USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Delaware > Fifty years of history of the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio : 1844-1894 > Part 6
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It has already been stated that, while the tuition fees were fixed at the low rate of thirty dollars a year, yet, after the first few years, all the students have been on scholarships, and have paid no tuition fees for the required academic studies. But small fees have been charged for the elective Art studies (Music and Painting), Elocution, Laboratory work, and Commercial instruction. For these extra studies, the total receipts in 1893-94 were just $12,000, which barely paid the expenditures for the several departments namned. Charges for tuition such as are customary in the great East- ern schools, ranging from $100 a year to $150, would wholly exclude a majority of our students from the privileges of the University. It is a matter of just pride to the University that it puts an education within the reach of every worthy person ; and the Ohio Wesleyan has never turned any student from her doors because he was unable to pay for the instruction that he desired. The only charge to the students is a small fee towards meeting the incidental expenses of the institu- tion, for repair and care of buildings, fuel, light, water, jani- tors, insurance, printing, etc. Even this fee was for many years only nominal, and has never met the expenditures. It is now ten dollars a term ; but a great many beneficiaries, students preparing for the ministry, sons and daughters of ministers, and special cases, have a reduction of one-half of this amount. The actual receipts on this account last year were almost $15,000; but the actual cost to the University was nearly $18,000.
With a large number of persons, the question of personal
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expenses decides the question of a college education. For- tunately the condition of things here favors young people who need to practice economy. The cost of living was at first very moderate ; and competition has kept the cost of boarding in private families within reasonable limits. Be- sides, a large number of the students, for economy's sake, have boarded themselves, or united in students' clubs. For- tunately, the moral and intellectual surroundings here have prevented any social ostracisin. Wealth and extravagance do not give position in this school. Here, as well as else- where, it has been found that cheap living and high think- ing inay go together. It has not been the policy of the school to have a system of "College Commons." A few students were, at first, allowed to room in the college build- ing; but finally all found rooms and boarding in the town. This scattering of the students, apart from one another, is in the interest of order and studious habits ; it keeps the stu- dents under family influences, and brings the citizens into kind relations with the institution.
In addition to the routine of college life and work, the students have shown much interest in voluntary organiza- tions for literary, forensic, social, or physical culture. The gentlemen have organized eight literary societies. Of these, four are confined to the college classes: the Zetagathean, founded in 1845 ; the Chrestomathean, in 1846; the Athen- ian, in 1851 ; the Amphictyonian, in 1886; and four are made up of members from the Preparatory classes : the Mel- eterian, founded in 1866; the Philomathean, in 1873; the Calagonian, in 1887; and the University Lyceum, in 1889. The ladies of Monnett Hall have three literary societies, in which membership is not restricted to any particular college classes : the Clionian, organized in 1857 ; the Athenaeum, in 1861; and the Castalian, in 1889. These literary societies
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are sustained with spirit and generous rivalry, and are of much value in the literary and forensic culture of their members. They have fine, tastefully furnished halls; and the older societies were for a long time, also engaged in ac- cumulating libraries, but have recently abandoned these, in view of the unrestricted privileges of the University library.
The Greek-letter societies, or inter-collegiate fraternities, are represented in this institution by nine chapters. These associations are held in great esteem by the members ; but it has long been a mnooted point among educators, whether they are not, on the whole, injurious to the students, preju- dicial to the literary societies, and an obstacle to college dis- cipline. Some years since, the Board of Trustees, under this conviction, ordered their discontinuance after a certain time, but subsequently rescinded its action. It is but just, however, to say that, with some probable exceptions, the fraternity members have exercised over each other a salutary and helpful influence.
The following fraternities have chapters in Delaware: the Beta Theta Pi, established in 1853 ; the Sigina Chi, in 1855; the Phi Delta Theta, in 1860; the Phi Kappa Psi, in 1861 ; the Delta Tau Delta, in1 1866; the Phi Gamma Delta, in 1869; the Chi Phi, in 1873; the Alpha Tau Omega, in 1887, and the Sigina Alpha Epsilon, in 1888.
