The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-07-10
Agricultural College President
Rev. James Chalmers, Elain, H.,
Now Head of South Dakota Institution.

university. His record for scholarship al
the University at st. Andrews has beer
equa1ed but twice in the history OF 4tha'
venerable institution, now about 500 year,
old
DR.. Chalmers has been four time.
abroad for study, and his wife also was
educated in h best universities of THU
country and Europe. 1t is said the doctor
Is fond OF golf, a circumstance easily
traceable to his scotch-Ir.sh ~parentage
He Is rated as a man OF exceptionally
good executive ability, having the happy
faculty and good sense of accomplishing
Ia great deal without any blowing OF
tumpets.
When DR.. Chalmers went abroad witt
his family in the spring of 1897 he lief,
an educational position paying $1,000 6
year, and on returning two years later, nj
educational feld presenting itself, he &C.
the pastorate of a little church ii
Toledo, o., at a salary of $500. From small
beginnings this church under his charge
grew to be the largest in that city. Thu
same phenomenal success has followed
him in his work at Elgin, where the mem.
5bership has more than doubled since he
assumed charge. now numbering upwards
OF 1,500 members.
Though e%minently successful as a min.
lister, Dr.. Chalmers has not been a preach.
er from choice, his ambition rather lead.
Ing him into educational work. Even ir
the pulpit he Is a teacher rather thar {
preacher, and to his natural tact in keep.
Ing all his subordinates working togeth.
Ser tremendously, his success both as q
teacher and a preacher is largely due. His
salary at Elgin is 5000 a year, and IL
nay be thought singular that he would
give up q place tor a position at the head
OF an educational institution paying only
5000 q year. True, 1t will be a sacrifice
financially, but DR.. Chalmers is a MAJ
who does not estimate life and its worl
wholly by the ~dollar-and-cent standard
besides, a college or university presidenc,
has been the ambition OF his life, an,
therefore he does not feel that he is max
n q sacrifice in this instance,
As indicating somewhat the estimate,
held Tor DR.. Chalmers by the Edinburi
institution. the following verbatim cop,
OF the communication notifying him o
honor conferred is given:
University OF st. Andrews, March "a
1s9&--Dear Sir: I beg to inform you tina.
the senatus academicus of this universit,
has unanimously resolved to confer upol
you the post and title of research fellow
I n English literature and philosophy. Tht
honor has very rarely been conferred upo,
any one by the four universities of Scot
land The honor is as rare as it is high
I beg to congratulate you on being tn,
first American to receive this honor from
the most ancient university In Scotland
And ! have the honor to be, dear sir, you;
most faithful Servant,
81. NJ. D. Meikeljohn."
h regents of education believe tina
In securing the services of DR.. Chalmer,
they have been peculiarly fortunate. H,
3is q broad-mfnded, highly cultured gen
tleman, and his excellent tact in meeting
men VIII nabie him to treat the special
lists along the several scientific lines a
that institution with that respect an,
courtesy essential to the best results a
the college. DR.. Chalmers did not seek
the place, but was sought by the regents
and was elected by unanimous vote of the
full board.