Susquehanna University - Lanthorn Yearbook (Selinsgrove, PA)

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The Alumni HPO that one of the founders of Missionary Institute, who is yet living, it may seem only a short time ago that that humble beginning which has since grown into this institution, set up its ideal and began its part of the world ' s work. Yet it is now a half -century since this school was founded under the name given above. At the time of its establishment in 1858 it was granted full university privileges. These privileges it did not, however, fully exercise until 1894, when it reorganized under its chartered rights, assumed the name Sus- quehanna University, and started out with an enlarged number of courses, with new aims and toward new purposes. But, nevertheless, during all the fifty years of its existence, it has kept up high grade classical and theological schools. It is of the graduates of these departments that this sketch deals more particularly. The character and ideals of a school have a great influence upon the char- acters and ideals of its students. This has been true of Susquehanna. The lives and work of her graduates have not been such as to reflect the least discredit upon their alma mater. Instead, they have been an honor to her and an encour- agement to her in her work. Perhaps it is the old ideal of Susquehanna, seen reflected in her first name, that still clings to her, for her aims have always been evangelical. With the enlargement of her activity and the expansion of her courses, she retained the old missionary spirit. Her mission is no longer to the heathen, but against all manner and forms of ignorance and vice wherever found. The ideal of usefulness, service in the cause of the right and opposition to evil, exemplified in her alumni is but the reflection of her own ideals and aspirations. As the phosphor escent particles in the sea, having bathed in the light of the glorious midday sun. in turn send forth their light and illuminate the darkness in the seething track of the great ocean liner, so the lines of Susquehanna ' s men, radiating forth again the light received from her, do brighten and make better elements in the turbulent stream of life as it heaves at the passing of this throb- bing, pulsating twentieth century progress. Susquehanna ' s students have attained eminence in many walks of life. Students from her halls may be found in the highest ranks of the theological profession, filling the most influential and useful offices in the church. Promi- nence in the legal and the medical profession has been won by Susquehanna ' s men. Some of her students are accomplishing excellent work in the teaching profession, bringing honor and credit to themselves and to the institution. The missionary ideal of the school has brought forth good results. The heathen of far-off Africa have heard the gospel from the lips of Susquehanna students. Business has claimed the lives of many, and the common walks of life are graced 5

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by her sons. A few of her graduates are giving a large part of their time to athletics, in which they are doing commendable work. It is to the Alumni that the institution owes, in large measure, one of the finest equipped gymnasiums in central Pennsylvania. A word must be said of the graduates of the minor departments of the insti- tution. The oldest of these departments dates back no earlier than 1894. The schools of Expression and Art are not as largely attended as the other depart- ments, as they were more recently established, and because there is less demand for education of that kind. Yet some of the graduates of other departments owe much of their success to knowledge gained in courses offered by these. From the Conservatory of Music, the Academy and the School of Business, many graduates go out every year. These men and women are needed in the world as truly as are those of the more advanced departments, and because of their great numbers, they form an important constituent of those who represent Susquehanna in the world, and naturally they exercise a great influence. Many of the graduates of the Conservatory are already acquiring distinction in their chosen life ' s work. Others are making homes and communities brighter and more cheerful because of their talents developed here. Graduates of the Academy keep good standing in the college classes of this university and of other institutions. Students from the Business Department are doing successful work in this country, in Cuba and in Mexico. No names have been mentioned in this article for several reasons. In the first place the spac e allotted does not permit mention of many, and to give but a few of the illustrious names on the roll of Susquehanna ' s Alumni, would give an impression that there are but few to mention, which is untrue; and, morever, it would be unjust to many who could not be named and yet deserve notice for their prominence, as well as the others. Again, it is not fitting to mention individuals here, as only a superficial account of the life of each could be given on account of the limited space alloted. And finally, we have tried to refrain from stealing the thunder, in the least degree, of those who are preparing an alumni book which is to appear in the near future, and to which we confi- dently refer you.