Northwestern University - Syllabus Yearbook (Evanston, IL)

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I isfoFgofl lip InsHfuHon. pr IS difficult for the present generation of students to imagine that the Northwestern University was not always such as it ' is now, with its numerous depart- ments, its able corps of professors, its just pride in its past, its active, aggressive present, its well grounded con- fidence in its future. It ir, difficult to tliink of it at a time when it had no past, only a struggling present, and a future which was doubtful, — almost visionary. Yet it is but thirty-five years ago, on the 31st of May, that its founders met to establish an insti- tution which was to be devoted to the ' ' interests of Christian learn- ing. A charter was obtained at the beginning of the next 3 ear, and two years later, its first president, Dr. Clark T. Hinman, was elected. Many were the localities proposed as the site of the new University, but upon the discovery of its present position, it was unanimously agreed to be admirably adapted to the purpose in view. Situated as it was conveniently near the busy metropolis beyond, upon the shores of the beautiful Lake Michigan, skirted with a magnificent grove of primeval oaks, in all its unadorned natural beauty, it presented a scene which no art could rival. Its manifold advantages could not but commend it to the judgment of the trustees, and accordingly 379 acres were purchased, for which was

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■ ' ■■ - ' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ' -. ■ ■ .».. rppHng. .-.« ' . r. ' vvvvv-.vwv- ' v-. ' vvn. ' w. ' v ITH this volume the Annual appears under a new name, a new form, and an entirel} new management. It has seem ' ed best to its friends to discontinue it as the organ of the Senior Class, and place it in the hands of the Fraternities, believing thus to gain for it a more heart} support, as well as to better insure its permanency and future improvement. It has been the purpose to exclude no one, but rather to give to it the support of the entire University in place of that of one of its smallest classes. Whatever improvements upon the last there may be in this volume, the reader will readily perceive. Wherein improvements can still be made, note and suggest to the next board. Our aim has been to make the volume commend itself by its worth to the student community and to the Alumni as a book of reference, while we have attempted to add such features as, we hope, will make the work attractive to the casual observer as a Colleo e Annual. i i f

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given $25,000. Thirty acres of this now form a college campus which any might envy us, while other portions still form a part of the University property. A faculty consisting of Abel Stevens, W. D. Godman and H. S. Noyes, was soon elected, and two courses, the classical and scientific, were arranged. The year 1855 is marked as the year of its formal opening, and furthermore, by two important amendments to its charter — the first, prohibit- ing the sale of intoxicating liquors within four miles of its walls ; the second, exempting University property from taxation. However, previous to this formal opening, the death of Dr. Hin- man had occurred, and the Rev. Dr. Randolph S. Foster, who afterward became Bishop Foster, was appointed as his successor. The first freshman class consisted of ten j oung men, five of whom were graduated in ' 59. The building then occupied by the University was a small wooden structure now known as the Preparatory. In 1860, Dr. Noyes became President, holding this position six years. He was succeeded in ' 69 by Dr. O. E. Haven, and it was at that time that the rapid growth and increasing influence of the Institution made a larger building necessary. As a result. Uni- versity Hall, an elegant, massive, stone building was erected, dedi- cated and opened for the use of students. In June, 1873, the Evanston College for Ladies, the successor of the Northwestern Female College, became the property of and a department in the University, under the name of the Woman ' s College of the North- western University, and five women were elected to its board of trustees. Dr. C. H. Fowler became President in the preceding year, which was further signalized by the connection of the Union College of Law with the University. Upon the resignation of Dr. Fowler in ' 76, Dr. Oliver Marcy became Acting-President, continu- ing in that position until 1881, when it was filled by Dr. Cummings. The one thousand students of the present year form a striking contrast to the original ten of the first Freshman Class. In the Preparatory School, the growth of the Institution has been especially marked. From the one principal and one assistant of ' 59, seven assistants are now required ; 50 pupils have become 250. How in- significant the faculty of 1855, compared with that formidable body