The Oratorial Association of the University was established in 1880, and has done much towards quickening and main- taining an ambition for excellence in public speaking. The association has had annual contests, participated in by select representatives from the several literary societies ; and the speakers winning the first honors here have represented the University in the State inter-collegiate contests. In five instances our representatives have won the State honors.
For many years there was a Lecture Association among
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the students, that maintained an annual course of lectures, varied with inusical entertainments. In these lists were in- cluded many of the most distinguished lecturers of this coun- try and of Great Britain. The profits arising from these courses were usually devoted by the Association to some general University interest. For some years past, the man- agement of the lecture course has been remitted to the sen- ior class for each year, and the profits go to the class expenses at Commencement.
Political clubs representing the great national parties and policies have been organized among the students, and have been sustained with enthusiasm during the seasons for polit- ical campaigns, State or National. The contending organi- zations are zealous, but carry on their work without partisan rancor or estrangement towards their fellows.
In 1888, the students took up among themselves a sub- scription of about $800, for a gymnasium. The Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, of the class of 1872, added $2,000 to this amount. The total cost of the building was $5,000, the bal- ance being paid from the general fund of the University. The gymnasium was equipped with the needful apparatus, but has not been as successful or useful as was hoped, for the want of a competent trainer, who could devote his time to this much-needed work.
The Athletic Association of the students was formed in 1890, and has been carried on with characteristic interest in the games that are played, if not in the exercise that is obtained. The University has appropriated two acres for this purpose, and the Association has fenced the grounds, and graded the surface, and erected a grand stand, for specta- tors. The cost of these improvements, borne by the Associ- ation, is about $2,000. The " teams " for base-ball and foot- ball are diligent in drill, and have played many successful,
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and some unsuccessful games, on our own grounds, and else- where. These grounds are used, also, as parade grounds for the University Battalion.
The first students' college paper was started in 1866 by Joseph B. Battelle, of the class of 1868. It was called by him The Western Collegian, under which name it was published for seven years. Its form was then changed, and it was called The College Transcript. The editors, mem- bers of the senior class for the current year, are elected by their fellows, and have the financial responsibility for the paper. In 1874, the ladies of the senior class at Monnett were admitted to a representation in the editorial corps. The Practical Student was started in 1888 by Wilbur F. Cope- land, of the class of 1889. Both papers are now issued weekly, and have a good circulation among the alumni and students.
ALUMNI.
The Association of Alumni was forined in 1849. The number of Alumni was then but twenty-two; it has now reached as many hundred. All graduates in cursu are eligi- ble to membership, and all students who have studied in the University three years and have afterward received an hon- orary degree. In 1872, the Association, with the cordial consent of the Board of Trustees, was admitted, under a gen- eral law of the State, enacted in their interest, to a repre- sentation in the Board equal to that of each patronizing annual Conference. The Alumni are destined here, as in the older colleges of the country, to become eventually the great controlling power in the institution. Fifteen of the number already hold seats in the Board ; inost of the positions in the Faculty are held by graduates; two of their number, Mr. Wright and Dr. Hartupee, have endowed chairs in their Alma Mater; another, Mr. Mast, has given almost an equal
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amount for general purposes, and still others have together partly endowed another chair-the Alumni Chair of Natural History. These are evidently but the beginnings of things in this direction. Most of the graduates are yet young men, and have not risen to wealth or to commanding place ; but, before another half a century shall have passed, they will have both wealth and place, and will use them in the interests of the University.
Regard for the Alma Mater has in all colleges been a family tradition ; it strengthens with successive generations. This is the source of growth and power in the older colleges. The sons of the family, the benefactions of the family, are the inheritance of the college where the father graduated. It will be so here. Already inany sons of the older gradu- ates have been enrolled among the Alumni beside their fathers. Besides these, many families have each had several children as students who have not become graduates.
