The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
VASSAR.
Her Influence at Home and AbrOad-Dis.
tinguished Graduates and Members Of
the Faculty,

the Faculty.
In September. 1865. Vassar offered to
women a higher education. The aim
of Matthew Vassar, in founding the
college, was to give woman what her
brothers were receiving from Yale and
Harvard. A few women of mature
thought waiting for just this oppor-
tunity entered the college at once. As
there were few schools capable of pre-
pairing girls for this higher course,
Vassar was obliged to establish a pre-
paratory school. Now. through Vas
sar's influence in the private schools
of the country, this department has
been abolished. In 1885, 275 names
We're registered. In the catalogue of
1895 there were 4S5 of collegiate grade.
Two hundred and fifty students ap-
piled for admission this last year. I'm
fortunately, for the want of dormi-
tories. all could not he received. Vas
sar has graduated twenty nine clesses.
The first class in the year 1867 num-
bered four members. The class of '95
enrolled one hundred. In all 1882
graduates have been sent out from the
college. Because of its large member
ship Vassar exercises almost a domi-
mating influence upon the Association
Of College Alumnae.
About seventy Vassar women have
received higher degrees. Fifty have
received the degree of A. M; eight the
degree of Phi. D., five of them from
Yale; three the degree of s. Il. Unsti-
tute of Technology): two that of LII.
b., and one that of LII. d.
Mary Scott, of &c received from Yale
one of the two fellowships given to
women and the degree of Phi. d. Yale
speaks of the Vassar graduate as be-
ing especially we'll fitted to carry on
the work Of that college.
The degree Of doctor of philosophy
with honor has just been granted by
Heidelberg university to Miss G. T..
Morrill,.
Miss Morrill, was graduated from
Vassar fourteen years ago and taught
in various women's colleges until Oc-
tOber, 1893. when she went to Europe
for further study. Vassar had made
her master of arts in 1SS9 She was
permitted to attend lectures in Zurich,
Leipzig and Berlin, but denied en-
rollment. The celebrated Professor
Lupitska, Of Berlin university, head Of
the English department there and
since dead. becoming interested in her.
sent her to his friend. DIR. Schick. Of
Heidelberg university. last autumn,
where, at last. graduation was prom
ised her, an honor allowed to but one
woman before her, while she is the
first American woman to obtain a de-
gree. Miss Morrill, expects to return
home early in the summer and will
teach the languages at Vassar this
coming year.
Vassar graduates are now studying
for advanced degrees at Radcliffe, Yale
and In the foreign universities of Held
elberg, Leipzig, Gottingen, Geneva,
Dresden and Brussels. Four Vassar
women hold fellowships in the Univer-
sity of Chicago. There are seven more
who are now studying medicine at the
Johns Hopkins and the New York
Medical College and at Chicago and
Michigan universities.
Vassar women have entered nearly
all the professions. They have at
tained success as teachers, authors,
editors, physicians, farmers and art
lists.
Mrs. Frances Fisher Wood, Of "a.
has made herself known in several
ways. She Is the proprietor Of a herd
of Jerseys and manufactures a choice
brand of sterilized milk Mrs. Wood
Is considered an expert in all matters
pertaining to Oriental art She is
frequently called upon by the New
York custom house office to pass judg-
ment upon Japanese curios. She has
made such q reputation that when she
goes into Oriental shops she is recog-
nized at once by the knowledge she dis
plays concerning the curios and the
language. Her own collection Of east
ern treasures is valued at $4,000. Mrs.
Wood was her own architect in build
Ing her summer home at Onteora Park,
which Is entirely eastern in design,
built without paint. plaster, varnish
or stain; walls, ceilings, floors, are all
Of natural wood, after the Japanese
style.
The noted place Professor Maria
Mitchell held for so many years Is now
occupied by Professor Mary Whitney,
who after leaving college, studied at
home and abroad. At one time she
was connected with the Harvard OBJ
servatory.
Miss Mace, Of 90, is assistant to Pro-
fessor Newcomb in the United States
Naval Observatory at Washington. 1t
Is with great pleasure the Vassar wo-
man notes the marked distinction
given to Professor Mitchell in placing
her name, the only woman's name, on
the walls of the new library building
of Boston.
Mrs. Christine dd-Franklin. Of 80,
who has been fellow at Johns Hop
kins university, and has received the
degree Of Ill. D., Ia a phenomenal
mathematician. Her papers on such
subjects as the Pascal Heregram,
Methods of Determining the Horopter,
the Algebra Of Logic, etc.. have ap-
peared in the most advanced scientific
periodicals and in the publications OF
Johns Hopkins university.
Mrs. Ellen Swallow Richards, of 70,
has published much In the line of
chemical and neurological investiga-
tions and has done practical work
which Deserves the gratitude Of every