Olivet College - Oaks Yearbook (Olivet, MI)

Page 28 text:

The first term opened in the following December, with nine students and two instructors Near the close of the year the partially completed chapel burned, but by much self-sacrifice and effort a second was begun. Gradually the school grew. In 1846 the legislature refused to grant the college a charter. During that sam-e year the first catalogue was issued, the number of students having i1 fased to sev- enty-two lt was in 1848 that a charter was granted, under the less pretentious name of Olivet lnstitutefl Two years later Rev. M. W. Fairfield assumed the duties of Pastor and Principal. Not until 1859 did the school receive its charter as Olivet College. That September the College opened with the Faculty consisting of five members, and classes and courseswere more distinctly organized. The second chapel burned and again willing hearts contributed' much from their little toward the necessary building. Ladies' Hall was com- pleted and the outlook appeared much more hopeful. New friendsiarose for the College. The Commencement Day of 'uf .R .....1.:...., ,h......... -f A' X l -5 . f J. CC CC 1866 witnessed the laying of the corner-stone of Parsons Hall and in two years its completion was effected. The financial difficulties of 1873 brought new trouble to the school and sheseemed scarcely able to survive. ' The election of President Butterfield in 1875 seemed the beginning of better and brighter days. The work steadily progressed. 4 ' The College received many generous contribu- tions, by means of which all debts were canceled, a valuable organ purchased and the home of the President built. In 1882 Shipherd Hall was burned and rebuilt. A long-felt need was supplied by the erection in 1885 of Mather Hall, devoted to science. ' 8 At our last Commencement was dedicated Burrage Hall, complete' in its pleasant reading rooms, furnished with the Hs ly I 2 7 r K. X. 5

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Lsffcmz of Ofnfct Goffcgc It was 1n the dark wmter days of 1844 when the band of p1lgr1n1s numbermg th1rty n1ne souls w1th Father Sh1pherd as leader made the1r long journey from Oberhn to the pres ent s1te of Ohvet Father Shlpherd the founder of Oberhn seemed to rece1ve the D1v1ne 1nsp1rat1on and comm1ss1on l1ke to that of the holy men of old to go 1nto a place wh1ther he should be led and there establ1sh an 1nst1tut1on second to Oberl1n 1n 1tS purpose of educatmg and upl1ft1ng the young The journey was attended by many d1fficult1es and much wear1 ness They were bladly rece1ved by the few settlers I would seem that the1r strong hearts must have faltered when they saw almost unbroken forests so lately deserted by the lnd1ans and reahzed how great was the1r task deserted cab1ns Work was at once begun The first few months were spent 1n clearmg away forests plantmg corn and preparmb lumber Then s1ckness came upon them and the1r leader was taken away The creek overflowed 1ts banks Half were tempted to abandon the enterpr1se the rema1n1ng few contmued the work 6 . . . . , . - . 7 . , . 7 . V. . - . . . F . 7 . , . Of ' ' . t . 7 . . . They found shelter for themselves in the two or three . . . 7 . . G V. V . .

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ft llllh of The much llv the l the '1l0gue 0 set. under years lf and barter Dened S and hapel their com- New ay of sons The iool the dily bu- ble ln ielt H tll, ll, he latest and best periodicals and the library of eighteen thou- sand volumes. Here the student findsdesired quietness and a growing interest is evinced in the direction of reading. At this time also was dedicated Adelphic Hall and next Com- mencement will be held the dedication of the no less beauti- ful Phi Alpha Bi Hall, the home of the brother society. In all departments has the College developed with almost miraculous rapidity. The scientific branches, indeed, seem to be fused with new life and to justly call the close attention of the students. The Conservatory of Music, under a most efficient director, offers the best of instruction. Old Colonial is now transformed into a pleasant, well-furnished Gymna- sium. Competent instructors have been secured anld ,classes organized which both gentlemen and ladies are required to attend. The number of students has steadily increased until there are now enrolled three hundred and seventy-eight. While many have been the improvements, yet its rapid growth require still many others. Olivet's friends are look- ing to see at no distant time a new church, a new Conserva- tory building, an Observatory and still other improvements to be made to meet the t-growing demand.. What is Oli- vetts future can only be imagined from its rapid progress in the past. It has seemed to be ever blessed by the hand of an over-ruling Providence, and has been brought through many dark days to its grand present and still much more promising future.