Swarthmore College - Halcyon Yearbook (Swarthmore, PA)

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... The principles of our religious society are taught in that most effec- tive of all ways, the lessons of daily life and example, while spoken words, in season, are not neglected. The Managers feel deeply impressed with the conviction that they would be reporting but a part, and that the least im- portant part of the work which is being accomplished at Swarthmore, were no allusion made to the religious training which the students here receive. It is believed that the more than two decades of experience which have elapsed since these words were uttered have confirmed the judgment of the Managers then expressed. At the close of this year seven students were graduated, five in the classical and two in the scientific course. We now come to consider the sixth year of the College (1874-5), which opened with the same seven members of the Faculty as the preced- ing, strengthened by the well-deserved appointment of Susan J. Cunning- ham, now appointed full Professor of Mathematics, and to a seat in the Faculty of Government. Although without the title, she had practically performed the duties of Professor of Mathematics since the opening of the College in 1869. Of the four resident graduates of the preceding year, three continued to occupy the same position as instructors the present year, and Helen Magill, A. B., was appointed President ' s Secretary and Instruc- tor in Gymnastics. A few other changes were made in the Department of Instruction, but to refer to each by name would transcend the limits of this chapter. The appointment at this time of Dr. Joseph Thomas, LL. D., as non- resident Professor of English Literature, whose lectures were so highly enjoyed, and whose scholarly influence in the College was so profoundly felt for a number of years, must not be passed over in silence. I am sure that the Alumni and ex-students of those earlier years would never pardon the omission if I should not give him, even in this hasty and imperfect sketch, a passing word. Long shall we all remember his kindly, genial smile, his encouraging words, his striking maxims, and that fullness of his subject and familiarity with it which reminded one constantly of his oft- repeated words, r embarrars de richesses, and of which he was himself so conspicuous an example. Peace to his ashes ! The good old man ! 13

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will be observed that nearly all of the students are pursuing one of the regular courses provided, and this is desirable ; both for the interests of the College, and of the individual students, who almost invariably make more satisfactory progress when pursuing a regular course, even for a short time, without any idea of graduation, than when they select all their studies for themselves. Of course the Elective is so far combined with the Regular system that the Electives increase as the students advance in their course, and in the Junior and Senior classes the studies are largely elective. Upon the same principle, the Electives are very few in the Preparatory school, and students in that school are expected to pursue the regular work of the classes in which they are placed, . . . It is a serious error to suppose that the pursuit of a select course is adapted to immature minds that espe- cially need the advantages of systematic training in a well-arranged course of study. The increasing number of students, and the limited capacity of the College turned the attention of the Managers at this time toward the erec- tion of separate homes for the professors upon the College grounds. But some time elapsed before taking a step in this direction by erecting a house near the west end of the College for the President and his family. The way has not even yet seemed open to taking further steps, although to some minds it still seems feasible, and exceedingly desirable. The satisfactory experience of Cornell University in this respect would seem to be an exam- ple well worthy of imitation. During this fifth year, the first after the College had reached the period of graduating its first class, irregularities of discipline and of management, almost necessarily attendant upon the founding of a new institution, began to disappear, upon which point the Managers say in their report for this year : While the intellectual training of the students has been a subject of anx- ious care, and their physical well-being secured by regular and appropriate exercise, their moral and spiritual welfare has been sedulously guarded, and, as a tangible result, the discipline of the institution was never in a more satisfactory condition. The students are daily learning the great lesson that those are best governed who are taught to be a law unto themselves. 12

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When shall we meet his like again ? May we all profit by his beautiful example ! Profundity of thought, thoroughness of research, and a simplicity that was truly childlike, were alike the characteristics of the two non-resi- dent Professors that Swarthmore was so fortunate as to claim as hers at this period — Dr. Joseph Thomas and Dr. Joseph Leidy. Although the limits of this chapter will not permit an extended allu- sion to the great loss which the College suffered this year in the death of three valuable members of the Board, all called home within the period of four months, the honored and beloved names of Anna M. Hopper (the daughter of Lucretia Mott), that strong, clear intellect, united with great practical ability, qualifying her for a wide field of usefulness in the active government of the College ; William Dorsey, whose voice was so frequently heard in our earlier conferences in behalf of the College, and whose dis tinct utterances always carried irresistible conviction to doubtful minds, and S. B. Worth, one who contributed largely to the material interests of Swarthmore, and was one upon whom we could always confidently call in cases of real need — these three friends, I say, whose abiding interest in Swarthmore so thoroughly united them in life, and who in their death were not divided, must have here at least this passing word. During this sixth year the number of college students reached 99, being an increase over the number of any previous year. Keeping in view, as always, the full development of the college proper, a continued effort was made so to arrange the courses of study as to give satisfaction to the largest number, and to encourage regularity on the part of the students in the pursuit of these courses, both for their own advantage and the advan- tage of the College as well. Upon this point the Managers speak as follows in their report for the present year : Great care is taken to encourage all students, as far as possible, to pursue one of the regular courses of study provided. Of the few who are irregular, some are preparing to enter the regular course next year, others having but a short time to remain with us, are devoting that time to special branches in which they are most deficient, or which they expect to find most useful in the pursuits in which they are soon to be engaged. Our 14