosity of its former owner, D. Shepardson, D.D., and has started on a nevr career under the name of Shepardson College for Women. An endovrment of $100,000 has already been raised, one beautiful new building erected, and several more will be built soon. Thus three institutions are united under one head, but with two Boards of Trustees. The Professors of the University have charge of somie of the classes in Shep- ardson College and the Academy, while others are taught by teachers engaged especially for those institu- tions. By the present system, a compromise is aimed at betvv-een the friends and opponents of co-education. It is thought that all the advantages, with none of the disadvantages will be attained by this union of the dif- ferent schools. And so far. we have not been disap- pointed. There has been less friction, better work, and a vast general improvement in all three institutions. The library, consisting of about 15,000 volumes, has been classified according to the Dewey system, and thereby rendered much more convenient and easy of reference. It has also been enlarged by the accession

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THE YEAR. The year just closing- has been one of the most satis- factory in the history of our college. D. U. has al- ways been noted, among a small circle of acquaintances, as a place vhere the best of mental discipline and moral training could be obtained at a reasonable cost. But there has never been sufficient effort made to bring the institution as prominently before the public as the ad- vantages which it affords would warrant. Former boards of Trustees and Faculties have shown but little interest in increasing the num.ber of students, thinking, apparently that as the school was financially self-sup- porting, the num.ber of students was less im.portant than in a school which depends upon tuitions to defray its running expenses. But with the new administration which entered upon its duties a year and a half ago, has come a marked change in this respect. An effort has been made, not only to secure a larger attendance of students, but also to enlist the sympathies of prominent men in behalf of the institution. And the effort has been as successful as could be hoped for in the short time since operations were begun ; a larger numiber of students has been enrolled this year in all departments

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12 THE ADYTUM. of the Hbraries of the CalHopean and FrankHn societies, consistinof- of about 2,000 volumes each. The Reading Room and Lecture Association has given us this winter one of the best courses of enter- tainments ever listened to in Granville. Beginning the year, as it did, with the bad odor of a debt and levy clinging to its garments, from the course last year, it has bravely surmounted all obstacles, and will close the year with money in hand and an excellent record. For the former blessing we have to thank Providence, for the latter, the Lecture Committee. In the oratorical line Denison has this time obtained her dues. The first place, which was ours by right last year, but which we were robbed of by a person who made use of his position as Secretary of the Inter-State Oratorical Association, to gratify a personal spite, was awarded to our representative on the Ohio State Con- test last February. We must not forget to mention some of the improve- ments which have been made about the college grounds. A ' ' Campus Improvement Association has been or- ganized among the students, through the efforts of Mrs. Dr. Anderson, for the purpose of beautifying the campus. Under its watchful care beds of flowers have been set out which add greatly to the attractiveness of the place. The walk up the steep hill has been facilitated by the building of a set of steps, which are duly appreciated by those who have to climb the hill a number of times a day in all sorts of weather. Trees have been set out on each side of the steps, which will in time, no doubt, add their share of beauty and comfort. The campus is