Stetson Weekly Collegiate

STETSON COLLEGIATE OFFICIAL STUDENTS' PUBLICATION OF STETSON UNIVERSITY. VOL. XVII. DE LAND, FLA., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1904- NO. 8. A History of Stetson University The tiny seed of educational interest and enthusiasm from which grew this great institution of learning, Avas planted by Mr. DeLand when through his interest and energy the school Avas opened November 5, 1883 in the building Which noAV is the Southern Methodist church and Which then stood facing the Boulevard where the Baptist brick church hoaa' -stands. There Avere only thirteen in attendance that first day when Dr. J. H. Griffith from Troy, X. Y., and at that time pastor of the Baptist church, took charge as principal. The school grew rapidly all during 1883 and '84 and in the summer of 1884 Mr. DeLand erected at a cost of about $6,000 the Academy building uoav known as DeLand Hall. The faculty for the year 1884-85 Avas—Dr. .1. H. Griffith, principal; Prof. H. H. Gibbs of NeAv York, instructor in mathematics and natural science; Mrs. A. G. Hamlin in German; Greek and English literature; Mrs. Cheney, music; Mrs. C. Reynolds Smith, elocution and Miss Mollie Terry in the preparatory department. The following description of the building we quote from a January (1885) issue of a DeLand paper. "The building is two story with a belfry. The ground floor has six rooms the chapel being the largest, size ;>lx4l .feet. The remaining five are used for recitation and class rooms, cloak room, library, office, etc. There are four rooms on the second floor: the largest being directly over the chapel. The smaller rooms will be used for recitation, music, chemical apparatus, geological specimens, etc. The building is finished beautifully Inside with curly pine and is plastered. The attendance last session from October to the holidays averaged sixty-five but probably will be increased this term." In the fall of '8.1, the beginning of the second session in the Academy, Dr. J. F. Forbes took charge as principal and the school continued to grow with amazing rapidity. Soon it Avas found necessary for the best interests of the school to incorporate it as a University under the hnvs of Florida. Mr. De- Land had a charter prepared and sent Mr. A. G. Hamlin to Tallahassee to get the act of incorporation through the legislature. In April 1887 the legislature passed an act granting the charter to DeLand FniA'ersitA' and giving it all the powers and privileges granted to any corporation. On the next April, just a year later, the name Avas officially changed to John R. Stetson University. In this same year Mr. C. T. Sampson gave to the University the beginning of the fine library, which all the University students are uoav enjoying, and endow- ed it besides. It A\Tas in February at the annual meting of the trustees that a resolution of thanks to Mr. Sampson Avas passed and the library officially named the Sampson Library. Vesper Service. CNIiss Palmer lead Vespers Sunday afternoon. Several hymns Avere sung and a scripture lesson read and then the Vesper choir sang a special selection. Miss Palmer read the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount and then related the following incident of her early childhood. Her Sunday school teacher, she said, AAras an adArocate of memorizing a great deal of scripture for Sunday school lessons and as a mental stimulus offered a prize to the one who learned the most verses. Miss Palmer said she chose the Beatitudes because they are short and she has always remembered them. The one which made the deepest impression AA'as the sixth "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Her understanding of it then was, that by liAdng a good pure life here she would after deatli be permitted to see God in Heaven. But mature years gave her a broader conception of its meaning She said. "It applies to the present life as Avell as the future. If aa'o have pure hearts and think pure thoughts we can see Cod every day manifested in Nature and also in the lives and characters of our fellows. If our lives are evil Ave see evil, for often all life as we see it is principally a reflection of ourselves. Then there is our influence upon others. Are Ave always doing all Ave can to help others to see God? Bight here and hoaa* in our school life let us ever remember to show to others by our daily lives our deeds, our words, that He dwelleth in ns." Then Miss Palmer offered a short earnest prayer asking God to grant to each one, grace to live such a life that Ave may see Him here and hereafter and lend a helping hand to our fellowmen. Alumni. (Contributions are essential to the success of tins Department.) 1890.—Gertrude C. McNeil has made her home in Mossy Creek, Term., since leaving Stetson University. She is now iHarriel to Harvey Aitkin Sizer and lives at Cumberland Gap. She sends best wishes for success to the Collegiate. 1801.—William !■:. Thomas. M. I)., graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia. New York, in 1895, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Brooklyn. 1901.—Leighton II. Forbes is hoaa- with the Fa stern Electric Co., in New York. He will return after a years* work to Rochester for post-graduate work in physics, making electricity a specialty in his life work. 1902.