Wesleyan University - Olla Podrida Yearbook (Middletown, CT)

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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

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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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O L L A P O D A 1'1BWM'011- WM 1-: 515110051 ' ' 90043111 '1D40M01'11979MM11 'L even to come to Middletown. In January, 1841, realizing that he ought not to allow his continued illness to embarrass the college any longer, he resigned, and the trustees elected Dr. Nathan Bangs president. Bangs, then missionary secretary and one of the foremost leaders in Methodism, was reluctant to accept. But the faculty went to New York in a body to plead his acceptance, and his fellow ministers in that city represented it to be his duty to accept in order to save the institution, which during the long interregnum had been losing students and was dangerously running into debt. Finally he consented to be president and the next August at Commencement he delivered his Inaug- iral Address. Bangs, ecclesiastical executive of rare skill, great-hearted in his sympae thies, loved the young college ardently: he was Wesleyanis friend from the start, and later served as trustee for eleven years. He sacrificed his leader- ship in the church to be- come president and to save Wesleyan from ime mediate dissolution. He found conditions in a de- plorable state and at once worked desperately and successfully to raise funds to tide over the threaten- ing crisis. But not being . V e a , e . , Left to right: North Lnngrcgalmnal Lhureh wetne- 0f 83 21 C011C3gC ngIdULHE 1101' fa' Ctumiu'ncemvntL Past Other. McDum-ugh Iluusc miliar with the tech nique of college administration, which he felt he was too old t641 to learn, he soon became enmeshed in dilhculties; and one year after his inaugural, learn- ing that Olin was restored to health, he resigned in his favor; and on August 2, 1842, Olin was reelected president. Stephen Olin, successful president of Randolph-Macon College tuntil his illnessa, was one of the most eloquent orators of his day. Whether preaching before Congress or lecturing to Wesleyan students tCollege Life was a post- humous publication of these lecturesL he cast a spell over his audience. At once he enhanced Wesleyan prestige and collected funds needed to steer the collegiate ship into deeper waters after Bangs had so narrowly rescued it from the rocks. Student activities began to expand. The Junior Exhibition started in 1844. Phi Beta Kappa was established in 1845. A glee club and a band Hour- ished. Great Fourth of July celebrations Flamed. Fraternities developed. b 70 TWI'IIvaIIIITI'