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

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Macalester College, 1891, taken from Summit Avenue east of Snelling. but the death of his patron and the Civil War interfered with these plans. Returning from the war, he renewed his efforts to establish a college of the New England type in Minnesota, and won the support of Mr. Charles Macales- ter of Philadelphia, who offered him financial backing for the undertaking, convinced of the value of a broad non-sectarian Christian college. Accordingly, in 1874, Macalester College was chartered. Macalester became a synodical school in 1880, in which year Dr. Neill sent in his resignation as president. Winslow House had been sold when the college was moved to St. Paul in 1881, and the money obtained was to be used in the purchase of land and the erection of buildings on the new location. Plans' for a huge building had been outlined, but the plans did not materialize rapidly and for a while there was but one small building in the big Corn field west of Snelling Avenue. This build- ing contained classrooms, the kitchen, dining-room and living quarters for both faculty and students. The formal opening of Macalester as a Presbyterian college took place one late summer day in 1888. The chapel and classrooms were crowded with interested Presbyterians from the Twin Cities and other points throughout the state who came to witness the dedication 9

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Macalestefs first graduating class, 1899. Dr. James Wallace, who represents the many people who math- saurihccs that Macalester might remain open. Dr. Edward D. Neill, founder and first president of Macalester. The charter for the Baldwin School was obtained in 1853 by Dr. Neill after Mr. lVl. W. Baldwin, a wealthy Philadelphian, had replied favorably to a letter from Dr. Neill stating his interest in the establishment of a prepara- tory school in St. Paul. Its curriculum consisted mainly of courses in English, French, German, Latin and piano and vocal work. Among the rules and regulationsw of the institution were these: HStudents will take their meals with the President and his family, and will be expected to observe the usages which prevail among decent people. Without permission students will not be allowed to leave the building after supper. Dr. Neill hoped to develop the school into a university,

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I . ...M 9. .1 L1 l 9k -Rides '-if WE 2' A rt! 'fs 1., ,,,,, . A , .. , r l , A - iff - r 1., r f ,: . , A Akai I f,, M. , A ,,,: 'SQL :ff ,1J, Qfirili' :f'f ., 5 .' I -f-, '--,, - -, -'f- The East Wing, 1886. ln the foreground are the children of Macalester Pro- fessor, Charles Forbes. of the first Presbyterian college in Minnesota. Dr. Thom- as A. McCurdy, the newly selected president, led the procession of trustees and faculty members. At the rear came an erect, white haired man who delivered the open- ing address at the dedication of the college he had dreamed of for more than thirty years. Speaking with simplicity, Dr. Neill said, 'LThirty-two years ago the speaker delivered the address at the open- ing of the Baldwin School . . . designed to be the germ of a college. By the American college is meant the New England college, its object to instruct youths in the arts and sciences, who, through the blessing of God may be fitted for public employment both in the church and state .... The object of a college is not to promote an aesthetic or a medieval culture, its aim is to develop harmoniously the body, the intellect, and the affections. . . . There is a good time coming, l believe, for Macales- ter College. As yet it is the day of small things, but the trustees have no reason to be discouraged. lf they walk by faith, they will hear the still, small voice saying: 'ln quietness and confidence is thy strength'. The new college prospered just as its founder had predicted. The enrollment increased, and soon the halls were filled with serious young men who in lighter mo- ments indulged in raids on the pantry and for whom 'fan occasional night-shirt parade accompanied by unearthly noises. . . furnished a pastime of extraordinary de- lightfw In 1893, the year of the death of its founder, Macalester became a co-educational college because of financial reasons, against the strong opposition of Dr. Neill. ,F Henry Funk-History of Macalester College 10 lj 5' From 1895 to 1900, Macalester had a struggling exist- ence. Donations and bequests, which had been expected to supplement an endowment were not forthcoming, and so annually increasing deficits resulted. Heroic efforts were made to wipe out the debt in 1892, and enough pledges had been secured to liquidate all obligations when the depression of 1893 occurred. Subscriptions became uncollectable and Macalester seemed hopelessly lost. uThree presidents in succession failed to save the college. Then a group of loyal professors consecrated their lives to the task of saving Macalester, and demonstrated anew to the world the conquering power of an unfaltering Christian faith. They were lead by Macalester's new president, Dr. James Wallace, who accepted the office in 1894. M Edwin Kagen-James Wallace of Macalester A classroom on first floor of Old Main, 1892.