Susquehanna University - Lanthorn Yearbook (Selinsgrove, PA)

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Historical Sketch of the Collegiate Department. IE Collegiate Department of Susquehanna University was organ- ized in the fall of 1S58 and went into immediate operation in the basement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Selins Grove, Pa. , and its existence is largely due to the strong exertions of the people of that place. It has now been conducted in the interest of higher education, under the direction of the Lutheran Church, for thirty - eight scholastic years. Up to the year 1894 the institution had a curricu- lum that prepared for the Junior class of the various colleges of the state. In June, 1894, however, the Board of Directors, after careful deliberation, saw their way clear to extend the courses of this department to those of a full college. Hence they elected two additional professors and college work in all its branches was entered upon August 23, 1894. The writer has not now at his command a full historical record of this department with reference to its principals, professors and students ; nor does the purpose of this sketch call for all these particulars. It will be sufficient to remark that the names of the men in charge of the interests of this department, in the different periods of its history, warrant the belief that the work of educating was conscientiously done. A survey of the results, too, emphasizes this belief. There have been graduated from this department about two hundred young men and women. Many of these have reached positions of marked prominence in church and state. Be- sides these there have been partially educated some thousands of others who have gone into the various vocations of life. The number in connec- tion with the institution during the last twelve years is upward of one thousand. Of the number who have graduated from this deparment, about seven-sixteenths were studying for the ministry. This we believe to be a larger percentage for the sacred office than can be found in any other clas- sical institution of the Lutheran Church. From the above fact it would appear that the tone of the institution has always been decidedly moral and religious. This has been due to sev- eral reasons, prominent among them the work of the Y. M. C. A. and the 14

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Executive Committee. J. R. Dimm, D. D. H. E. Miller. M. L. Wagenseller. G. C. Wagenseller. J. L. Cooper. H. Alleman. Financial Committee. J. R. Dimm, D. D. DkWitt Bodine. John Haas. Students ' House Committee. G. C. Wagenseller. J. L. Cooper. Committee on Vacancies in Board. J H. Weber, D. D. D. K. Ramey. M. L. Wagenseller. Degree Committee. J. H. Weber. D. D. DeWitt Bodine. Rev. M. L. Shindel. £, Library Committee. Rev. E. A. Sharretts. H. C. Holloway, D. D. Rev. R. G. Bannen. 13

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influence of the Theological Department. The instruction, also, has con- stantly aimed to recognize properly in all things the hand of God. Though the growth of the institution has not been as rapid as it ought to have been, and though it has not received the support that its devotion to the cause of education and Christianity deserved; yet within recent years, very marked strides along the line of progress have been made. In 1S94 the Board of Directors, recognizing that the school had thoroughly outgrown the origi- nal building, determined to erect a new building of modern type to meet these increasing wants. This was done at a cost of over $20,000. In February, 1895, this building ( now known as Gustavus Adolphus Hall) was taken possession of, and in June of the same year, it was dedicated. The old building (Selius Grove Hall) was next remodeled and arranged for students ' dormitories exclusively. Both buildings are heated by steam and are greatly enjoyed both by the Collegiate and Theological students. With these material equipments there came also a need of an increase in the teaching force and at present writing the school has a hard working faculty of seven professors, three instructors, and a teacher of Music and Art. By the efforts of these teachers, five courses of instruction have been arranged and are maintained : the Classical, leading to the degree of B. A. ; the Latin Scientific, leading to the degree of B. S. ; the Normal Course, leading to the degree of B. E. ; the Preparatory Course which fits for col- lege ; and the Theological Course which covers a period of three years. Aiming at a high standard of scholarship, these courses have recently been revised and will doubtless compare favorably with those of the leading colleges of our state. With an increase of advantages in buildings, equipments, and teach- ing force, there has come more than a corresponding increase of students and even now, in certain directions, the school has again outgrown its facilities. But we are glad to say that the school also enjoys a correspond- ingly larger influence, and is regarded with favor by a large number of the most influential Lutheran ministers and laymen of the state. In a general way it may be said that institutions of learning pass through three periods in the experiences of their history : the period of foundation , the period of formation and the period of expansion. With us, the first period was long, required much prayer, great faith, and patient waiting ; the second passed somewhat more rapidly, was more encouraging and appears to be Hearing its end, for already the period of expansion is shading in, the larger needs are thrusting themselves upon ns, are being considered, and, we have reason to believe, will in due time be sup- plied. The necessity of a new Dormitory with provision for the Prepara- 15