Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-04-22
DELAWARE COLLEGE.
First Report of the New President
of Delaware College. the Rev. DIR.
CaidweI1-Ehe Classical, scientific
and Agricultural Courses.

To he President and Members of he
Board Of Trustees of Deld,pdre College.
GENTLRMES.--I submit to you my first re.
/ port as president of this Institution. My
worthy predecessor, Hon. William II. Pur-
nell, LII. D., after successful admihistr.l-
| ton Of 10 years, retired at the close OF the
last collegiate year with the deserved re-
| speet and praise OF all who knew him IN
his personal and oiSssial relations.
1t was an unexpected event when his
mantle fell on me, and shall deem myself
fortunate II my administration proves as
successful as his.
For nearly two months after my election
to the presidency OF the college was
necessarily engaged in the performance of
duties which hindered me from doing all
that desired to do for the benefit Of the
institution.
When 1 took charge was gratifled to see
the improvements which had been made
during the vacation. They consist of an
enlarged oratory, two large rooms for
chemical laboratories, six new dormitorlrs,
new floors throughout large portion OF
the building, and the entire ediflee newly
painted. In a short time the old, diiapi-
dated paling was replaced by a handsome
iron fence. The facilities for college pur-
poses have been increased by these i'm
proyements, and the whole structure and
premises appear to be renewed with an air
Of freshness and beauty. Many new students
ought now to be attracted to tho classic
shades OF this institution. II is more tlinu
it half century old, and includes among lis
alumni a number of our countryH"u. who
hive attained to high positions o. ivnoruhd
trust.
The first term of this eollopiats year
opened on the I'd day OF September, AMI
since then IA new students have matricu-
lated.
have endeavored, with the assistance OF
other members of the faculty, to so admin-
lister the government as to secure the most
salutary results, both for the reputation of
the college and the good of the students.
There has been no disorder of fragrant
character; none, In fact, but such as is
common in institutions Of this kind. A few
attempts at hazlng occurred In the early
part of the first term, but they were
promptly suppressed, and q few other
slight disorders were met with timely re-
buke and effeetually cured. In some in
stances disorder marks have been remitted
by unanimous consent of the faculty, when
the subsequent department Of students so
marked gave assurance of satisfactory i'm
provement. In all my efforts TO secure
good government and prompt attention to
duty, have beenwarmly supported by the
whole faculty. 1t has been our aim to Inn |
press students with sense of honor and |
true manliness, thus stimulating them to |
become "a law unto themselves" Young |
men gathered from different localities, with |
youthful blood stirred by new scenes and
associations, are apt to forget the whole
some checks imposed upon them at home, |
until, by experience and faithful training,
they learn the duty of self-restraint Even |
then the infusion of one bad example can |
be cOunteracted only by eeaseless vigilance
on the part of instructors, and such vigil
lance we are endeavoring to exercise.
You will see by the new catalogue which |
= II
been raised higher in some respects, and |
that few other necessary changes have |
been made. The principle Of co-education |
having been abandoned by resolution Of |
the board, the department of literature, as |
u separate and lower course of study, has |
been eliminated. We still have three |
classical, the scientific and |
the agricultural. The last, as the bylaws |
require, is for three years, and the standard |
for admission Is lower than In either OF |
the others, so that pupils coming from |
the common schools OF the State, with the |
requisite qualifications, may he admitted |
into this course. 1t embraces the study of |
English literature, applied mathematics, the |
natural sciences, chemistry and agriculture. |
| requested Prof. Chester, who has charge |
of the department of geology and agricul- |
ture, to draw up a paper, which isherewith |
submitted, from which you will see that |
special pains will be taken in the agricul- |
tural course to make it all the farming IN |
terests of the State can require of us under |
existing circumstances. Respectfully sub |
mitted. j. II. CALDWELL,
President