USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Delaware > Fifty years of history of the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio : 1844-1894 > Part 5
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Fifty Years of History.
has been monthly. Attendance upon these college services, and upon some church service on the Sabbath, is obligatory. Weekly meetings for prayer are maintained by each class separately, and two weekly meetings held in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association, for all students in com- inon who choose to attend. The proportion of religious students in the college classes increases with the advance- ment of the class; and few students pass through the col- lege course without becoming hopefully pious. More than once, the University has graduated large classes in which every member was religious; and in every class graduated, the majority have been members of some church, a large proportion of whom became so through their connection with the University.
The religious zeal of the students led to the establishment in the University, and the successful working, for a long time, of a Missionary Lyceum. This organization was after- wards merged into the Young Men's Christian Association ; but the missionary zeal continues to burn here, as of yore. From this association, and largely through influences there begotten, a goodly number of the graduates have been led to devote themselves to the foreign missionary work. For some years the students of the University have supported one of our graduate missionaries in India. Of the young men preparing for the ministry, those who are licentiates are faitlıful and useful in evangelical work in the churches of the city and of the neighboring cities and country. Many have regular pastoral charges, and are able thus to support themselves in college, and at the same time accomplish a great deal of good in the communities where they preaclı.
The Young Men's Christian Association, which took the place of the older Allen Missionary Lyceum, was organized
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in 1880. The Young Woman's Christian Association was organized in 1889. These associations have displayed large zeal and enterprise in their work; and their meetings are well attended. The Young Men's Hall is in the new Uni- versity building, has a capacity for five hundred sittings, is finely carpeted and well furnished. This association is thoroughly organized for Christian effort. Its committees cover all forms of religious work among their fellows; and no student, especially no new student, is left unapproached and unhelped. The association publishes hand-books of information and advice, and meets every new student with offers of aid and encouragement. The marked religious trend of the University is greatly promoted and sustained by their faithful effort.
Among the religious students there are constantly many scores of young persons who are looking to the Christian ministry, or some other field of Christian activity; and the ranks of this special class receive constant accessions from among those who have been converted or quickened here, and have changed the purposes of their lives. Of these, the young preachers, and others who expect to become such, have an active and enthusiastic Homiletic Club, for their personal or professional profit. Before this club, inany ad- mirable and suggestive addresses and lectures have been de- livered by invited speakers, either local or from abroad.
The young ladies at Monnett Hall have long been organ- ized into "Tens," for some form of benevolent work. These groups, under the conscientious training and wise guidance of the teachers at Monnett, have accomplished a large amount of silent but effective work within the institution, or for needy interests outside.
J.M.
NAYLOR
Dr.CHAS·E· SLOCUM
CK
JUDGES
WMT.MC
SON
Hon GEO.W.ATK
Hon.THOS. E.POWELL:
GEORGE MITCHELL M.D.
Hon. MORRIS SHARP
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Ohio Wesleyan University :
DISCIPLINE.
The aim of the University has been to secure thorough- ness. Its demands upon the students are quite as great as in other colleges ; and no one graduates who has not faith- fully tried to acquire both knowledge and discipline. The result is that its graduates take high rank in the professions and business employments. The graduates now count almost twenty-two hundred. They are found in nearly all the States of the Union and in all quarters of the globe. Professor Nelson, in a paper following this, gives some statistics of the alumni, and a study of the results of fifty years' history of their lives, and of their work in the world. It is a record of which the University, and its thousands of friends, may well be proud.
The discipline here exercised has, at all times, appealed to the confidence and the moral sense of the students. It has aimed to foster sentiments of manliness and honor, to work out the highest types of character, to make the stu- dents habitually self-respectful, and, therefore, respectful to authority. The general results have been satisfactory, and the relations of the Faculty and the students have been of the most pleasant kind. Of course, in so large a body of young persons, promiscuously gathered, it must needs be that offenses come. Some are disposed to evil; others are incapable of reflection. These are the small minority, but they furnish nearly all the cases for special discipline. Ac- cordingly, there has been no instance, in the history of the institution, of a general insubordination, and only few and limited instances of combinations to resist authority.
Most of the Faculty keep a daily record of the work of the students that recite to them. This marking is on a scale ranging from zero to ten, 6.5 being a minimum for “ pass-
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Fifty Years of History.
ing." The daily record enters as a factor in the term grade. Others of the Faculty, from the peculiarity of their work, rely mainly on the general impression made by the student, and upon special examinations, at intervals, or at the end of the term. The term grades are reported to the registrar, and entered in the University record book. It is from the aggregate of these marks that the final standing of the stu- dent is ascertained, and his title determined to a place on the Commencement programme.
