Goucher College - Donnybrook Fair Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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women's colleges of that period. For thirty years her brilliant mind worked to improve Gaucher. Dr. Thaddeus P. Thomas can not be forgotten either. He was always an uncompromising advocate of womants The residence balls were named sufrage, a true pioneer in that field, from Norse mythology. and he laid much stress upon the value of service. Still another was Dr. Bacon. How- ever, they are but three of that early administration, fertile in intellect, foresight, and devotion, who created Gaucher College-hhthe other spiritual Gaucher built not of bricks and mortar btft of the human lives that have come under the influence of its teachings. In 1908 Dr. Gaucher gave up the presidency. He was given the title of President Emeritus by the Trustees, in recognition of his invaluable ser- vices. Then came the darkest days in the Collegets history. Academically the College ranked high but financially it was deeply burdened. Dr. Gaucher hadpersonally met a growing deficit each year, and Dr. Eugene Allen Noble, his successor, did his best to cope with the growing debt, but W h 44? - .. H J; e after three years he resigned, having , l a . WE??? q lh I 3 ?lypl' publicly stated Just how desperate Dr. Gilman delivered the inaugural l ' ll. h . address,November 13. 1888. e w ' IH g ' .4 the financml state Of the College 4 h Neal. 6 was. Several significant changes made during his term, however, left

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foundii Dr. and Mrs. Hans Froelicher, both of whom were to play such a vital part in Goucher's history. Dr. John Blackford Van Meter resigned his Baltimore pastorate to serve as Dean. His demands for the highest possible scholastic standards were most rigid and, reflected throughout the entire faculty, laid the foundation for Goucheris future high academic rating. The formal opening and inaugural ceremonies were held November 13, 1888, with President Gilman of the Johns Hopkins University delivering the opening address. This was the occasionfifty years ago to which Gaucher owes its golden anniversary celebration of this past fall, October 14, 15, 16, 1938. In 1890 Dr. Hopkins resigned as president. He had guided the 75 1 2 m. A 11,, I h young college through all of its early dificulties and preferred to devote his eforts to the study of The toll gate at Merryman's Lane, the classics rather than to the 5 1885. e V L. 7 . , ,A . cares of the executive ofice. He ' e f: J h 151203,; s was made the chairman of the Latin Department. Dr. Gaucher succeeded him. Helping now to enable the Woman's College to obtain the highest degree of excellency in the scholastic realm were three members of the early faculty. Each is known and loved by Gaucher students the world over. It would be impossible to forget Dr. Lilian Welsh-a graduate of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania-Goucher's professor of anatomy, phy- siology, hygiene, and physical training. Under her supervision the depart- ment of physical training became so developed along the lines and ideas of the Swedish and English systems of gymnastics that it was unique among

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their stamp upon the College. One was the changing of the name from The Womanis College of Baltimore'i to Gaucher College,u partly as a tribute to Dr. and Mrs. Gaucher in recognition of their services and many gifts, and partly to give a more definite name. Another was the changing of the college seal. Instead of the triangle a shield bearing the emblems symbolic ofpurity, womanhood and Maryland was placed within the circle. Dr. Van Meter at this time served as acting president. During this term the million dollar campaign to lift the College from its debt was launched. Dr. Van Meter and Dr. Welsh were the leaders of this plan to avert the impending jateethe closing of Goucher's doors-unless sujficient q funds were pledged by a certain - time. The last week of the cam- paign was one of great anxiety, and also the occasion of two impor- tant rallies held in Fordis Theatre and in McCoy Hall at Johns Hop- kins University. At the former a letter from President Wilson was read by his daughter Jessie, class of '08, and at the latter President M. Cary Thomas of Bryn Mawr addressed the college women of Baltimore. Both meetings stressed the valuable services of Gaucher to city and state from the standpoint of education, health and scholarship-all of which would be lost if funds were not available. The merits of its wide recognition were cited. The significance of its ranking as a class I institution in the Bureau of Education at Washington, though only 25 years old, was stressed, and attention called to the fact that Gaucher also possessed the Beta of Maryland Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, J essie Wilson read her father's message at Fordis Opera House. 1913.