Wesleyan University - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Middletown, CT)

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before the college body had gotten arranged into the traditional Four year classes; and the electives had to be all elected if you wanted to graduate. The following year Commence- ment was omitted; but the Hrst graduating C o m - mencement was held in August, 1833. In those days the Wesleyan Come mencements came in thc Main Street in liarly Mithlletmvn. Looking North beginning of the year, until 1845, when they were shifted to the close of the year. Recitations began in that First year immediately after Commencement; and Elisha B. Nye had the honor to make the Erst recitation in the brand new college. For the boys of 1831 life was somewhat rigorous. Discipline was exacting: conditions were primitive, as compared with those of today. Compulsory chapel at 5:50 A M. or 6 A. M. in mid-winted encouraged early rising. You dressed by candle light in winter, if indeed you really dressedean overcoat over your night gownr-shoes on your feet,-then a dash for chapel! rind then the long-ltu'led Hla'tt'l' wax worn by curl: poor mun, For you dare not take a drape! mt ut I'chJeymzl If your room was cold, you had the privilege of running down stairs, plodding seventy-five feet through the snow to the wood house in the rear, loading your arms with wood to tote up to your room, and lighting a Fire in your own stove. After chapel eyery day one recitation period was held before breakfast. Class work demanded much memory cram- ming, on which you were orally examined by a committee at the end of the term. The whole evening you must spend in your room; studying; or you were liable to have a demerit recorded against you by the professor who frequently prowled about the halls to catch you unawares. On Sunday you were allowed to study ttEvidences of Christianity and kindred subjectsv that had a pious Havor. Extra-curricular activities were at a smhm 01in Twme-nne

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OLLA PODRIDA T; IIFW MTV Will Wow me m-MJ-nmmwmm lege would raise $40,000 $10,000 of which the town of Middletown subscribed as a grants. It was good management, rather than coincidence, that brought the New York Conference to Middletown for its annual session in the brand-new church, in May, 1830; for they fell in love with the quaint, old town, voted to establish uThe Wesleyan University there on the proposed terms, and elected permanent trustees. These trustees met, August 24-26, elected Willbur Fisk president tsalary $51000 per annumL and authorized the Prudential Committee to set up a preparatory school, which was conducted by one Larrahee for the months preceding the opening of the college. On May 21, 1831, the General Assembly of Connecticut granted the Charter, which the Wesleyan trustees adopted on September 20 of that year. Meanwhile President Fisk was busied with raising funds for the college, helping to prepare students for college entrance in the temporary school in the old Academy build- ings, the preparation of those buildings for college students, and the final selection of a faculty. The Wesleyan University opened on Sep- tember 21, 1831, with forty-eight students tone coming from Columbia. four from Hamilton Colleges, and a faculty consisting of President Fisk who taught Moral Science and Belle-Lettres, Augustus William Smith, professor of Mathematics, Iohn Mott Smith, professor of Ancient Languages; and W. Magoun, tutor. The exercises of that opening day were advertised as the First Annual Commence- Mlmumm m .uruw M- WWW 1N; ment,u and they were held in the new Methodist Church. Osman C. Baker, First student to Inatriculate, delivered a Latin oration and salutatory. S. S. Stocking twho later was graduated, 23$ read a poem; and O. L. Shafter twho didnit graduatQ gave an oration 0n the somewhat expansive theme of Universal Benevolence. Maybe he did not feel so benevolent. when he was dropped from college. Then President Fisk delivered his memorable Inaugural Address, proving his mastery of educational problems and his sympathy with the elective system, the new scientific education and the much-debated classiW fication of students according to prohciency, rather than time spent in college. In some respects, Fisk was in advance of his times, a true progressive; and yet his theories were in practice tempered by his prudence It was not long 'Iilawly

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OLLA PODRIDA I-llamml-lwwwll-IEWJ-Jl . . mmmmwm'mmmol-l minimum tunless you except student preaching in the suburbsy. The lower classmen furnished a football for the college body to kick about the space now occupied by the Chapel and college theatre. But there were no organized athletics. The trustees in 1833 tthe day before the first graduating Commence- meno voted to make each student do mechanical and agricultural labor for two hours daily, uso that parents may have assurance that the physical as well as the intellectual and moral education will be attended to. tAlasl only a few students accepted the invitation. and they for Financial rather than physical bettermenta. Weekly brhetoricals were held for the whole college in compo- sition and declamation. The Philorhetorian, Non Nomenantla and Adelphian literary societies met on Tuesday evenings. T116 Classic or College Monthly, started in 1840, was an outgrowth of this literary activity among the students, though the paper was short-lived. The men of the lThirties in after years testified that one of the happiest memories of those college days was the stimulating personality of President Fisk. His success in inspiring his students, as well as in funtl-raising and in handling the technique of college administration, fortified the fragile institu- tion; but his prodigious labors cost him his health. In September, 1835. Fisk left for a Fifteen months tour in Europe in search of better health and of scientific equipment for the college. The latter he secured tto the value of about $7,000, including a fine telescopea, but his quest for renewed strength was not so successful. After his return to Middletown, November 29, 1856, he continued gradually to decline until his death, a little over two years later tFebruary Z3, 1859y He passed away in the new Presidents House, which the college had completed, a year before; and he was buried in the little college cemetery, now known as Wesleyanis uGodls Acre. Professor Augustus W. Smith, who had presided during Fiskls European tour, was again appointed acting president. Little did he, or anyone else. dream that he would have to serve for nearly two and a half years! In August, 1839, the trustees elected Dr. Stephen Olin presi- dent and he accepted; but he did not return from . Europe until the fall of Former Presidential Home. Now Home 1in Professor Ximlwn 1840, and was then EOO lll Tu'mIv-m'u