The method of regulating the Commencement exercises has, from time to time, been a matter of solicitude and ex- periment with the Faculty. At first, and for many years, all the members of the graduating class were assigned to places on the programme. After a while the programme became long enough to occupy two sessions, morning and afternoon, or even two successive days. But, at last, the senior class grew too large for this arrangement; and some years ago it was decided that the number of participants in the Com- mencement exercises should be limited to fifteen. The selection is determined by the Faculty upon the equitable basis of the students' grades for the entire college course. The programme for Commencement exercises is arranged in alphabetic order, and in reverse order, o11 alternate years.
Much importance has always been placed on our system of terin and annual examinations. These were once largely oral ; and the Faculty gave special invitations to literary and professional gentlemen to witness and participate in the examinations. To this end, they early invited the Confer- ences to send special committees of examiners; but since 1856, the committees of visitors from the Conferences pro- vided for by the University charter have been charged with the function of examination as well as of visitation. The
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presence of the visitors and their participation in the examni- nations has always been a wholesome stimulus, and renders the examinations much more interesting, as well as a better test of the qualifications of the students.
COURSES OF STUDY.
At the organization of the University, there was but one course of study adopted, substantially the same as had ob- tained for generations in the usages of colleges. Its basis was the classic languages. The study of Greek and Latin occupied most of the time in the preparatory classes, half of the time in the freshman and sophomore years, and one- third of the time for the last two years of the course. And this general arrangement continued with gradual modifica- tions, till the year 1868. This, which was called the "class- ical course," or the "regular course," was the only one for which a degree was conferred. Two or three briefer courses, covering about three years' study, had, for a while, been in- stituted, and commended to such students as could not hope to complete the regular course. These were called the Scientific, the Biblical, and the Normal courses ; but to those who completed them, only a certificate of proficiency was given, and their names do not appear in the alumni cata- logue as " graduates."
But new ideas have effected some changes in the old policy of the colleges. The literary world will be slow to adınit that the broadest culture can be attained without an ac- quaintance with the classics. The classic tongues of Greece and Rome must ever continue the basis of all liberal learn- ing ; yet, in the presence of other important, though not more " practical," studies, the classics have ceased to be the sole condition of college honors. The marvellous advance in the imethods of investigating the facts of the physical
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Fifty Years of History.
world has given birth to new experimental sciences which were utterly unknown a century, or even a generation, ago. These new sciences have taken their recognized and equal place beside the old; and have opened up new, attractive, and profitable lines of study suitable for collegiate work. The old educational form and direction are changed; but the educational result is the same. The new ways are good, but they are not better than the old; they are simply dif- ferent, and offer a choice in studies. With them, the college can offer more subjects of knowledge, more and various avenues to learning, and culture, and practical fitting for life's occupations ; but it can train no better than before. The old methods and the old subjects of study made as good scholars, and as able men, as any of the later day. The claim of the later education is, that it offers a variety adapted to different tastes or inclinations, that it fits men for immediate entrance upon the several employments of life, and that by this wider range it makes mnen more versatile and capable, "with armor on the right hand and on the left." Accord- ingly in most institutions of the country, while the classics still maintain their foremost place for the "regular" course of study, a parallel course of equal or nearly equal extent has been established, with a preponderant amount of mod- ern languages, mathematics, and especially of scientific work.
For this "scientific" course, distinctive degrees have been provided. In 1868, such a course was first established in this University. It threw out the Greek language entirely, but required three years of Latin, and the study of one modern language. In addition to this concession to the new views, there was also allowed a certain amount of election in the studies of the classical course, in the sophomore and the junior years, in favor of modern languages, or additional scientific studies. This was a safe compromise ; and allowed
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a sufficient latitude, without, at the same time, prescribing a course which can be called partial, or one-sided. The de- grees given in the classical course are Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts ; in the scientific course, Bachelor and Master of Science. Both the above courses are now open to ladies; and some ladies are found in each of them; but, since the union of the schools, another course, for ladies especially, has been established, to meet the taste and wants of such as seek a thorough and liberal culture, yet do not desire to take the classical or the scientific course. It covers the same time as these, but differs from them mainly in substituting for the Greek of the classical course, and the inore extended mathematics and sciences of the scientific course, a thorough course in music, painting, drawing, and art criticism. Upon the graduates in this course is conferred the degree of Bachelor of Literature.