—Miss Helen Forbes is to be married after the holidays. Chaudoin. Reception. The Chaudoin ladies hope to see all their friends at the regular monthly (ailing time, namely, next Monday evening. All avIio went last time report an enjoyable eArening. Ed. Note—We trust the young men understand that the "Chaudoin ladies" meant above, are the teachers. Pray do not make the mistake of thinking that the Wednesday Social Hour has been changed. Class Party of Academy, J 905 The Academy Seniors had their first class party last Friday night, Nov. 25th, and it Avas pronounced a hoAvling success by all participants. We regret that those members of the class who are inmates of Chaudoin Avere not permitted to join us, but Ave thoroughly appreciated their loyal yells from the third story AA'indoAA's as Ave passed by. The class Avas entertained by Miss Ethel Bouchelle at her home on North Boulevard. Not Avith standing the State Fair at Tampa, ThanksgiAring home-going and the "new rules," there Avere fourteen lucky members present. Namely: Mr. Blocker, the class president, Miss Coulter, secretary; Misses. Moffatt, Lollard, Kennedy, Bradley, .Sheddan, Pelton, Bouchelle and Dickinson; Messrs. Blake, WoodAvard, Harold Smith and Allen. The eATening Avas just cool enough to make the walk out highly enjoyable, and a big full moon was ordered especially for the occasion. The social committe deserves a great deal of credit for the delightful manner in AAdiich it carried out the programme of the evening. Many games were played and excitement! rose so high that Mi'. Allen even forgot his ciutches. Towards the end of the evening lemonade and various kinds of cake, nuts and butter-nut fudge were served and, needless to say, enjoyed. Finally, AATe reluctantly took our departure and the walk home played no small part in the enjoyment of the evening. - At the next class party we hope the entire tAventy-six may be present. Then Miss Jackson, the class scribe, may try her pen. Caps and Gowns. Did you see the Seniors Monday morning at Chapel? Well they were conspicuous enough I'm sure. We would wager that with the exception of one or two of the student body, whom AA'e could name, not a single one knew what Prof. Frost read as the Scripture lesson. Their entrance was impressive too. At the moment the organ began the strains of "Holy, Holy, Holy," the east door of the chapel Avas thrown open and in marched the dignified young people. Regardless of the thunderous applause they serenely marched down and took their seats on the east side of the hall Avhere rtegularly none but visitors sit. They threaten to Avear their gowns systematically this year in order to sot a glowing example for the modest Juniors. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen. We ^certainly hope that Stetson people are capable of keping up a general custom. N. B.—Mri Baerecke Avishes to state that he did not wear the tassel on the Junior side, out of ignorance, but that in his nerATous haste his trembling head shook it over. More People Wonder. To the author of "We Avonder Why," in basket ball. The marvel is not that Ave do so little, but that AA'e have done so much. We Avonder who but determined college girls would struggle against such odds, for athletics of any kind. Hoav many enthusiastic football men would Stetson have if they could never have games with another college and had to depend on the second team for all their match games'? Hoav many boys would go over to the gym. and work wory night to learn to play a game without a coach? Is there any legitimate reason why girls shouldn't have as much fresh air in their games as boys? Plenty of loyal Stetson girls paid their .$2.00 to the Athletic Association and became members thereof. Much as they enjoy watching the men play ball and win honor for their college, are those same girls getting their money's worth in proportion to what the men get out of it? If .nirls can not play on the tennis courts with men. AA'hy can't they have a court reserved for them? Many longing eyes travel to those tAVO tennis courts, filled with players of the fortunate other sex. >Ye are not deploring their privileges. We're glad they have them, and know they can stand up for themselves, but athletics is as much a part of a girl's college life as is her scholastic education. We have equal training with men in the class room, why can't we have it in other lines as well. To work to hold a team of girls together under such conditions, requires much determination. That they hftA*e so far succeeded is an occasion for praise. And we believe that the college students, men and girls stand by this statement. When the town people and those unofficially connected with the school, cease criticising every new attempt on the part of the girls along athletic lines, Ave will feel freer to act. New Athletic Officers. Monday noon, the Athletic Association held a meeting in the Auditorium. Several new officers were elected. F. W. Botts was chosen president, A. J. Loamy, Jr., vice-president, Walter Sparkman secretary and treasurer. Jack Sams Avas re-elected football manager, since he had so efficiently served the University in the season just passed. By special A'ote of the Association, Mr. Underhill AAras aAATarded a football "S" in return for his AA'illing seiwices during the Avhole football season. The other men avIio haA'e gainod"S's" this year are. Gannon, Mace, Mcllvaine. F. Pounds, Ed. Mickle and Wilder. Organ Recital. The second of the series of free monthly organ recitals will be given in the Auditorium on Friday afternoon, December 2. from 4:30 to 5:15. A ATery pleasing programme AAdll be giA-en by Mr. Morse. aaJio Avill play with Other numbers, one of his oaatu compositions, and Semmen's fantasia "The Storm." Oberlin AAras the first college in the world to admit Avomen to the same place as men.