Knox College - Gale Yearbook (Galesburg, IL)

Page 15 text:

THE GALE NINETEEN-TEN I I Q' ff PRliSIIlICN'l' TIIOM.-xs NlCCLELLAND K N O X COLLEGE 11 E N D O W M E N 'r

Page 14 text:

K N O X conusce 10 B N D O W M E N T THE GALE NINETEEN-TEN MENTION or MEN O review of the campaign for a quarter of a million that did not record the special services of President McClelland and Professor Grifhth would be complete or just. To the former's far-sighted business judgment, courage, and faith in the worth of the cause and in the mettle of Knox friends and alumni were due the determination to inaugurate the campaign during the year 1908. To t'he exhaustless enthusiasm and untiring energy of both men were due, in large part, the splendid response made by Knox's constituency to the appeal to stand by the college in the crisis that was faced. Dr. McClelland carried the burden of re- sponsibility which always comes to the leader of a great enterprise, and with it all was tireless in carrying out the actual work of the campaign. Professor Griffith came into close personal touch with the hundreds of alumni and former students of the institution whose earnest efforts and generous gifts in her behalf gave to the campaign its deepest significance. Both men gave years of their lives in the exhausting labor and intense nervous strain of the final months: both of them, un- doubtedly, will see rich reward in the increased usefulness possible to Knox in the era to come. To each the institution owes a lasting debt of gratitude. Knox was ably served in the campaign also by Kellogg D. McClelland, '05. The head of a man of forty combined with the enthusiastic energy of youthf' was the tribute paid 'him at the height of the battle by a prominent co-worker. Mr. McClelland's knowledge of Knox people, Knox tradition-his harmony with the spirit of the college, together with his keen business judgment and systematic Work in planning and pushing the campaign, made his services invaluable to Knox.

Page 16 text:

K N OX comms 12 E N D O W M E N T THE GALE NINETEEN-TEN A CHICAGO VIEWPGINT By Ciiixurmzs L. jonNsoN President of the Chicago Alumni Association I l HERE were nearly two thousand con- tributors in all. What wonderful promise in that! VVhat breadth, what life, what hope. A great tree is strong in storm and crisis as it has roots broadly extended which 2l1'C alive and in service-emphasis on the last words. Knox College for Lin- coln was not merely a banner on the east wall of Old Main. lt was at once the dec- laration and the definition of her standard. lt was the collective voice of her founders out of the past, and of her defenders, and of her loyal sons and daughters who were everywhere, and it was potent in a crisis. Again this collective voice from every- where has spoken in the new quarter of a million saying that the material foundation of the college shall be strengthened, and in this great breadth of contribution and co- operation and intelligent, self-sacrificing interest resides peculiar assurance and hope of the future. Everyone rejoices. and be- lieves that the event is more than an inci- dent in the life of the college-rather that it founds an era, that Old Knox is now safe and that accretions to her endowment of which this one is only a prophecy, will surely follow. Assuredly in an event so full of benefit that which was good also in the individual making. And the way of this is not far to testimony that it had rarely enjoyed such an a membership of close to two hundred and and blessing to the college there was sense for all who participated in its seek. The Chicago Association bears awakening. It discovered that it had fifty graduates and former students, that few other colleges have so many here or such a number of eminent ones and that there is great strength and opportunity for usefulness, and self-help as well, in this enviable position. And it rejoiced in the opportunity of service. With gladsome promptitude it organized and parceled out the work. Everybody had an opportunity to give. And there were gifts that were hard for the givers and sacrifices of time and comfort for the workers, but all rejoiced in a great reward --that reward which follows upon the glad subordination of the minor to the major and expands as the altruistic promptings of mind and heart are zealously pursued. The channel was a rare one through which to register in that service which ennobles and nplifts and inspires. And it was a convincing illustration in- deed of both the fact and the power of such an inspiration to see committees self- constituted and for the love alone of their high purpose earnestly facing the blasts of that stormiest day and night of February at the last that they might roll up another thousand before the expiration of the time limit. This took some courage. No matter whether they succeeded or how well. Such fidelity of endeavor always succeeds, and has in its own increase its own reward. ln manifold ways it did us good and this may be recorded as a Chicago viewpoint.