Heidelberg University - Aurora Yearbook (Tiffin, OH)

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In the afternoon, beginning at two o'clock, the festivities were continued. After prayer offered by Rev. H. M. Herman, D. D., of Miamisburg, Ohio, the Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D. D., LL.D., President of Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa., delivered the special oration of the occasion on the topic, L' The College for the Times. All these addresses were eminently able productions, and worthy of the important event in the history of the institu- tion. Thus furnished with this excellent equipment of a new building, so well adapted to the purposes of a higher education for our youth, Heidelberg entered upon a new era in her eventful history. Having thus sketched the narrative of the events which led to the erection of the main buildings, the next important step taken in the progress of the institution that challenges our attention was the relinquishment of its charter constituting it a college. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees held on the 18th and 19th of March, 1890, the articles of incorpora- tion of Heidelberg College were amended, enlarging the purpose of the institution and changing its corporate name to Heidelberg University, and the title of Board of Trus- tees to that of 'K Board of Regents. These changes were legalized, as certified by the Secretary of State at Columbus, Ohio, on the 28th day of March, 1890. According to the original provisions of the amended articles of incorporation, the following departments were established, viz. 1- Q 1. The Literary, which was to include the College proper, and the Academy. 2. The Conservatory of Music. 3. The Commercial School. 4. The Department of Art, 5. The Polytechnic Department. It was also ordered that other departments may be established by the Board of Regents whenever, in the judgment of said Board, they may be needed. It may be stated in this connection, that the Polytechnic Department, after an exper- iment of two years, was abandoned. , T ' The University, as constituted under the provisions of its present charter, now includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Academy, the Conservatory of Music, the Art Department, the Commercial School, the School of Pedagogy, and the School of Oratory and Art of Expression. The institution has been fortunate in coming into possession of quite a respectable col- lection of geological, mineralogical, and other valuable specimens of the physical world. The venerable Rev. R. Good, D. Sc., during his long service as Professor of the Natural Sciences, had succeeded in collecting a large number of these curiosities. Friends and patrons of the institution had kindly presented others. But, during the year 1890 two large and valuable museums were added to the collection by Revs. Drs. I. I. Swander and John Kost. To house and properly exhibit the enlarged museum it became necessary to erect a special building This was accomplished during the year 1893, when a neat and attractive structure was erected on the campus, north by east of the old college building. The build- ing was so constructed at the same time as to include a large' and commodious room for gymnasium purposes, Which, in order to keep pace with modern educational facilities, had become a necessityi, During the following year, through the munificent generosity of Regent Qnow President of the Boardj Geo. F. Bareis, Esq., of Canal Winchester, Ohio, the gymnasium was excellently furnished with suitable apparatus for the accommodation of the students in physical training. Since that date a Physical Director has been employed, and regular instruction has been given in this important branch of education. Heidelberg has been fortunate in having literary organizations among the students, which, in every well-equipped college, or university, prove such a valuable factor in acquir- ing a knowledge of parliamentary law, and in developing the native powers of the soul in

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April IO, 18835 on the 24th of July, 1883, the committee decided to employ Messrs. Peters it Burns, of Dayton, Ohio, as architects to draft plans, specifications, and details com- pleteg and on September 17, 1884, the contract for the erection of the building was awarded to Messrs. Chamberlain 85 King of Tiffin, for 546,558.85 Ground was broken for the new building on September 24, 1884, but the corner-stone was not laid until April 22, 1885. The total cost of the building eventually amounted to about f5o,ooo. The Board of Trustees, by formal action, paid a graceful recognition to Rev. Geo. W. XVilliard, D. D., for his faithful, untiring, and successful labors in raising funds to meet the financial requirements and obligationsfl The architectural style of the building externally is in plan and structure modern Gothic. The entire structure, including the wings, is 141 feet in length and IO8 feet in width. The height of the main roof, from the ground to its crest, measures 70 feet, while the altitude of the tower is 132 feet. Great caution was exercised by the committee to have good material used, first-class workmen employed, and thus they succeeded in having erected a substantial, symmetrical, and commodious edifice. The building contains twelve recitation roomsg one library and reading roomg one art roomg one Conservatory of Music room, four society halls, a chapel, together with nine ante-rooms and closets. The chapel is 46 feet by 68 feet in dimension, 24 feet in height, and with its gallery, has a seating capacity for 750 persons. It is neat and attractive, one of the finest apartments of its kind in the state, and bears the name of the first President of the institution, S. S. Rickly, Esq., who has taken much pleasure in furnishing the room. With reference to the entire structure, the chairman of the Building Committee, in making his Hnal report to the Board of Trustees, truthfully said: On the whole, our co-operative labors have been crowned with success. XVe have a substantial and attractive college edifice. It contains space enough to meet all the requirements for recitation, library, cabinet, apparatus, laboratory, and literary societiesg and also ample room in every respect for a large number of students, who may desire to obtain a thorough education, and rise to high and noble attainments in the sphere of letters and moralsf' A chemical laboratory, so important in scientific experiments and demonstrations, is placed in the basement, and fully answers the purpose for which it is designed. The central rotunda is 34 by 48 feet, extend- ing through the three stories, lighted from above by a magnificent skylight, and from the first floor measures 68 feet i11 height. The location of the building was well chosen, and meets with general approval. The building stands on the triangular point of the western side of the college campus, having the old building to the rear, and fronting to the west with the city of Tiiiin in the fore- ground. Situated on a commanding eminence, this temple of learning, with its massive tower, presents an attractive and imposing appearance. On Wednesday, june 16th, 1886, the dedication of this new building of Heidelberg College took place. This was apparently a glad day to which friends and patrons, professors and students had long looked forward with joyous anticipation. The festivities of the day consisted of two sessions. The morning exercises began at ten o'clock. After appropriate music and a prayer offered by Rev. Samuel B. Yockey, of Xenia, Ohio, the President of the Board of Trustees, Rev. Isaac H. Reiter, D. D., delivered the introductory address. The Rev. S. C. Goss, A. M., the present chancellor-elect of the institution, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, then received the building in an appropriate address. The venerable Rev. Geo. W. Williard, D. D., the President of the College, then delivered the address of dedication, at the close of which he solemnly in the name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, set it apart from all mere common or ordinary use, and dedicated it to the purpose for which it had been erected. The Rev. Dr. Reiter, President of the Board, then offered the consecratory prayer, which closed the exercises of the morning.

