Gettysburg College - Spectrum Yearbook (Gettysburg, PA)

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l DR. N1xoN MR. TROXIQLL Alumni Professorship of Mathematics and Astronomy The' first teacher of Mathematics in Pennsylvania College was Rev. M. Jacobs, who occupied tl1e chair of Natural Philoso- phy. Chemistry and Mathematics. This work under his direction so progressed that in 1845 it became necessary to divide it. Prof. H. Haunt, A. M., was elected as adjunct Professor of Mathe- matics, Drawing and French. The new Professorship of Natural Sciences was established in 1865. By this readjustment of courses only Mathematics and Astronomy were left to Dr. Jacobs' de- partment. Shortly afterwards, however, Dr. Iacobs' health began to fail and he was compelled to give up teaching after a long and very active career of thirty-four years. In appreciation of his valuable services, he was awarded the nosition of Professor Emeritus. Prof. Luther H. Croll succeeded him, occupying this position until 1888, when on account of ill health he was com- pelled to withdraw from his duties. A year later Professor Croll died and Dr. H. B. Nixon, Ph. D., who had been conducting the work during Professor Croll's illness, was elected to the profes- sorship. The Alllllllll Professorship of Mathematics and Astronomy was endowed in 1904 on funds raised by the Alumni of the Col- lege. In IQO7, Mr. H. S. Dornberger, A. M., was elected as the first assistant in this department, which has grown greatly during Dr. Nixon's incumbency. The following year. the present assist- ant, Mr. F. G. Troxell, A. B., succeeded Mr. Dornberger.

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DR. BICKLE Pearson Professorship of the Latin Language and A Literature The College started with five professorships, one of these being the Professorship of the Latin Language and German. Dr. Hazelius of the Seminary consented to take temporary charge of this department until the chair could be filled, and in 1834 the Rev, Wifi. M. Reynolds was elected to this position. After is faithful service of sixteen years, Professor. Reynolds resigned to become president of Capital University, at Columbus, Ohio. Pro- fessor Stoever was appointed to fill the vacancy, and held this position until his death, in 1869. At this time Professor Jacobs had been elected to the Franklin Professorship, and to this chair the course in Latin was transferred. ln 1881 the Board made a general readjustment of the various departments, and the Latin chair became the Pearson Professorship of the Latin Language and Literature. Dr. Bikle, who had been head of the department of Physics and Astronomy, was elected to the Latin Professor- ship, and has held that position ever since. The Rev. Philip Melanchthon Bikle, A. M., Ph. D., was graduated from Gettysburg in 1866, as Salntatorian of his class, and three years later he was graduated from the Theological Seminary. After a great deal of experience in teaching he was called to be Professor of Physics at Gettysburg College in 1874, and in 1881 was chosen Pearson Professor of Latin. Three years later, Dr. Bikle received his degree of Ph. D. from -Roanoke Col- lege. In 1889 he was made Dean of the Faculty, and has been serving in that capacity since that time. Under his influence the Latin department has become one of the best conducted depart- ments in the institution. Dr. Bikle is a member of the American Philological Association, the E X Fraternity, the 111 B K Society, and the Phrenakosmian Society. Pnor. IQLINGER Franklin Professorship of the Greek Language and Literature The chair of the Greek Language was one of the first pro- fessorships established by the Board, and the Rev. H. L. Baugher was elected as the First professor. He vacated the chair in 1850 to become President of the College, and in his stead the Board appointed Prof. F. A. Muhlenberg, of Franklin College. Lancas- ter, which was about to be dissolved. One-third interest in Franklin College was transferred to Gettysburg in 1853, thus founding the Franklin Professorship of the Ancient Languages. On the founding of Muhlenberg College, Professor Muhlenberg was chosen as its first president, and resigned his professorship at Gettysburg. Prof. H. Louis Baugher was then Greek Profes- sor until ISSO. when he resigned. In 1881 the chair became the Franklin Professorship of the Greek Language and Literature, with Dr. Jacobs as its first incumbent. In 1883 Dr. Jacobs was succeeded by Dr. H. L. Baugher. who resigned in 1896, when Professor Klinger was elected to the position of Greek Professor, and has held it ever since then. The Rev. Oscar Godfrey Klinger, A. M., was graduated from Gettysburg in 1886. After completing his course in the Theo- logical Seminary, he went to Cincinnati as city missionary, and two years later he became Principal of the Kee Mar College for Womeii. In ISQZ he was elected Principal of Stevens Hall, and four years later he was advanced to the Greek Professorship in Gettysburg College. Professor Klinger is a member of the Phil- omathean and Pen and Sword Societies, and of the db 1' A Fra- ternity.

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DR. STAHLIEY Graff Professorship of Biology and Hygiene In 1887, Dr. George D. Stahley was elected to the chair of Physical Culture and Hygiene. Being a graduate of Gettysburg, he had always taken a personal interest in her welfare, and upon his election he immediately set out to find some field of greater usefulness to his Alma Mater. Seeing that the College was in great need of a course in Biology in order to keep pace with the other institutions, he petitioned the Board of Trustees for the permission to establish such a course and, with their approval. he set about the work at once. As the result of his tireless efforts, the present excellent course in Biology and Hygiene is offered. The department is constantly growing. It is today in- strumental in drawing many students to Gettysburg to prepare for the study of medicine. The work is carried on by lectures. demonstrations, dissections, quizzes, etc., in a well-lighted and well-equipped laboratory. The course includes the following branches: General Biology, Invertebrate Zoology, Vertebrate Zoology, Human Anatomy. Mammalian Histology, and Embry- ology. PROP. XVENTZ The Amanda Rupert Strong Memorial Professorship of English Bible and Chaplaincy This professorship was endowed by Mr. James Strong. a successful business man of Philadelphia, and an active worker in the Lutheran Church, as a memorial to his first wife. He re- served the right, in endowing this chair, to name its first incum- bent. He showed his competency in this direction by nominating Prof. Eli Huber, D. D., who was his first pastor. Dr. Huber served faithfully until 1904, when Rev. M. Coover, D. D.. Pastor of the College Church. was chosen as his successor. Rev. Dr. Coover served but one year, being called to a chair in the Theo- logical Seminary. Rev. John O. Evjen, Ph. D.. was secured as his successor. Dr. Evjen filled the chair very successfully until the Spring of 1909. At the beginning of the following Fall term, the present incumbent. Prof. A. R. Vifentz. began his duties in this department, and has since conducted them in a very success- ful manner.