Gettysburg College - Spectrum Yearbook (Gettysburg, PA)

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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

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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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lawyer in Gettysburg. were responsible not only for the success of the college in winning an $18,000 grant, but also in assuring for Pennsylvania a system of free schools. With part of this appropriation the college purchased a tract of land, a little more than six acres, from Thad- deus Stevens, on which was begun in 1836 a three-story building to house the college. The preparatory depart- ment was housed on the first Hoar, and the president of the college resided 0n the second. The students themselves erected the second building to appear on the campus. Dedicated in 1847, Linnaean Hall, fronting parallel with Old Dorm. was designed by a professor and to a large extent erected by students. The building was devoted to classrooms and the exhibi- tion of scientific matters, at the time one of the finest collections in the country. Such extracurricular life as there was for the students The Rev. Michael Jacobs tl808-187li9 Professor of mathematics and general science, is remembered for his teaching career and service to the Church as well as for his experiments in preserving food by canning which he originated in America and for his account of the Battle of Gettysburg, first published in 1864 and popular until after the turn of the century. Thaddeus Stevens, loved and hated in his day and a controversial figure among historians, was active in the Pennsylvania legislature. He secured the $18,000 appropriation with which Pennsylvania Hall was built and served as a trustee of the college from 1834 until his death in 1867, Stevens Hall was named for him in appreciation of his efforts and contributions to the school. This painting was made by Jacob Eicholtz, in Stevensi earlier days and presented to the College by a close friend. Old Dormis appearance in the back- ground was meant to typify Stevensi great interest in education. of the century reveals a shady campus similar to the look changes can be noticed. revolved about two literary societies twhose tongue- twisting names Phrenakosmian and Philomathean were invariably shortened to Phrena and Philot and the Linnaean Association. Each of the literary societies had rooms on the top floor of Old Dorm for their meetings, and the Linnaean group, of course, had its hall. The first fraternity on campus, Phi Kappa Psi, was founded secretly in 1855, and added some extracurricular life to that Of the societies. Fraternities, which 510wa grew in number, did not acquire houses until much later in the century. When the first on the campus was erected in 1882, it was also the first in Pennsylvania. The Civil War days were among the most stirring in the colleges career. The cupola of Old Dorm served as an observation post for both sides in the confiict; it was also a hospital for Confederate soldiers after the area of the campus fell within Confederate lines. One of the professors was a keen observer of the battle, and his