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elocution and oratory. The Excelsior Literary Society was organized in ISSIQ The Heidelberg Literary Society in 1859. These societies have been from the start, for the benefit of gentlemen students only of the collegiate department. On the 14th of March last the Heidelberg Society celebrated its forty-iirst anniversary by publicly rendering a literary program in Rickly Chapel, and on the 23d of March the Excelsior Society celebrated its forty-ninth anniversary with a literary program in said chapel. The Hesperian Literary Society for ladies only, who are students in the institution, was organized April 3d, 1889. Each of the above named societies has a large and beautifully furnished hall on the third floor of tl1e new University building. Mention should also be made that among the gentle- men students of the Academy an organization known as The lfVashington Irving Literary Society has, for some years, been successfully maintained. The literary societies ofthe institution have been important factors in promoting the intellectual growth of their members, and in fostering ability in debate and public speaking. Those, who have been active members, since leaving the institution have proven their edi- cient training in filling varied important and responsible positions in life. On the lists of their honorary membership may be found many of the leading literary men and women of the country. On April 14111, 1881, a society was organized by the students themselves and entitled The Young People's Christian Association of Heidelberg College, which had for its main purpose the fostering of Christian principles, and the development of Christian life not only among its own members, but among the student body. On February 16, 1882, by the adoption ofthe constitution of the State College Young Men's Christian Association, the above mentioned Young People's Christian Association was merged into the present organiza- tion known as the HY. M. C. A. of Heidelberg. On the erection of the new college build- ing, the Board of Regents generously allotted rooms on the second Hoor of said building for the use of the Association. These rooms have been handsomely furnished by the Associa- tion, and are used by it in its weekly meetings. In 1886, the Y, NV. C. A. of Heidelberg University was organized. This organization also holds weekly meetings. The influence exerted by these Chris- tian Associations among the student body for Christ and His Church, has been very great. Many a student through their guidance and help has here learned the way of salvationf, Many who have been exposed to temptation, through the counsel and fellowship of the Associations have been protected against spiritual foes, the weak have been strengthened: the desponding have been encouraged-g and characters have been built up in the Christian life. The Authorities of the institution recognize the inestimable value of these Christian Associations in helping to carry forward the responsible work of Christian Education. Mention must also be made of the founding of several Prizes as incentives to the stu- dents of the institution for the cultivation of the graces of English composition, rhetoric and oratory. In 1888 the Rev. Madison C. Peters, D. D., then of Philadelphia, Pa., generously offered to give annually 320 in gold to the student of the graduating class having the best production as to matter and manner, whether read or spoken, whereupon the Board of Trustees, at its annual meeting of said year, accepted the offer and established the Prize, known as The Madison C. Peters Prizef' In 1893 a slight modification, with the consent of the founder, was made in the conditions required for awarding this Prize. The privi- -lege of contesting for it was changed from the Senior to the junior Class, and in this way the occasion known as the junior Contest for the Madison C. Peters Prize, came to be introduced into the exercises of commencement week. The Scott F. Hershey Prize of 510 in gold was established in 1895 by the Rev. Scott F. Hershey, Ph. D., LL. D., of Boston, Mass., an alumnus of the class of 1875. This Prize is