Rock Island Argus., 1901-10-17

cities, young giants on whose shoul-
ders we are lifted up on high, as we
think of the surrounding country in
habited by a host of our trusty
friends and supporters, we feel that
no better place could be found as the
home of this college. After the school
had been located here the attenda ce
at once began to increase, new teach
ing force was added, and in 1877 the
first class was graduated from the
college department, OF which event
we are to celebrate the 25th anniver-
sary at the end of this academic year
1.-The u years during which the in
stitution mas been located here be-
tween the cities of Rock land and
Moline have been years of slow but
steady growth. Under the efficient
guidance of DR. Hasse quist and my
immediate predecessor, DIR. OLSON,
the development was genuine and
healthy, never ephemeral or un-ound.
Materially there mas been u great adj
vance during this Periot. Additional
ground, a necessary condition ior
further growth, has been literally
donated to the school. on the south
side by the kind ofli ,es of DR. vii
hanson. on the north by the k.ndIy
assistance of Senate Ericsson n "
buildings have been added, tue fore
most aGong these being the one 10
which we ale now Assem- BILE / which
was completed by the generous dona-
tion of Mr.. Cable. The hearty cup
port given us by many citizens OF
the twin-cities and by our people
every where has enabled US 10 build
up This lasting monument To the
cause of education
New Departments Added.
The developnent OF the inner
work of the Institution has been no
less marked. New departments have
been added The business, music
and art departments have done most
excellent work in and for the institu-
tion. The fact that great number
of our pupils become te4chers in the
common schools necessitared the in
PRODUCTION of the normal department.
which as yet stands in pretty close
to the academic school
Graduate courses are now given both
in the college and theological depart
ments. The number aud efficiency of
the teachers is greater than ever be I
fore. They have shown devotion to !
the institution not only by serving |
for small salaries, but especially by |
being imbued with the spirit of max |
ing the most of themselves and their |
talents, of enteriug upon the work
well equipped aud prepared for its
successful accomplishment.
LAS we look back upon these past
IL ears of the existence of the insti-
tuition, we feel that these years over
low with much love, much devotion,
great sacrifices, sincere prayers for
The welfare of our institution. We
are grateful for the rich inheritance.
The high ideals, and the unselfi.h de-
Votion of the past.
How much of this past, of this
should be carried with
as into the future? Should we take
t with us in its entirety? To this |
answer. no. In the course of the de-
of the individual or of So
,iety there is always much that is
Incidental, while little by little will
undergo change and even be cast
Iside. We outgrow many customs.
and opinions.
"But the essential elements under
ying our work must ever remain the
Iame. Hence the history, the tradi-
ions. the character OF an institution
re sacred and must not be violated
We are blessed in our work In so far
Is we are true TO ourselves and to
'ur individuality and, therefore,