Knox College - Gale Yearbook (Galesburg, IL)

Page 18 text:

K N O X COLLEGE 14 E N D O W M E N T THE GALE NINETEEN-TEN THE GALESBURG CAMPAIGN By Rev. J. PERCIVAL I'IUGE'1' most inspiring and enheartening part of the Endowment Campaign was that which had as its object the enlisting of the support of the citizens of Galesburg. This was most successfully accomplishedg so successfully that the whole city was stirred, genuine interest and enthusiasm aroused, many contribu- tions received, and the college entrenched more firmly than ever in the confidence and affection of the people. From the first it was certain that there would be large gifts from the mem- bers of the Board of Trustees residing in Galesburg. But it was doubly important that the general public should be enlisted. In the first place, it was certain that without liberal contribution by the city of Galesburg the total amount would not be raised. This was due, in part, to the fact that all contributions from every available source were imperatively needed if the whole amount were to be raised within the time limit, equally due to the further fact that it was known that many large gifts from non-residents would not be forthcoming if it should seem that the people of the home city were not deeply and genuinely interested in the cola lege and its future. In the second place, the financial campaign, important as it was, could not then be considered the largest issueg nor can its success be counted as the greatest gain. The real issue was that of the continued loyalty of this community to its historic college, and the greatest gain the manifestation in such unmistakable terms of an undiminished regard and an ever increasing determination to sustain and support the college as it faces the larger problems of its constantly expanding field and ever enlarging opportunity. For the most exacting could not ask greater manifestation of loyalty or more substantial support than that which was given. At a dinner tendered to the busi- ness men of the city by Mr. Geo. A. Lawrence the local campaign was launched. A business men's committee was appointed consisting of sixteen members. This committee innnediately organized and pushed the local canvass until the day of final success, receiving constant advice and co-operation from President Mc- Clelland, and assisted very greatly by the systematic plans and accurate records provided and kept by Prof. Griffith and Kellogg McClelland. It is impossible within the limits of this article to do justice to the large part contributed by these gentlemen to the success of the work of the committee. The work of this committee was ably seconded and forwarded by a larg: munber of volunteer workers. The loyalty to and love for the college on the part of the people of the city was so constantly and so warmly manifested that solicitation in most cases met with a most ready and willing response. In all, one thousand one hundred and eighty-two contributions were made by residents of Galesburg, ranging in amount from 350.10 to S25,000, and aggregat- ing 588,024.81

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THE GALE NINETEEN-TEN .PROFESSOR 1 l1Lu1,uf:1z'l' E. il1u1fF1'r11 K N OX COLLEGE ,li- 13 E N D O W M E N T

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THE GALE NINETEEN-TEN As the closing day of the campaign drew near the interest became intense. On the morning of the 15th of February 535,000 remained yet to be raised. Some Dart could be counted upon from large givers who had given assurance of their intention to subscribe, but who had not yet actually done so. But the rest must come from Galesburg. All day pledges, large and small, were secured. 1-lour by hour the amount still required grew smaller. llut when the last grand rally brought the friends of the college to Central Church in the evening there was still 37,542 to be raised. The scenes and events of that evening are historic. They will not be for- gotten by any who were there. Songs, cheers, speeches and pledges mingled in strange but stimulating confusion. The Class Scholarships were completed. Other scholarships were founded. Big gifts and little followed each other. The night wore on, but the day was won. For at eleven o'clock President McClelland announced that the s250,ooo had at last been fully pledged. Then, while the big bell in the church tower sent the news ringing over the city, the Galesburg Musi- cal Union sang the Hallelujah Chorus and the New Era for Old Knox had begun. K N 0 X conuzcr: 15 E N D O W M E N T