University of Illinois - Illio Yearbook (Urbana Champaign, IL)

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ffacult Iprofessor Ikatberine fIDerrill The knowledge that Professor Katherine Merrill has decided to sever her connection with the University is received with great regret by students and instructors. Miss Merrill has held the position of Assistant Professor of Eng- lish for four years, and in that time she has won the respect and admiration of all the students who have come under her tutelage, as well as the friendship of her fellow teachers. Although Miss Merrill does not belong to Kansas by birth, she spent her childhood there and received her early education in the public schools of that State. After a year in the State University, she spent two years in the study of music in New York City. A serious throat trouble compelled her to give up this work and she returned to Kansas and completed her un- dergraduate course in the University in 1889. The two years following were spent in Bryn Mawr, where she held the fellowship in English in the college year of 1S90 and 1891. During the college year, 1891 and 1892, her work in English and comparative literature was continued at Radcliffe College, Cambridge, and in the fall of 1892 she began her duties in the University of Illinois. After Miss Merrill ' s arrival many changes were made at her suggestion for the increase of conveniences for the women of the University. It was through her efforts that the ladies ' parlor was furnished as a rest room for women students. It was also at her request that the gymnasium was opeued for the young women. With these sugges- tions, which were carried into effect, Miss Merrill embodied in a report to the Board of Trustees a plan for the opening of a department of sanitary science, in which she included courses of special interest to women. Miss Merrill ' s instruction in the University has covered a variety of courses in Eng- lish literature. The work in nineteenth century authors covers, in the main, writers of poetry and prose of this century. Her aim is to make both a historical and a philosoph- ical study of the men and their works. These courses are regarded as introductory to a more detailed and comprehensive study of the content of nineteenth century literature. The nineteenth century work is mentioned specifically because Miss Merrill has made this period the subject of special study, and in this line her strongest and most inspiring work has been done. In the class room Miss Merrill has won a well recognized popularity, both by her strong personality and by her high scholarship, which has had a distinctly elevating influence upon her students. Her work has always been full of inspiration for her classes. The warmth of her enthusiasm for literary art has kindled in young men and young women the desire for higher thinking and the breadth of her interpretations has stirred them to deeper thoughtfulness.

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jfacult lEuocne Davenport, fID. Hgr. ATA Dean of the College of Agriculture and Professor of Animal Husbandry, was born on a farm in Woodland County, Michigan, in 1856. He taught school before entering Michigan Agricultural College, from which he graduated in 1878, taking the degree of B. S. He received from this same college, in 1881, the degree of M. S., and in 1896 M. Agr. He resided on a farm from 1878 to 1888, then returned for graduate work and was elected Professor of Agriculture in 1889, which position he held for two years. He resigned this position in order to attempt the establishing of a School of Agriculture in Brazil, South America. After one year abroad he returned to his farm in Michigan, which he still owns and operates. He was elected Dean of the College of Agriculture and Professor of Animal Husbandry of the University of Illinois on January 1, 1895. He was also elected Director of the Experiment Station in 1896. Professor Davenport is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Michi- gan Academy of Science.

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ffacults flDies Butterfielfc ' s Departure Although it has been known for some months that Miss Helen Butterfield would not continue teaching in the University after this year, the official announcement of her resignation did not occur till a short time ago. Miss Butterfield is an alumnus of this University, having belonged in her college days to a group of girls noted for being at once gay social leaders and excellent students. After graduating in 1891, she taught English in the Mattoon High School for two years, and then spent a year in advanced study of English at Radcliffe College. She found the influences and opportunities of Harvard and Boston as beneficial and enjoy- able as they must ever be to young, enthu- siastic seekers after knowledge. The next year she returned to the Uni- versity of Illinois as Assistant in Rhetoric. Shortly afterward a Department of Rhet- oric was created, with Professor T. A. Clark as head It was thus made possible to give much more time and attention to this most important subject. New and effective methods of teaching were introduced, and the old-fashioned grind of composition writ- ing was turned into a pleasing and useful though none the less difficult task. In this labor ot reform Miss Butterfield proved a most stimulating coadjutor; and at the same time her suggestions for the increase of gen- eral literary culture have been good and fruitful. l r or several years she has been a faithful member of the committee on students ' welfare, and has always eagerly helped any project to further the social or private well- being of students. Her genial personality and winning manner have brought her many friends, and her cheery greeting and ready good humor will long be missed in the social gatherings of University people. In the new relations and duties upon wbich she will enter by her marriage, she is followed by the siucerest desires of all that know her for happiness and prosperity, and The Iu.io takes this opportunity to offer congratulations and good wishes.