Macalester College - Quid Nunc Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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pleted and during the same year Rev. Dr. T. A. McCurdy of Wooster, Ohio, was nominated by the Synod and elected by the trustees to direct the in- stitution in its formative period. In November of that same year Dr. Mc- Curdy began to select his faculty, prepare the curriculum and bring the needs of the college to bear upon the Presbyterian constituency. The first cycle of the quarter centennial began on September 16, 1885, when the college doors were opened to the students of the Northwest. On that day neither the founder nor the Synod of Minnesota anticipated the period of gloom that the future held in store for the college. Years of adversity faced the institution, but men of undaunted faith and Christian spirit bore the burdens of these years. The day of opening was most auspicious. A large gathering of friends was present from both cities and the spirit and enthusiasm was not dimmed by the fact that much of the necessary equipment was lacking. Thirty-six students enrolled on the opening day and the-se were divided into three classes, a Freshman college class and two preparatory classes. In 1887 the main building was completed, but the obligations assumed to perfect their plans nearly proved disastrous to the college's existence. Aid had been solicited throughout the state, but at the time the obligations were due, it was not forthcoming. This financial reverse came, and, but for the noble devotion of a few friends, Macalester College would have ceased to exist. In 1890, Dr. McCurdy resigned from the presidential chair and was succeeded by Rev. A. W. Ringland, D. D. in 1892, who remained at the head of affairs until 1894, when he resigned to resume pastoral work. An interval of several years elapsed before a successor to Rev. Dr. Ringland was secured, but finally, against his own wishes Dr. James Wallace, who had been connected with the college in the department of Greek, con- sented to assume the rsponsibility of the presidency. In 1898, the board of trustees was reorganized and a number of busi- men men became new members, among whom we would note especially Mr. R. A. Kirk and R. C. Jefferson, through whose influence, the debt which overshadowed the college was liquidated. After several fruitless attempts an endowment of three hundred thousand dollars were completed in 1909, and the deficit of five thousand dollars was readily met each year. Feeling that the future of the college was secure and the distracting duties of the presidency should be shouldered by a younger man, Dr. James Wallace, much against the wishes of the board of trustees tendered his resignation in 1902, which, however, was not accepted until 1906. Prof. Anderson was then elected Dean of the college for the remainder of the year, when he was elected permanently. On February 12, 1907, the newly elected Dr. Hodgman of Nebraska University assumed the duties of his office. Triumphing over its reverses and inspired by the recent progress Macalester College celebrates the quarter centennial in June, 1910. E. W. J. 14

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History Victory over years of adversity is as the dawning of a new day. Macalester college, although a comparatively young institution having completed its Hrst cycle, its quarter centennial, stands out prominently among institutions of its class by having fought and won a strenuous struggle for existence. It has a history on whose pages have been written and stamped the determination, sacrifice, and enthusiasm of venerable Christian men, whose lives have been moulded into the very foundation oi' the new Macalester of today. The manifold elements that combined to create its fortunes and mis- fortunes, finally leave Macalester today in a position of security where it stands on the threshold of a new, a brighter era. Macalester College was founded by the Rev. Dr. E. D. Neill, first Pres- byterian minister in St. Paul. In the early fifties of the last century, he realized the need of providing educational facilities for the new territory, and in February, 1853, organized an institution called the Baldwin school. Out of the Baldwin school grew the college of St. Paul, which a few years later was changed into the Baldwin University, and in the year 1874 was named anew Macalester College. The name was given in honor of Charles Macalester, who was born of Scotch parentage in 1798, in Philadelphia, Pa,, and who amassed a great fortune. In his early life he moved westward to Cincinnati, Ohio, and en- tered into business. Later he became connected with the Peabody Real Estate and Speculation Company of Chicago, and still later was appointed director of the Government Bank. He then became interested in educa- tional enterprises. In the year 1873 he bequeathed a large building at St. Anthony Falls, known as the Winslow House to Macalester College, which now bears his name. This gift enabled Dr. Neill to lay the foundation of a college for young men after the type of the New England colleges. He organized a board of trustees of the Baldwin school. In 1874 the corporate name of the Bald- win institution was changed to the 'tTrustees of Macalester College by an amendatory act of the legislature, with the provision that the preparatory department should continue to be known as the Baldwin school. Lack of funds retarded the development of the now Macalester College and seeing the necessity of funds, the trustees of this non-sectarian college sought affiliation with the Presbyterians of this state. The movement met with approval in the Synod in 1880. Later in the year 1883, the old Macalester building near the Falls of St. Anthony was sold for forty thousand dollars, and a new building was erected on the present site which had been given to the college by a syn- dicate of the trustees. By June, 1884, the present east wing was com- 13 I

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F LTY Xf K' X if ek Generous and brave, affection, kindness and the sweet offices of love and duty are to him as needful as his daily bread. 15