The limited endowment of the University has hitherto prevented the establishment of the presumptive University schools of Theology, Law, Medicine, and Technology. These will come in the course of time, and the charter of the University was specifically amended years ago (1851), so as to permit the location of our professional schools at any desirable point in the State, if not in Delaware. Yet some- thing pointing in these directions has already been accom- plished. The regular sub-graduate courses of study in the University have been so constructed as to offer a fair intro- duction to the work in the Biblical seminaries, and in the Medical and Law colleges. This work done here on the basis of academical study, amounts to at least one year's work in these several professional courses. For example : though the Holy Scriptures have a leading place in all the instruction in the University, yet the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament, and some other Biblical studies, are either
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Fifty Years of History.
prescribed for graduation, or made elective for any who are looking to the ministry. Our graduates who have taken this course here can readily enter the second year in the leading Theological seminaries. The establishment of a Theological department especially has always been contem- plated as an integral part of a University organization ; and the inatter has often been agitated in the councils of the University, or the wishes of its friends. The way to it has not yet opened ; but in 1894, the Board of Trustees voted that when four full professorships in Theology shall be en- dowed, the Board will establish these chairs, and organize the University School of Theology. Similar facilities are furnished students preparing for Medicine or Law. The college courses in Chemistry, Physiology, Histology and Hygiene, are equal to at least one year's study in these sub- jects in medical colleges ; and the course in Law, though not very extended, is an excellent preparation for the work in the Law schools. In the way of Technological instruction, the University has now well organized courses, and thor- oughly equipped laboratories in Analytical, Biological, Histo- logical, and Physical investigation and experimentation.
The University has always wished to keep its educational hold and influence over the students who have won its first honors, and promote them to the higher academic honors on the basis of further and proper studies. In accord with the standing usage of American colleges, it long gave the degree of Master of Arts, in cursu, to all Bachelors of Arts of three years' standing. Then, with more conservative action, it gave the second degree to those graduates only who mnade application for it, accompanied with evidence of continued literary or professional work of any kind. But for some years, now, it has ceased to give this degree, in cursu, or pro honore, and confers it only for specific work accomplished.
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In this intent, the University has established courses of post- graduate work, with large elective latitude, leading to the degrees of Master, and of Doctor of Philosophy. For the former degree is required one year of continuous study, or its equivalent for a longer time; and for the latter, three years of continuous study. These courses, and the examina- tions and theses required, are such as best test the candi- date's powers of application, and acquisition, and mastery of the subjects.
In the line of this action, both the trustees and the Faculty are considering the policy of abandoning all honorary de- grees; and of conferring even the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and of Doctor of Laws (unless in very exceptional instances), only for prescribed work done, or its substantial equivalent.
The Normal Department has been revived, and a fair course of study, extending through three years, has been prescribed, adapted especially to those who would fit them- selves for teaching in the common schools. It is the hope of the University to make this course both attractive and useful to this large class of youth. A professional certificate, but no degree, is given to those who complete this course.
In 1875, Professor Grove, with the approval of the Faculty, organized a battalion for elementary instruction in inilitary science. This organization was kept up for a number of years as a voluntary work on the part of instructor and students, but received no credit in the ranking of the stu- dents. The arms and other equipments were furnished by the State. But in 1890, on the application of the Board of Trustees, the Secretary of War detailed an officer of the Army as Professor of Military Science and Tactics in the University. The work in this department is now elective for three hours a week, and is open to all students, and it
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Fifty Years of History.
receives credit in the books of the University. The instruc- tion given is that of the United States Infantry and Artil- lery and Signal Corps; and the arins and accoutrements are furnished free by the War Department. The cadets wear a uniform of gray cloth, and present a very becoming appear- ance. The Faculty of the University recognize the value of military drill in its beneficial effects upon the general health of the students and in their improved bearing, in inculcating habits of neatness, obedience, and promptness, and in stimu- lating a spirit of patriotismn.
Much attention has always been given in the University to the study and practice of elocution ; and the results are seen in the successes which have marked the elocutionary exercises of the students, their oratorical contests at home, and in competition with other colleges; and in the reputation of our graduates in public professional life. From time to time different methods have been followed and excellent in- structors engaged for imparting instruction in this necessary art. As early as 1880, definite arrangements were inade with Professors Trueblood and Fulton for one terin's instruc- tion each year. This was found profitable; but owing to the brevity of the work, it was not fully satisfactory. In 1890, the Board of Trustees established the Chair of Elocution and Oratory, and filled it by the election of Professor Robert I. Fulton, securing liis services much of the year. In 1894, with the approval of the Board, the School of Oratory was separately incorporated, more thoroughily organized, and a fuller course of instruction marked out. This course prescribes continuous instruction for several years ; and tlie degree of Graduate in Oratory is given to candidates wlio complete it, if they have also attained at least senior rank in one of the college courses.
