The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1903-06-26
In and About the State.
E..,,c,,l7vRAL COLLEGE HEAD.

-. Chalmers, Phi. D., L.. D., Of
n's,,. ill., Elected by Board Of Re.
cents to Succeed DR.. Hesto".
The state board of regents OF educa-
nave elected James Chalmers. Phi.
RI. D., Of Elgin, ILL.,. president of
!, state agricultural college at Brook
~. 10 succeed John w. Heston.
e. chalmers has attained to emf
- both in this country and in Eu.
~. az an educator and as a clergy
~ w. He Is Of Scotch descent and
-. horn in Canada in 1859, being q
Native of the great DR.. Thomas Chal-
N.re who left an impress upon Edin-
..r.h greater than that of any other
Lon except John Knox. Though OF
canadian birth, his early life was
,.,relv passed in Michigan, where he
.ook an active part in educational
~o,k He is an author and editor of
.,,rerous standard works in literature
IA education, among which are edi-
AIMS of the English classics. He took
,ha degrees of A. B. and Phi. D. at
rnreka college, Illinois, passed to the
deoree of M. A. with honors at st. An
drows university, ScOtland-the Ok
nrd at that country-and received the
honorary degree of LII. d. from West
am Michigan college. Wheaton col
lege of Illinois has since conferred
nnon him the degree of d. D.
Since receiving his Doctors degree
n 1889. DR.. Chalmers has for the most
mart been engaged in educational work.
though at present he is pastor of the
First CONGREGATIONAL church Of Elgin,
M. which enjoys the distinction of be-
ing the largest Congregational church
n point of membership in the United
states outside Of Brooklyn.
His Record at st. Andrews.
For five years DR.. Chalmers was a.
se head of the department of English
literature at the Ohio state university
It Columbus. While at this institution
10 became personally acquainted with
President Mckinley, with whom he
established close relations Of personal
friendship and esteem. For three
years he was president Of the Wlscon-
sn state normal school at Plattville.
He was also for two years fellNw Of the
University Of St. Andrews, Scotland,
N honor never before conferred upon
N American by any British univer-
city. His record for scholarship at the
University of st. Andrews has been
Nualed but twice in the history Of
that venerable institution, now about
800 years old.
Dr.. Chalmers has been four times
abroad for study. and his wife also was
educated In the best universities OF
this country and Europe. 1t is said
he doctor is fond Of golf, a circum-
stance easily traceable to his Scotch
Irish parentage. He Is rated as a mar
Of exceptionally good executive abil-
iy, having the happy faculty and good
sense Of accomplishing a great deal
Without any blowing Of trumpets.
When DR.. Chalmers went abroad
With his family in the spring Of 1897
he left an educational position paying
5000 q year, and on returning two
years later, no educational field pre-
senting itself, he accepted the pastor
ie Of a little church in Toledo, Ohio,
It q salary of $500. From small be-
ginnings this church under his charge
grew to be the largest in that city.
The same phenomenal success has fol-
lowed him in his work at Elgin. where
the membership has more than dou-
bled since he assumed charge, now
numbering upwards OF 1900 members.
Teaching His Choice.
Though eminently successful as q
minister, DR.. Chalmers has not been
! preacher from choice. his ambition
rather leading him into educational
work. Even in the pulpit he Is a
teacher rather than a preacher, and to
hs natural tact in keeping all his
subordinates working together harmo-
alously, his success both as a teacher
snd q preacher is largely due. His
mary at Elgin is $4,000 q year, and 1T
may be thought singular that he would
ave up such a place for a position at
we head Of an educational institution
paylng only $4,000 a year. True, 1t
VIII be a sacrifice financially, but DR..
Vnalmers is a man who does not esti-
mate life and it's work wholly by the
soliar-and-cent standard; besides, a
"ilege or university presidency has
vcen the ambition of his life, and there
1ore ne does rot feel that he is making
sacrifice in this instance.
AS indicating somewhat the estima-
Won held for DR.. Chalmers by the Ed1n-
ourg Institution, the following ver-
saum copy Of the communication mott
wing him Of honors conferred Is
given:
University of st. Andrews, March
- As9S.-Dear Sir: l beg to Inform
.ou that the senatus academicus OK
uS university has unanimously re-
.o,veo to confer upon you the post and
wi, nue or research fellow in English
literature and philosophy. This honor
.as very rarely been conferred upon
cus one by the four universities OF
s0ouand The honor is as rare as 1t
: nigh. I beg to. congratulate you ON