Irving College - Irvingiana Yearbook (Mechanicsburg, PA)

Page 15 text:

Rev. T. P. Ege, A. M., succeeded to the Presidency. The College continued, under his management, the good work begun by his predecessor. Students in large numbers from many States enjoyed the advan- tages offered. ' Mrs. Mary L. Kessler, A. M., was the third President of the College. Her scholarly accomplishments and long experience as a teacher made this selection a good one. She added to the thoroughness and efficiency for which Irving has ever been noted. ' E. E. Campbell, Ph. D., was elected President in 1891. Under his administration the attendance increased from year to year, until every room was occupied and no more students could be received. In 1893 the hand- some Columbian Hall was erected, which more than doubled the capacity of the College. Again all rooms were illed. Additional lots were purchased and during the Summer of 1901 another building was erected for the accommodation of a rapidly increasing patronage. Never in the history of the College has the attendance been .so great as now. An era of prosperity, of expansion and development is being enjoyed. The corps of instruc- tors is large, the course of instruction is high. The Departments of Music, Art and Oratory are in a most flourishing condition. -15 -

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Qliiainrg nf Elxhing Qfnllege RVING COLLEGE was founded in 1856 by Solomon P. Gorgas, a wealthy and public-spirited citizen of Mechanicsburg. Through his generosity and foresight the first building, commodious, convenient and well equipped, together with ample and beautiful grounds for a campus, was constituted the College, which through half a century has been an ever-increasing blessing to mankind. The Legislature of Pennsyl- vania granted a charter in 1857 conferring all the rights and privileges pertaining to the most favored institu- tions. The College was named Irving, in honor of one of America's most distinguished authors, Washington Irving-who recognized the compliment and honored the College Library with a complete set of his works. He was an interested member of the Board of Trustees of the College until his death. The College began its career most auspiciously under Rev. A. G. Marlatt, A. M., President, who served most faithfully and successfully to the close of his life, january 2, 1865. The nine years of his incumbency inspired the friends of higher education for Women with great confidence in the superior and thorough work done at Irving.

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950 1111111111111 Elgexxg fhnrgzra OLOMON PERRY GORGAS, the founder of Irving College, was born August 3, 1815, in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, and in 1850 he came to Mechanicsburg to live. Mr. 'Gorgas was identified with the interests of Cumberland County for over seventy years, and there were few successful enterprises in his locality in which he did not show an interest. He was the founder and one of the most liberal donors to Irving College, giving the ground for its site, and through life was very liberal in his gifts to it. Mr. Gorgas was one of the founders of a banking company under the firm name of Merkel, Mumma SL Co. In 1864 this bank was rechartered as the First National Bank of Mechanicsburg, with Solomon P. Gorgas. as President. In 1883 it was rechartered and Mr. Gorgas was again made President, which honorable position he held until his death. His memory will long be cherished in this city as one of its most useful and upright business men and as a most highly esteemed citiven.