Gettysburg College - Spectrum Yearbook (Gettysburg, PA)

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DR. GR1i-1 M Professorship of the German Language and Literature Among the chairs established at the founding of the College was the Professorship of the Latin Language and of the German Language, with the Rev. E. L. Hazelius, D. D., as its first incum- bent. ln 1838 the College received aid from the State to provide for a separate German chair, as it was rather unusual for German to be taught in colleges. The Rev. H. I. Smith, A. M., was elected Professor of the German Language and Literature and French, and he was followed in turn by the Rev. C. A. Hay, the Rev. C. P. Schaeffer, M-r. G. F. Speiker, the Rev. I. E. Wilken, the Rev. E. W. A. Notz. Ph. D., Prof. A. Martin, Prof. Charles P. Bredi, Prof. Charles F. VVoods, and Dr. S. G. Hefelbower. Upon the election of Dr. l-lefelbower to the Presidency of the College, Prof. C. E. Dryden was appointed Professor of German. He served in this capacity until 1906. when he Was made the Professor of the French Language, and Dr. Grimm was appointed to till his place. Karl Josef Grimm, Ph. D., completed his collegiate education at Grossherzogliche Gymnasia, Wertliheiin, and Tauberbischofs- heim in 1887. The following year he came to America and stud- ied English and Philosophy at St. Ierome's College at Berlin, Ontario. From 1889 to 1891 he studied at Rome, and from 1892 to 1895 he took a course at the Theological Seminary at Gettys- burg. After studying at Johns-Hopkins and teaching at Ursinus College, he came to Gettysburg as the Professor of German. Dr. Grimm is a member of the American Oriental Society, the So- ciety of Biblical Literature, the Modern Language Association, and the fb B K Society. l PROF. SANDERS Professorship of Philosophy At the meeting of the Board of Trustees in june, IQO6, an instructorship in Psychology was created. The Executive Com- mittee was authorized to fill it for one year only and accordingly elected Rev. C. F. Sanders to conduct the work. Prior to 1884 the President of the College conducted a course in Psychology, Ethics, Christian Evidence, and Natural Theology. From that time up until 1906 this course was restricted to Psychology and Ethics. Wlieii chosen for this instructorshin Professor Sanders was doing post-graduate work at the University of Leipsic. At the next meeting of the Board. the instructorship was discontin- ned, and a Professorship of Philosophy created in its stead. This course now includes Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Educa- tion, Theism, and Logic, and has been conducted very ably by Professor Sanders since his election.

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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.

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DR. PARSON s MR. VVEAVER Professorship of Physics Physics was first taught in this College in connection with Chemistry and the Natural Sciences. Upon the resignation of Prof. Sadtler, in 1874, the chair of Physics and Astronomy was created by the Board, with Dr. Bikle as professor until 1888 Physics was then reunited with Chemistry under the charge of Dr. Breidenbaugh, and remained so until 1907, when the chair of Physics was created. The Board elected Louis A. Parsons, Ph. D., to fill the chair which had just been endowed. Since the coming of Dr. Parsons, the course in Physics has been greatly improved, and a large stock of apparatus has been added, while the basement of Recitation Hall has been transformed into a well- equipped laboratory. Dr. Parsons was graduated from Iowa State University in 1895. He taught Science in the Burlington High School for the next three years, and by studying during the summers he ob- tained his degree of M. A. in 1898. For the next four years he took up post-graduate Work at Iohns-Hopkins University, and from 1902 to 1903 he was instructor in Physics. After teaching Physics at Utah State University and then at California State University, he came to Gettysburg College in 1907, and he has faithfully performed his duty. Dr. Parsons is ably assisted by Mr. Rufus A. VVeaver, B. S., of the class of 1907.