The Alumni have an " Alumni Day," Wednesday of Com- mencement week, set apart for their formal sessions, and for public exercises ; and they are represented on this day by an oration from one of their number, chosen by theni- selves.
The local Alumna of the Ohio Wesleyan Female College early organized an association for social culture, mutual hielp, and for aid to the College. These ladies, and such of the more recent graduates of the University as have joined them, still keep up their organization, with interest and profit to themselves, and with great benefit to their Alma Mater. We have seen that before the union they raised two thousand dollars for the library of the Female College. Their special effort now is to raise five thousand dollars to meet their sub- scription for the great University organ.
The Alumni of the University, gentlemen and ladies, have
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formed University clubs in several of the prominent localities of the State, and elsewhere, for the cultivation of the social amenities, for mutual professional support, and for the pro- motion of the interests of the University. The clubs at Cin- cinnati, Cleveland, and Zanesville, in Ohio, and at St. Paul, in Minnesota, and some others, may be named among the most enterprising and successful. Some of these clubs have begun to contribute to the material help, as well as the repu- tation of the University.
The Alumni have made their mark in the professions, in political life, and in literature. In the last direction, the University Alcove at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago had a very gratifying collection, though not complete, of the books written by the Alumni of the Ohio Wesleyan. The catalogue is not large yet, but it is annually growing, and it already covers a good list of titles in almost all the depart- ments of thought, art, and science.
CONVOCATION.
In the year 1847, the Faculty, with a view to greater delib- eration and circumspectness in conferring the honors of the University, and the better to accredit these honors to the public, invited the counsel and co-suffrage of all the University Alumni of the second degree and of all who had received honorary degrees from the University. This body, sitting in conjunction with the Faculty, was called the Uni- versity Convocation ; and with it rested the responsibility of passing upon all nominations proposed by the Faculty for literary degrees. The system worked well for a few years ; but when the number entitled to seats in the Convocation became large, it was found impossible to convene them, or to secure their suffrages, and the Convocation was discon- tinued.
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FACULTY.
The number of teachers was from the first too small for the work imposed on them; and the increase in the number of students and the multiplication of classes necessarily brought increase in the Faculty. In the academic course of study, a few generations ago, attention was devoted entirely to the Languages and Mathematics. These, with their sub- divisions, constituting the trivium and the quadrivium of the old universities, embraced about all the matters of human knowledge that could then be made subsidiary to the end of school discipline. But, in our own century, the marvelous development of the Physical Sciences has opened a wide and profitable field of study, both for knowledge and discipline ; and the modern colleges have recognized the rightful place of these subjects as a part of the academic curriculum. The first appointments to the Faculty were to the two first-named chairs, Languages and Mathematics; but, at the opening of the second year, the claims of the other large class of sciences were recognized by the establishment of a chair of Natural Science. This was filled by the appointment of the Rev. Frederick Merrick as its incumbent. Before the end of the year, Dr. Thomson assumed his place as President and Professor of Philosophy. These six men were not a large force for a college Faculty, but they were able to give instruction in each of the great departments of study ; and no class has been graduated from the University without, at least, some instruction in all the subjects whichi go to make a complete and symmetric culture. The first graduating classes were, of course, small; and by the time the classes had grown to a respectable size, the number of departments of instruction had also been increased, either by the subdivision of the former chairs, or by the addition of new ones.
