University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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C AL N D 7TR IQII. October 3. November 30. December 20. 1912. January 3. February 9. February 12. February 22. April May June June June July October S- 30. 23- 26. 27. i-Aug. 9 i. First Semester begins. Holiday, Thanksgiving Day. (Evening.) Holiday Vacation begins. (Morning.) Exercises resumed. (Evening.) First Semester closes. Second Semester begins. Holiday, Washington ' s Birthday. (Evening.) Celebration of Founders ' Day. (Evening.) Recess begins, ending April 15 (evening). Holiday, Memorial Day. Baccalaureate Address. Alumni Day. Commencement. Summer Session. First Semester begins.

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The University Fifty Years Ago Y acquaintance with the university goes back to the fall of 1857, when I was enrolled as a member of the Freshman Class. The studer.ts numbered in all 449, of which 173 were Medics as we called them, the literary and medical being the only departments in existence at that time. The students were somewhat more mature in years than at present and were more rustic in ap- pearance, though sweaters, slickers and toques were unknown. Many of them were poor and worked their own way through college, often boarding them- selves at an expense of about a dollar a week. They were an earnest and manly set of fellows, diamonds in the rough if you please, though the sparkle of the jewel never became visible in some cases. There were only two Faculties numbering in all twenty men. Instructors and Assist- ants were a later growth, and every freshman started with a full professor in his career of study. The teachers were men of strong personality. At their head was the great Presi- dent, Henry P. Tappan, who was commonly called Chancellor. A man of majestic presence, of great power as a speaker and thinker, almost idolized by the students but somewhat auto- cratic in his treatment of the Regents and Faculties. His impress on the life and character of the University was so strong and deep that its marks are still to be identified. The President was generally attended by two dogs that furnished unlimited comment and were the butt of many a joke. When Leo died there appeared in the next mock- program of the Junior Exhibition the following epitaph : Poor Leo little had he thought. His dog-days were to be so short ; Scarce had he quaffed life ' s bitter cup, Death took him when he was a pup. Old Tap, as we boys familiarly called him, was a born investigator. In those days it was much more common than now for strolling elocutionists, lightning calculators, and other like geniuses to show themselves before college communities. A famous performer from Barnum ' s Museum once appeared in Dr. Tappan ' s class room to give an exhibition. At the close of the performance the President questioned him about his method and expressed some solicitation in regard to his health, since he was pale and puny ; whereupon the Pro- fessor, as he called himself, assured the President that he was in excellent health and that he would gladly prove it to him if he would do him the honor to invite him to dinner. We boys could hardly suppress our amusement at this piece of impertinence, and our enjoy- ment of the scene was increased by seeing the man who was always so self-poised for once thrown off his balance and non-plussed. I regret to say, remarked Dr. Tappan, after recovering himself, that I am invited out myself today a philosophic subterfuge we were inclined to suspect. Another man of that early faculty who rivalled the President in the affection of the stu- dents was Prof. George P. Williams, Old Punky, as he was familiarly called. This name was probably given because of the dryness of his wit, and suggested by the initial of his I I