Simpson College - Zenith Yearbook (Indianola, IA)

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tory from defeat.” He was a man of 37, had served as lieutenant of the 114th Illinois, and been taken prisoner at the battle of Guntown in June, 1864, nearly losing his life in a southern hospital from the effects of a wound in his hip. He had afterwards graduated from Northwestern University at Evanston, and entered the ministry, where he at once took his place in the front ranks. It was at the end of his first year as pastor of the church at Indianola that he was elected president. The position was not an enviable one—the cour- age of the soldier was needed for. the task. On account of the precarious condition of the college, President Berry called the class of 1879 to his room, frankly stated the case, and offered them their credentials if they wished to go to another school to graduate. Upon consideration, they resolved and recorded in their class minutes, that they would stand by the college “as long as there was a plank left to stand on.” All honor to class ’79! The next year, class ’8o considered the advisability of making a change but largely through personal loyalty to President Berry, who was even then dying, they decided to stay. President Berry being taken from us in February, the year was filled out by Edward L. Parks, A. M., B. D., of Northwestern University, whose presidency continued to 1886. Of less commanding appearance than Dr. Burns, he exerted by the dignity and earnestness of his daily life, an in- fluence no less potent. Beyond this we can say that no truer gentle- man, none more earnest in the work of building Christian character, has held a place in our faculty. He labored faithfully for the finan- cial welfare of the school, and succeeded in three years in raising money to pay the debt, then amounting to more than twenty thousand dollars. At the commencement of 1886 he resigned to take a profes- sorship in Gammon Theological seminary, where he remained till this year. He is now on the lecture platform. Dr. W. E. Hamilton, A. M.. of Iowa Wesleyan, who had occupied the chair of Mathematics from 1883, was now elected president. To the hosts of students and alumni who know and love this Nestor of our faculty, it is unnecessary to speak at length. His strong origin- ality, his clearness and simplicity of thought and expression and the patent fact that he exemplifies in his own life all his high principles make him a most delightful and revered teacher. He found the re- sponsibilities of the position so wearing, that in 1889 he resigned, to be followed by Edmund M. Holmes, Simpson ’8o, and Garrett Biblical Institute, who had been here four years as professor of 27

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its limitations were never approached by any of his students, whatever demands they might make upon it. He was a court of last appeal up- on any and all subjects. His is a name to conjure with among a large number of middle-aged people, today. ‘You were at Simpson in Dr. Burns’ time?’ That is the formula. Then will follow anecdotes and reminiscences, winding up with eulogies of the good old times and Dr. Burns. To us all, it seems a great privilege to have been with him. He set before us the highest ideals,he strengthened faltering courage, aroused ambition and fostered self-respect and confidence. His students invariably treated him with the greatest respect. Some say that to do so was in accordance with the spirit of those times; it may have been in part due to the sarcasm, pointed with wit, which was his ever ready weapon in time of need; but, more than all, it was the result of his own treatment of his students. The statement with which he began each term: ‘There are no rules of conduct gov- erning the students of this institution other than those rules which govern ladies and gentlemen everywhere,’ was the key-note of his policy.” Another of his graduates notes the fact that the students were sons and daughters of pioneer families, and came for the purpose of an education, came unacquainted with college life, many of them with only the crudest ideas of social amenities. She thinks they were not sa easily governed as at present, and that the great respect they had for Dr. Burns was the ruling force. Certainly the respect and affection of students for the president and teachers has always been a source of strength. One of Simpson’s great advantages over larger institutions is the character of her fac- ulty and their close association with the students. Their interest is not bounded by the walls of the classroom, their friendship and sym- pathy is freely given. Dr. Burns’ presidency of ten years has been the longest, so far, in the history of the school. He spent the remainder of his life at the head of a girls’ school in Canada. For some years there was constant agitation on the part of capi- talists in Des Moines, seconded by Dr. Burns, for the removal of the college to that city. This, together with the financial crash of ’73, caused a marked decrease, both in contributions and in the number of students. All friends of the school, however, had confidence in the ability of the new president, Dr. Thomas S. Berry, to “wring vic- 26

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Greek. Dr. Holmes is well known as presiding elder of this district, and no words can enhance the esteem in which all hold him. Under his management the school grew, but the ministry drew him, and after three years’ service he also resigned. Fletcher Brown, Simpson and Drew, an old acquaintance as vice president of the school, was at the helm for six years. He looked closely to the interests of the school in all lines, being especially successful in finance. Science Hall, the Ladies’ Hall and the Hall of Electrical Engineering, now the men’s gymnasium, are monuments to his labors. Rev. J. B. Harris, beloved pastor of the church at Indianola for three years, was president for one year, taking upon his shoulders the business management of the school, while Dr. Hamilton, as dean, relieved him of the local work. President Shelton, of Iowa Wesleyan, took the reins in 1899. Of him and his management this volume speaks, and future volumes will tell of the progress made in his time, which, it is hoped, will cover many more years. The graduates from the regular collegiate courses of the college number three hundred and forty-eight; the number would be doubled if the graduates of other departments were catalogued. Most gratifying is the steady increase noted in the number of undergrad- uates, the Senior class this year boasting thirty-one members, the Junior, fifty. The alumni are thus divided as to occupations: Teachers and professors...................................... 63 Ministers ................................................... 49 Missionaries ......Ti • .................................... 13 Students .................................................... 15 Lawyers ................................................. 24 Editors ..................................................... 14 Farmers ..................................................... 10 Merchants .............................. ;.................. 7 Physicians .................. ....,. ;: v .................... 7 Traveling men................................................. 5 Civil Engineers .............................................. 4 Real estate agents............................................ 5 Druggists..................................................... 2 Banking .................................................... 2 Mothers and home-makers...................................... 69 Miscellaneous and unknown.................................... 33 Deceased .............. . . 26 Though still dependent on the loyalty and devotion of her friends Simpson is now on a firm foundation. The number of those friends is a better guarantee cf long life and prosoerity than the endowment of a millionaire, though that might not come amiss. 28