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The University has been fortunate in the selection of its Presidents. There have been four Presidents. We give a brief sketch of each of the distinguished men who have filled this office: 1. The Rev. Edward Thomson, M. D., D. D., LL. D. He was born in 1810, at Portsea, England ; but by growth and education he was an American. His home from early youth was at Wooster, Ohio. He received a good classical training, and afterward graduated in medicine at Philadelphia. In 1832, he entered the ministry, in the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at once became noted for his ability as a preacher and a writer. In 1838, he was chosen principal of the Norwalk Seminary, the first Methodist school in the State of Ohio. His success here established his reputation as an educator, and pointed him out as the fittest man for the presidency of the Univer- sity, to which position he was elected first in 1842, and again in 1844. In the Spring of the last-named year, he was elected editor of the Ladies' Repository, in Cincinnati, but resigned this office after two years' service, to assume the active duties of his position at Delaware. For fourteen years he filled and graced this office. No college president in the Church has shown larger administrative abilities, or won a more enviable place in the affections and admiration of college and Church alike. In 1860, he was called by the General Conference to edit the Christian Advocate, in New York; and again, in 1864, to the higher office of bishop in the Church. He died suddenly in Wheeling, W. Va., March 22nd, 1870.
President Thomson taught but little during his connection with the University. He usually had the senior class in one study, but he found his happiest field of instruction and in- fluence in the Sunday lectures before the University. It was here that he made his wonderful power felt, and left the
L.D.
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LLD.
EDWARD THO
FREYDENTS
Ph.D.D.D.
JAMES.W.
CHARLES
YNE
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lasting impress of his thought and spirit on his rapt listeners. His lectures, whether written or extemporized, were models of sacred eloquence, worthy of any audience for their depth, beauty and fervor. Bishop Thomson's publications are numerous, and his literary remains yet in manuscript are very extensive.
2. The Rev. Frederick Merrick, M. A. He was born Janu- ary 29th, 1810, a native of Massachusetts, and was educated in the Wesleyan University, Connecticut. In 1836, he became principal of Amenia Seminary, New York, and in 1838, pro- fessor of Natural Science in Ohio University, Athens, and member of the Ohio Conference. For one year, 1842-43, lie was pastor of the Methodist Church in Marietta. In 1843, the Conference appointed him financial agent of the Ohio Wesleyan University, to which institution he thereafter devoted his life for fifty-one years.
In 1845, he was elected professor of Natural Sciences, and was made acting President for the year, until Dr. Thomson entered upon duty. In 1851, he was transferred to the chair of Moral Philosophy; and, on the resignation of President Thomson, in 1860, he was chosen as his successor. He held this office for thirteen years; and then, in 1873, in view of fail- ing strength, he resigned the presidency, and was appointed lecturer on Natural and Revealed Religion. This relation to the college he sustained for twenty-one years, until his death. In addition to his other duties, President Merrick was Auditor of the University for nearly forty years, and often acted as its agent in raising the endowment, or in get- ting funds for improvements upon the buildings and grounds. He died March 5th, 1894.
President Merrick's life as an educator was one of marked excellence and influence. His interest in young people and his sympathy with them in their work were unbounded. As
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a teacher, his enthusiasm and devotion knew no limit. As a man of affairs, he possessed rare foresight, wisdom, and efficiency. His consecration, self-sacrifice, and generosity to the institution, of which he was so great a part, were complete. By his Christian zeal, earnest appeals, spiritual leadership, and saintly character, he moved multitudes to a Christian life and by the cultivation of a missionary spirit among the students, his influence has been felt to the ends of the earth, through those whom he inspired to go thither. Among all who knew him his presence was felt as a bene- diction, and the example of his daily life as an inspiration to a stronger Christian manhood. And the wise provision which he made in the "Merrick Lectures before the Uni- versity," for the stated inculcation of religious principles and practice, will perpetuate his influence in the University, the Church, and the world.
After President Merrick's resignation, the Rev. Fales H. Newhall, D. D., of Boston, was elected to the presidency ; but, from prostration induced by intense and continued liter- ary work, he was unable to enter upon duty, and resigned his office the following year. Dr. Newhall died April 6th, 1883. The University meanwhile, and until the accession of his successor, was for three years successfully administered by Professor McCabe, the senior professor and Vice-Presi- dent of the University.
