Gettysburg College - Spectrum Yearbook (Gettysburg, PA)

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The inspiration for the founding of a Lutheran Seminary and College came from the late eighteenth century activities centered around the University of Pennsylvania, Dickinson College and Franklin College. In 1826 Rev. Samuel Simon Schmucker founded the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and established a preparatory classical school, the Gymnasium, in connection with the seminary. In 1831 a meeting was held to consider the possibility of converting this preparatory school into a college. Both the responsible officials of the Lutheran Church and the town fa- thers of Gettysburg who were interested in higher education attended this meeting. From it grew a movement to petition the state legislature for a college charter and its eventual success on April 7, 1832. The organization of the college was a fuIl-dress affair. The Adams Sentinel, published in Gettysburg, described it in full in its July 10, 1832, issue IcThe organization of Pennsylvania College took place on Wednesday last, the Fourth of July. Agreeably to previous arrangement, a procession was formed at half past ten oIclock, at the Academy under the direction of General T. C. Miller and C01. M. C. Clarkson, marshals 0f the day, in the follow- ing order 1. 6tGettysburg Guards? 2. ttStrangers and Citizens.,, 3. 'The Invited Strangers? 4. MI1he Students of the Gymnasium? The Gettysburg Academy building was erected about 1813. In the 182035 the building was turned over to the Seminary and in time came to house the Preparatory School and the College be- fore the campus was purchased. The building still stands on the southeast corner of Wahington and High Streets in Gettysburg. Christ,s Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized on November 8, 1836, two days after its building was consecrated! The church was erected for holding services in English for the college and seminary; form- ing a congregation came as an afterthought. It has been popularly known as ttCoIlege ChurchII through the years.

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The Rev. Dr. Samuel Simon Schmucker tl799-1373L founder of Gettysburg College, was a leading Lu- theran theologian and clergyman for many decades. At a time when denominationalism was popular, Schmucker boldly suggested a plan for ecumenical union. The greater part of his life was devoted to the Gettysburg Seminary, which he had founded in 1826. Dr. Henry W. A, Hanson, President of the College, 1923-1953, and now President Emeritus, served the college during the troublesome Depression and World War era. Originator of the parentsi weekends, which since spread to many other schools, Dr. Hanson has continued to benefit Gettysburg since his retirement. iiThe Students of the Seminary? gThe Teachers and Professors. i6The Clergy? iiPatronsf, iiThe Orator 0f the Day, accompanied by the Of- ficiating Clergymenf, iiin this order the procession moved to the Presbyterian Church and the line being open, the Orator and OHiciat- ing Clergymen passed in, followed by Patrons. etc., in inverted order. An appropriate hymn was sung, ac- companied by instrumental music after which a most fervent prayer was ofiered up to the throne of grace. by the Rev. Wm. Paxton. D.D. An address was then de- livered by the Hon. Calvin Blythe of Harrisburg. . . . After another hymn hy the choir. the ceremonies closed with the benediction by the Rev. Dr. Schmucker of York. The procession then moved to the court house and was dismissed. The patrons, Clergy, and a large number of ESPONQPW A panoramic view of the campus shortly after the turn present day, but with a closer Strangers and Citizens partook of a public dinner pre- pared for the occasion at the Franklin House? One gets the impression of a nineteenth-century parade in which everyone participated and no one observed! Begun with more enthusiasm than endownment, Get- tysburg shared its home with the Gymnasium and its professors with the Seminary. the Gymnasium and a girls school in Gettysburg. It had no President, as such, al- though Dr. Schmucker as founder acted as its chief executive. The curriculum consisted of classes in intel- lectual and moral science, Greek, German, and Latin, natural science and mathematics. In an attempt to gain a state appropriation with which to expand the college. a petition to the State Legislature was made in 1833. The loss of this bill involved the College in a political battle which had far-seeing compli- cations for both the College and Pennsylvania as well. Simply told, the efforts of ThaddeUS Stevens, then a