The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-07-10
Agricultural College President
Rev. James Chalmers, Elein, ILL.,,
Now Head of South Dakota Institution.

university. His record for scholarship a.
the University at st. Andrews has beez
equaled but twice In the history OF tha
venerable institution, now about 500 YEAR
old.
DR.. Chalmers has been four times
abroad for study, and his wife also wal
educated In the best universities of THU
country n Europe. 1t is said the doctor
is fond of golf, a circumstance easily
traceahle 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
a great deal without any blowing Of
truupsts.
When DR.. Chalmers went abroad With
his family in he spring OF 1897 he lef
an educational position paying $500 s
year, and on returning two years later, NJ
educational field presenting itself, he az
copied the pastorate of a little church b
Toledo, O., at a salary of $500. From small
beginnings this church under his charge
grew to be the largest in that city. Tnl
same phenomenal success has followed
him in his work at Elgin, where the mem.
bership has more than doubled since hi
assumed charge. now numbering upwards
of 500 members.
Though eminently 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 Il
the pulpit he is a teacher rather than &
preacher, and to his natural tact in keep.
ing all his Subordinates working togeth.
er harmoniously, his success both as .
teacher n a preacher Is largely due. HI.
salary at Elgin is $500 a year, and II
may be thought singular that he would
give up a place for a position at the head
of an educational institution paying only
sS,M4 8 year. True. it will be a s~acrifcs
financially, but DR.. Chalmers is a mH
who does not estimate life and its wori
wholly by the do~llar-and-cent standard
besides, a college or university presldenc,
has been the ambition of his life, ant
therefore he does not feel that he is NAH
Ing a sacrifice il this instance.
AS indicating somewhat the estimation
held Tor DR.. Chalmers by the Edinbur7
institution, the following verbatim cops
OF the communication notifying him q
honors conferred Is given:
University of ST. Andrews, March "a
1ses.-Dear Sir: I beg to inform you tha
the senatus academicus of this universit.
has unanimously resolved to confer upo,
you the post and title of research fellow
in English literature and philosophy. Thu
honor has very rarely been conferred upoI
any one by the four universities Of Scot
land. The honor Is as rare as 1t Is high
I beg to congratulate you on being tn
first American to receive this honor from
the most ancient university in Scotland
And I have the honor to be, dear sir, YOU
most faithful servant,
II. NJ. D.. Meikeljohn."
The regents of education believe tina
in securing the services of DR.. Chalmer1
they have been peculiarly fortunate. H,
is a b~road-minded, highly cultured gen
tlenan, and his excellent tact in meeting
men will enable him to treat the special
lists along the several scientific lines al
that institution with that respect am
courtesy %ssentia to the best results a
the college. DIR. Chalmers did not seek
the place, but was sought by the regents
and was elected by unanimous vote of thu
full board.