The University has also established, as the occasions have
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arisen, departments in Music, Art, and Commercial Train- ing. The first of them has developed into large proportions ; and the Conservatory of Music is well organized and suc- cessful. It is under the direction of an experienced and skillful director, assisted by a competent corps of instructors. There are facilities for training in all the lines of music, vocal and instrumental. In furtherance of this art, the in- structors and students have organized the Euterpean Music- al Union, with a hundred and thirty members, singers and performers. This society has been remarkably enthusiastic, and has supplied itself with various instruments and a good library of music; and has held some concerts of the highest order, both in Delaware and elsewhere. By these efforts it has contributed more than two thousand dollars towards the cost of the great organ in Gray Chapel. Besides the large Euterpean Society, there is a very successful and popular Glee Club, and a Mandolin Club.
The Department of Art is well organized, and instruction is given by skilled teachers in all the lines of drawing, painting, carving and decorative art.
No degrees are conferred in these departments, but to students who have completed the course, certificates of pro- ficiency are given on Commencement day, with the graduat- ing classes.
A well-regulated course of physical culture has been inarked out for the ladies, especially those at Monnett Hall, and placed in the charge of an intelligent and skillful in- structor.
The University has always maintained a Preparatory De- partment, and will probably need to maintain one for another fifty years to come. When the University began its work, there were almost no classical academies in Ohio, and few high schools in the cities, in which the classics, and German
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Fifty Years of History.
and French were taught. The University was compelled to organize a Preparatory Department for instruction in the elements of the Latin and Greek languages. We should otherwise have had no students in the "college classes." The urgency is not so great now; but the necessity of main- taining a Preparatory Department still remains. There are some classic academies in Ohio, that serve partly as feeders to the University ; and most of the high schools in the cities and large towns teach Latin, and some of them Greek; but while they furnish us some good scholars for advanced standing, most of our college students are still made in our own school. The proportion of college students in our an- nual attendance has gradually increased, from about twenty per cent. of the whole, until now, for some years past, it has been about fifty per cent. of the whole number. The prepar- atory course embraces three years of study, and is the same in substance and in thoroughness as that adopted as a con- dition of entrance in the best colleges of the country.
STUDENTS.
The table given further on shows that the catalogue en- rollment of students of the University for the first year was but I10; from which number the attendance gradually in- creased to 257 in 1850. The next year showed 506 namnes, nearly double the previous number on the University books. This sudden increase was due to the system of cheap schol- arships that year put into successful operation by the Board of Trustees. Of these, as we have seen, nearly four thousand were sold, and thus both the endowment of the University was largely increased and the circle of its patronage and use- fulness greatly widened. The movement at once called at- tention to the University. Many hundred parents were led to seek a higher education for their sons than they had be-
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fore deemed within their means ; and the thought of such a possibility was exciting the generous ambition of many young men, who had else remained content with the little education given in the common schools of their own neigh- borhood. These scholarships and others of later date are still held by thousands of families ; and have always been an incentive to large numbers to seek an education in the University. The result is, that the attendance since 1851 has always been large. At no time, not even during the dark days of the Rebellion, or of the financial collapse after- ward, has the enrollment gone as low as before the inaugu- ration of the scholarship system. Only once, in 1863, the dark year of the war, has the aggregate fallen as low as 300; and up to the union of the two schools it usually exceeded 400. After that event, the enrollment sprang at once to more than 600 ; and in two years went up to a thousand. For the last six years it has averaged about 1,150. The books of the University, including partly a conservative es- timate of the attendance, show that it has matriculated, from first to last, more than fifteen thousand students, not includ- ing the ladies enrolled in the Female College, 1853-77.
Of these, nearly 2,200, a little more than one-seventh, have remained to graduation. In these Western States, the channels of business are so wide and inviting that it is diffi- cult to induce students to stay for a degree. To this must be added the consideration that a very large number of the matriculants are poor, and are under the necessity of earning the means of support in college by manual labor or by teach- ing. It demands an extraordinary strength of character and zeal for learning, for persons, already competent to the active duties of life, to remain in school froin four to seven years. Yet, of those who have gone out under graduation, a large number took advanced courses of considerable extent. The
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-
A.J.
LYON D.D.
-
RICHARD.S.RUST LL.D.
REV
ISAAC.F.KING
Z.L.WHITE
LEROY.A.BELT D.D.
Hon J.M.PATTISON
rastees
JAMES A. FULLERTON D.D.
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Ohio Wesleyan University :
latitude of choice offered by the wide range in the several courses of study enables a student to shape his work in school with reference to his anticipated professional or business needs; and many acquire a respectable education without taking a degree.
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