New-York tribune., 1873-07-04
UNION COLLEGE.

YIsIT OF A GRADUATE or SIXTY YEARS AGO-CoN-
soIDATION WITH TIE ALBANY INSTITUTIONS.
IRON THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT or The TBIBUNE.l
SCHENECTADY, n. Y, July "A very inter
esting incident occurred az the Commencement exer-
cses to-day, known perhaps 10 but few. While the
members Of the college taking their places, one OF
the professors esped very aged gentleman, evidently
feeble TO have borne the fgues OF the long march
from the campus the First Reformed Church 10 the
city making his way along with the help OF his STAN
Going to him, he discovered that the gentleman DR..
Kian " r. lansing physician Of the City Of Albany,
who graduated at this college in lSl3axty years ago
There not many colleges in our country which can
look back to 80 long period for their history and
fewer s that welcome at their anniversary gath
erings who have been 10 tue world Of prac-
tGal activity for threescore years. But the day
was an Opportune one for Or. Lansing's visit.
Two years ago as every person have
talked with reminds me two years ago, II would
have been Of but little satisfaction to al alunus Of tue
early days OF President Mott TO have revisited the
scenes OF that great educators a0or FOR the death OF
the President and the difficulties OF adapting new ad
mnstration to the needs OF the college caused inter
regnum OF no little disadvantage. But within that
period everything has taken new life President
Potter was most cordially chosen, aud under his ad
ninstration the affairs OF the college have abundanty
prospered TO the satisfaction Of corporation, officers
alumni, students, and townsfok. year ago the ven
erabe corpOration-hithert0 close one, filing It's
own yaeancesadopted the favofito mode IN these days
OF giving the alumni representation In the government
OF the institution another advance most cordially re-
ceived and highly beneficial -Four members OF the
Sociey of Alumni elected 10 trusteeships TO serve
one two, three, and four respectively. viz H. j.
King, ]. A. DE Remeg, s. b. BrOwnell and Chas f.
Smith. Mr. King has just been reelected TO serve the
long term
In the city OF his residence and practice, Dr. Lansing
has seen grow up medical school Of 10 little eminence
called old by many, though more than 20 years psJD
more modern than his diploma. There also has been es
tabshed school Of law, and there too the weknown
Dudley obseryntOryboth dating from 1851 though the
Observatory was not formally inaugurated till 1856
During the second year OF the administration OF the
schenectady College plan oegsn TO appear proposing
the combination OF this aud those institutions a. one
University under general charter on the 29tb OF
November, 1872 meeting was held at the Albany Med
zeal College, the Hon Ira Harris IN the chair ana ad
dressed at length by President Potter and others rela
tive TO this proposed union Tne result was the adoption
Of resolution that the plan presented Dy FieSGeht
Potter approved and submitted 70 the several boards OF
Of the institutions named for their eonsdera
toD, the basis OF the proposed eonsondaOb 10 Oe tns
the said college departments and schools reserve all
their corporate nights aud powers and be grouped TO-
| State Of New-York" II also resolved aud subse
queny acted on, that President Potter should az ei
offcio President Of the university deliver the ad
dress at the medical commencement In Albany, Dec 20
1872 And then tho trustees OF tho three Albany situ
tlons together Nov 40. and ratified the action pre-.
yiously taken. Recenty-only month or TWO ago-the
cnarter. Thus the graduate OF 1913, coming up to the
sixtieth commencement after his graduation hnds the
| Old college growing and spreading combined i'll
dependent aud integral part OF university with three
! past graduate colleges situated III city many miles
! distant.
The consolidation has certainly the merit OF elevatng
TO q university rank no feeble moround institution
OF consolidating together those which seemed
too strong be occupying their ANOMALOUS positions or
independence from tae university system The citizens
OF New.York State eertsnly may fayorably compare
the university with the one which bears the name
of the State and is mainly composed Of board OF re-
gents At all events the people Of both cities seem TO
have given the new movement their cordial support as
the large aud interested audience OF to-day have tes
fled. ExGOy. seymour's address mainly historical
reoOuntng the past proceedings OF Eew-York State ed
ucators OF whOse this consolidation to-day seems
to him but the crOwning act The only degrees an.
nounced at the Commencement two DOctOrates Of
Laws: one TO exGov, Seymour, and the other 20 the
present Governor, John A. DIX.