3. The Rev. Charles H. Payne, D. D., LL. D. President Payne was born at Taunton, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1856 at the Wesleyan University, Connecticut. He taught several terms in his early years, and was tutor for six months after graduation, but spent most of his life in the ministry. A vigorous thinker, an accomplished speaker and writer, and a devoted pastor, he served some of the leading Methodist Churches in Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Cincin-
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nati. It was from this last city that he was called to the presidency of the University in 1875. He took his seat the following year. His administration began in the gloomiest days of financial depression ; but the growth of the Univer- sity during his administration was rapid and great. A quick- ened interest for the University was felt throughout the Church; the patronizing Conferences were stimulated to renewed efforts for the endowment; the school was adver- tised on a much more liberal scale than before; the area of its patronage greatly enlarged ; and, not least, the Univer- sity and the Female College were united. This measure, which had long been advocated and promoted by many friends of both schools, was at length accomplished in 1877. As the result of all these influences, both the enrollment and the income of the University were doubled in a few years, and the endowment largely increased. Dr. Payne was always alert for the interests of the University. It was dur- ing his administration that the beautiful President's house was built, in 1885, (on a lot given by Mr. Mast), at a cost of ten thousand dollars. Dr. Payne remained President for thirteen years, until his election by the General Conference to the office of Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Education.
4. The Rev. James W. Bashford, Ph. D., D. D., was born in Wisconsin. He graduated at the University of Wisconsin in 1873, and was elected Tutor in Greek. He took post- graduate courses in the Boston University, in Theology, Oratory, and Philosophy, completing these courses in 1879. In 1880, and again in 1887, Dr. and Mrs. Bashford spent many months abroad, traveling and visiting the German universities. His pastoral work began while he was a stu- dent in the School of Theology; and he here revealed the characteristics that were to make his ministry so marked a
REV. JAMES W. BASHFORD, PH. D., D. D.
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success. He subsequently filled leading pastorates in Port- land and Buffalo. He declined repeated invitations to pro- fessorships and to the presidency of colleges, but in 1889 accepted his election to the presidency of the Ohio Wesleyan University as a call from God.
President Bashford's genial personal qualities, and his remarkable ability and versatility in the class-room, in the religious culture of the students, and in the management of affairs, give him a strong hold on the University. During the six years since liis administration began, the growth of the school has been rapid, constant, and gratifying. Its scholastic, religious, and material interests were never more promising. The courses of study have been reconstructed, the work better digested and distributed, the Faculty strengthened, the number of students greatly enlarged, the buildings doubled in extent and convenience, the endow- ment increased one-third, and much more promised, and the religious tone of the school intensified.
The professors who have held chairs in the University are the following :
The Rev. Herman M. Johnson, D. D., was born in Otsego county, N. Y., November 25th, 1815. He graduated at the Wesleyan University, Connecticut, in 1839; and before com- ing to Delaware had held the chair of Ancient Languages in St. Charles College, Missouri, and in Augusta College, Ken- tucky. In 1844, he was elected Professor of Ancient Lan- guages and Literature in the Ohio Wesleyan University. Prof. Johnson had abilities as an instructor of the first order. His mind was analytic ; he had remarkable talent to explain and illustrate the subjects that he taught, and his scholar- ship was broad and thorough. Yet, perhaps, his greatest service here was in planning our system of cheap scholar- ships. After six years' tenure here, he accepted the Pro-
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fessorship of Philosophy in Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, and, in 1860, was raised to the Presidency. In this office he died April 5th, 1868.
The Rev. Solomon Howard, D. D., LL. D., was born in Cincinnati, November 11th, 1811, and graduated at Augusta College, Kentucky. He was a pastor for some years in the Ohio Conference ; and in 1842, was appointed to the charge of a preparatory school in Delaware, before the opening of the University. He was here two years, and at the organi- zation of the Faculty, in 1844, he was elected Professor of Mathematics, but held the office for only one year. He was subsequently Principal of the Springfield Female College ; and, in 1852, became President of the Ohio University at Athens. He resigned in 1872, and died at San Jose, Cal., June 9th, 1873.
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