Union College - Garnet Yearbook (Schenectady, NY)

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THE GARNET. 23 but the largest subcription was only $250, the next $100, and the total sum altogether, from sources other than direct gift of the State, but $42,043.74. Some grants were made by the State in years as below specified. The building be¬ gun under Dr. Edward’s presidency was still unfinished, and the college was burdened with a heavy debt. The means that had been provided were, of course, quite inadequate to the wants of a prosperous college, and to sup¬ ply the needed endowment recourse was had to an expedi¬ ent now forbidden by a better public sentiment, but then deemed proper for raising funds in aid of every religious, educational and benevolent enterprise of the day, and for every public improvement. King’s College, in New York City, had already been aided to funds by a public lottery, but other institutions had since arisen which had received no such aid. It was there¬ fore deemed advisable to urge the passage of a law, which was secured March 30, 1805, for raising the sum of $80,000 by lottery. A few years’ experience showed that the location in the city was not sufficiently ample, and the observing eyes of Dr. Nott, at an early period in his presidency, had noticed in the suburbs a better one that combined in rare degree every advantage desirable. On the eastern border of the city the fields rise by a gentle slope to a plain of moderate elevation and of easy access. Near the upper edge of this slope the construction of a terrace a few feet high would af¬ ford a level campus of ample space, and a site for buildings that would overlook the valley, the river and the neighbor¬ ing city, while northward glimpses of mountains blue from distance, and southwestward ranges of hills dividing the waters of the Mohawk and Susquehanna River, would pre¬ sent a panorama of peculiar loveliness. A gently murmur¬ ing brook issuing from dense woodlands flowed across the

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22 THE GARNET The first commencement was held in May, 1797, and the first degree conferred upon three young men who had fin¬ ished the course of study then required. This was an oc¬ casion of signal and novel interest to all the country around, and drew together a large and enthusiastic audience. Dr. Smith was succeeded by the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, D.D., who died in 1801, and was followed by the Rev. Jon¬ athan Maxcy, D.D., who resigned in 1804. Although frequent changes are generally adverse to pros¬ perity, and although the college was still feeble, it was not without enterprise. Under the presidency of Dr. Edwards, a new edifice was begun, on a scale magnificent for that ||| day and still one of the finest and best-built in the city. An event, howevei, occurred in 1804 which proved to be of peculiar advantage to the institution, and from which its success may be justly dated. This event was the choice of the Rev. Eliphalet Nott, as president. Mr. Nott was then a young clergyman of Albany, known at the time as an elo¬ quent and effective public speaker of dignified and court¬ eous manners and distinguished learning, but not as yet known for that talent in the education of young men which this election gave him the opportunity to exercise and which has scarcely been surpassed in the history of any American college. Endowed by nature with a keen perception of character, a discriminating judgment in developing latent talent, a dignity of manners commanding both love and re¬ spect, a facility in governing young men, wherein the secret lay in teaching them to govern themselves, and a zeal and earnestness in the discharge of every duty, he acquired and held, through a long and active life, a comamnding position as an educator which was felt and acknowledged through¬ out the country. Dr. Nott found the college wanting both means and stu¬ dents. The inhabitants of Schenectady had proposed an endowment of $30,000 in lands, obligations and money ;

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24 THE GARNET. grounds just north of the proposed site, and in the rear al- ternating fields and groves extended several miles eastward to the Hudson. A tract of some two hundred and fifty acres was secured and new buildings begun upon plans drawn by M. Ramee, a French engineer then eminent in the country, and for a time employed by the National Government in planning fortifications and public works. Construction was begun on College Hill in 1812, and the buildings were first occupied in 1814. To provide means for these improvements Dr. Nott succeeded in obtaining another grant from the State j of $200,000. Although prominence is given to the personal influence of its president, during many years of prosperity, justice re¬ quires us to record the fact, which ' all the graduates will in¬ dorse, that a large measure of gratitude is due from them to the other members of the faculty for their talent, fidelity and ability in conducting the interests more especially con- f fided to their care. But advancing age brings its infirmities ; and in 1852 the Rev. Laurens P. Hickok, D.D., was called from the Au¬ burn Theological Seminary to serve as vice-president, and upon him gradually devolved the cares of the presidency, although they were not actually conferred in name until af¬ ter the death of Dr. Nott in 1866. On the retirement of Dr. Hickok, the Rev. Charles A. Aiken, D.D.. of Dartmouth College, was chosen president, and he filled the duties with acceptance until 1871, when, for domestic reasons, involving the health of a member of his family, he resigned to seek a less rigorous climate ; and in the selection of a successor the choice fell upon the Rev. 1 Eliphalet Nott Potter, D.D., a grandson of Dr. Nott, and son of Bishop Alonzo Potter. | This selection of a man at an age much younger than that at which college presidents are usually chosen, might