Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-09-29
Opening of Alma College.

Alma College opened under more aus
picious skies this year than ever before
in it's history. Those in authority have
done everything possible for the COM
fort and accommodation of those who
come to them for improvement. The
main building has been repainted and
the walls have been calcimined during
the summer vacation. The dormatory
has been repainted and the walls papered.
Mrs. Abel has devoted much time and
earnest effort to putting everything
about the dormatory in order and to pro-
vide for the greatest possible accommo-
dation of those who come there for
rooms or board. Every suite of rooms
are full and large number of the
young ladies are obliged to engage
rooms at private houses.
The gradual increase in the number
Of students and the increased demands
upon the faculty during the past few
years have made it imperative to increase
the teaching force. The college has
made it possible to do so, and several
members were this year added to the
already large faculty.
Work has already begun on the new
museum building which will be COM
pleted during the present college year.
Wednesday was the opening day, and
chapel was held at $40 a. m. as usual
After the chapel exercise, President
| Bruske addressed the students, faculty
and citizens who were present. He
asked the question, What are we here
for, and what is the purpose Of college
education? Why are we not satisfied
with the public school education that
the state offers all its YOUTH" He
answered it by saying that college edu-
cation is to train young men and women
for leadership in human affairs. 1--WE
need leaders in all vocations, In the
various professions and in the numerous
departments of industrial life. In the
past these positions may have been
filled by men of less training, but in the
future leadership will come from college
bred men and women. He said in
substance that it is what men see tina {
make them leaders and it is the purpose
Of the college education TO teach men
and women to see things in their entirety
and in their relation to other things.
His address was plea to the students
| 70 Priv 60 nd lQa6archln
whatever vocation they choose, and 1t
was instructive and inspiring to all.
The remainder of the day was spent
in registration and classification. More
new students reported for registration
than on the first week of any previous
year, and large number of the old ones
had returned, every train bringing
some students The academy has a
large number of students not only from
abroad, but from the neighboring
country and villages and also from Alma.
AT 6 40 p. m. Wednesday occurred the
first union prayer meeting of the college
year, which was we'll attended. At the
close the Young Mems Christian Associ-
alton gave an informal reception to the
new gentlemen students in the chapel
and the Young Women's Christian AS
sociation to the new lady students in
the ladies hall. 1t was glad reunion
of the old students after the long vaca'
ton and they were glad to welcome the
new ones.
On Thursday the regular class work
began. The large and able faculty, the
large number of students, the high
college and athletic spirit are indicative
Of a prosperous year of college life.