University of Minnesota - Gopher Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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A D M N T R A T

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WILLIAM WATTS FOLWELL 1833-1929 To some men, fate decrees a life of service to an ideal and to an institution, a life of service which is its own reward and draws little recognition from the world. But to some few others in whom the fires of greatness burn steadily and brightly, it is given not only to serve long and faithfully, but also to receive the honor and veneration of the world for that service. To President William Watts Folwell. Minnesota has already paid formal tribute, and that tribute is likely to be as deeply felt by suc- ceeding generations of students and administrators as it is by those of today, for Dr. Folwell ' s contribution to the University of Minnesota was not for an age. but for all time. William Watts Folwell was born at Romulus. New York, on February 14, 183 3, and died at his home in Minneapolis on Sep- tember 18. 1929. His childhood was spent on the family farm, and in 1857 he received his bachelor of arts degree from Hobart College. His master ' s degree was received in 1860. After serving as a teacher at Hobart, he went to the University of Berlin to study. The Civil War brought him back to the United States, where he served as brevet lieutenant colonel of the engineers. During the four years which followed his return to civilian life, he engaged in private business enterprises in Ohio, but returned to the scholastic world in 1869 when he accepted a professorship in mathe- matics and engineering at Kenyon College. Ohio. At the same time he was called to the University of Minnesota to become its first president. He found here one building, a faculty of eight instructors, and fourteen students, the majority of whom were in the preparatory department. To the outsider, it was a tiny school with little hope of continued existence, but to William Watts Folwell. the seer, it was the germ of a great university. With his prophetic vision, he saw a center of culture, a training school for the professions. and an instrument of service to the state. He lived to see his dream fulfilled, and to receive the only honorary degree of l.L.D. ever con- ferred by the University which he guided during its pioneer trials. The University took as its own just due the lite of service and sacrifice offered to it by William Watts Folwell. but she reciprocated by giving him a place of honor in the heart of every student, and she proudly acclaimed him the seer and prophet of Minnesota. Twentij-fict