Ripon College - Crimson Yearbook (Ripon, WI)

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crm: 1131 T crf'iS'f1e 1024 CRIMSEATIUQT T T mn 11221. a rival town, and as never before, a eonliict arose between the old and the new towns. Gradually and happily, however, the new town, called Ripon, outdis- taneed Ccreseo, and when the post olnce was moved from Ceresco to Ripon the old connnunity appeared entirely exterininated. Then in 1858, Ueresco merged into and became a part of Ripon, and a charter was obtained lfroni the state for the city of Ripon to exist as a niunicipal corporation. The name, Cereseo, remains, however, to designate that part ot the city which lies in the valley. The Founding and Growth of Ripon College N the year 1851, two years after the construction ot the first building in what is now the city of Ripon, work was begun on the institution out olfwhich Ripon College has since grown. Money was extremely scarce for carrying out this project of providing the new town with the opportunities jlfor higher educa- tion, and only the pioneer spirit of good will which the supporters of the eiifort evinced kept the construction work progressing. Such was the urgent need for funds at one stage, that Captain P. Mapes, leader ol? the enterprise, gave outright his gold watch to advance the work. ln recognition of a financial subscription by William S. Brockway at a time when lack of inoney threatened a long delay in building, the institution was named Brockway College in his honor. Three years later, by act ot the legisla- ture, the nanie was changed to Ripon College. Twelve years elapsed before the first college classes were formed in 1863 under the administration of the Reverend Mr. NVillian1 E. Merriman. During this period the institution was a preparatory school instructing in all the higher English branches and in those classical studies necessary to tit young nien for college. For several years East Building, only partially l completed, was the only build- ' ' ing on the eainpus. The prog- ress of the school was iinped- ed, not only by eontinuec' financial embarrassment, but by difficulties in obtaining board and suitable rooms for ihe students. This need was so great that in 1855 the board of trustees voted to erect as speedily as possible a dormitory building. This building, which was for many years known as Middle Col- lege, is the present Snlifh hal' Ceresco Octagon Schoolhouse . 1 1 L.-ueffe, - + if 'E im -rs 6 if my can M 3+Q,gge+ i Page II

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tang am-. dfiifilfhe E024 Cazmsomla as it 1 4 I Home af F0uricriiz's Here for six years, happy in the enthusiastic faith that they were toiling for the welfare of the race, This body of men, women, and children worked and planned, and watched their ideals grow into realizations. And though in this projeet as in every other, enthusiasm came gradually to wear off, fortunately the wisdom of guiding minds directed the company into paths of prosperity and good citizenship. One of the leaders otf the connnunistie society expressed The gist of the history ot this experimental period when he said: Socially it was a. failure, but financially it was a great success. The Phalanx was composed of good souls whose ideals during the experimen- tal period were of the highest, and who after The dissolution came, remained ,in the township to aidxin uplifting The community and in carrying on the projects which have made Ripon what iT is now. 'l'hese guiding lights were noble men and women, upon whose work the superstructure of Ripon now stands, better and stronger beeause of The worl: that they did here over seventy-eight years ago. lt was in 1845 that the ill itfate of the utopian connnunity was decided. David P. Mapes, a robust man, itull of vigor of thought, and as versatile as he was robust, settled in the township which the Phalanx had named Cereseo. Mapes saw the possibilities ol' water power and consequent manufacturing in the many unsettled acres on the hillside just east ot the settlement. There the destroyer of peaee, as the Phalanx ealled him. built a home for himself and tilled The soil all about him, to the best advantage. Strite arose between the social experimenters and the genius Mapes. tor The possession of this traet of land which the latter was now occupying. with a resulting agreement between the pioneers and the owner ot the tract, Governor Horner, of Green Bay, where- by at town of large proportions was to be started. Accordingly, in the same year preparations for a new township were begun. Immediately the Phalanx planned w-225. pm rm 1 mtg, Q a Page 70

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f'1IC6 hEQiQ724 Ci11Ms0NIAQiff1swc Tl1e real beginning of The 11101211 illld inTellecTual leadership which the college new CO1llJl121111dS was marked by the CO1l1l11Q,' of The Reverend Williani E. Merri- 1112111 into The presidency. Within 21 year both buildings were completed and furnished, a11d filled wiTl1 students. Another almost miraculous aeco111plisl1111e11t of The first year of Dr. hTCl'1'l1ll?,ll17S ad111inistraTion was the complete payment of Tl1e 111Ol'T1g'E1gGS on the college property. ' -V The years following were inarked by great difficulties and inany reverses ill the growtlrof the institution. ln sjoite of thesey the C'O1lSfl7l1Cil,011 of a IICXV college building, 11ow NVest I-lall, was begun in l367.' 1 -- ' In l86S occurred The Hrst i111porTanT ,i11eide11t intl1edevelop111ent of the college. The president made applieatioii' To The iifoij The 'Promotion of Collegiate illlii Theological lCd11caTie11 inThe for irecog11itio11 and endorse- inent, and The application was acTed upon f11yo1'ably., Tlie' sehoolwas The11 aided in ifaising its scholastic standard kllld also in llw1,C1fCltlSl'1Tg l:ES LCl1dOXV1l1Cl1i-, making possible more extensive science laboratoriesjaiid 111o11111i1- 'courses of studies offered, In 1874, President Merriinan was g'l'Zl1llCLi.-il.ii.'ZlYC'4O'ii absence for six 11101113118 because of ill health, but as he was sTill llll.iliJiliX-i,O,Q'QllflTlgLlC'l1lS duties at the e11d of that time, Professor Merrell was Zl1J1DOll1i1CClJ'l1lS successor.. During PresidenT Merrell 's ad111i11istraTio11 The general policy of Tl1e college as to intellectual and nioral aiins, as well as To ccononiy, was inaintained. Large additions were inade To the library, Zllltl three 11ew buildings were added: a laboratory building, Bart- leTt Hall, a11d Dawes Cotiage. East College was rebuilt. Tl1e need of an aTl1leTie field was felt urgreiitly byboTl1 faculty and students, buT the i11iTial 111ove111ent to secure These grounds was inade by H11 aluinnus, Mr. John G. Ingalls. To supply This need in 1988, about 18 acres of ground was XV , Upper Campus A N5 501 13 gm 5 Q04 56156. H- -sss as 1 1 1 11 . 1 1 A DCU 1339 M xr ' H nan rm ...--sg? ' Page 12