The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-08-28
A CHANGE IN PRESIDENTS
DR.. Graham Becomes Vice President
and Financial Secretary and
DR.. Nicholson President.

tatives Of the board Of directors of
Dakota University in order to set
the situation plainly before the
people of the city and the state
with reference to the change in presi-
dents. DR.. Graham has been with
the college for the past ten years
and has carried it through some hard
periods Of depression, and has put it
on its feet financially and commenced
the erection of a new college build
ing, which will be completed before
the end Of the year. DR.. Graham
will still remain with the University
in the capacity of vice president and
financial secretary, and will look
after the finishing of Century
Memorial hall. DR.. Nicholson comes
to the University with the highest
recommendations and great things
are anticipated from his association
with the college. The %communica-
ton is as follows:
The executive committee met Tues
day night to consider and perfect
certain important matters which
have been contemplated in reference
TO Dakota University for some time.
Most important Of these was the
presidency.
1t has been known to some Of US
for a year or more that DR.. Graham
desired to be relieved of this bur-
den. Indeed, he officially informed
a COMMITTEE of the board, over a
year ago that he felt that he must
take a rest and that he would help
the board find a new president and
resign as soOn as a suitable mar
could be found for the place.
At this time he mentioned Rev.
Thomas Nicholson, professor of phil
osophy and biblical science of Cornell
college, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. But
neither he nor the committee thought
that it would be possible to get him.
Nevertheless. it was resolved that we
should try. All with whom we con-
ferred smiled at our presumption, but
added, he is the mar of all men that
l know for you to get, hut you cannot
get him.
As commencement drew near Pres
ident Graham proposed that Prof.
Nicholson should be invited to preach
the baccalaureate that he might be
given an opportunity to see how great
was the possibility Of doing a great
good work in connection with Dakota
University. This scheme worked like
a charm. Prof. Nicholson charmed
everybody, and the needs and posi-
bilities of Dakota University won
the heart and sympathy of Prof.
Nicholson. Subsequently he was
spoken to and he consented that un-
der certain circumstances he might
possibly consider the proposition.
There was really no encouragement
in what be said, but other men saw
him, President Graham wrote to him
and we all prayed that if this was
best for the great interests represent
ed by the Dakota University, God
would lay it upon the heart of Prof.
Nicholson and prevent his being
drawn by the larger salary that
other men were Offering him, and
that he might be induced to come
and give his life.to this infant state,
whose growth and achievements fill
us all with surprise, and prophesy
glory for the men who build them
selves into its intellectual, moral
and religious life.
it soon became apparent to some Of
US that the leaven Of a holy and
self-sacrificing ambition was working
in Prof. Nicholson and that it was
possible to obtain him for Dakota
University So in due time DR.. Ora
ham was sent to Lincoln, Neb., to
consult with him, which resulted in
d tentative agreement to come to Da-
kota which resulted in his election
to the presidency Of Dakota Univer-
sity, and professor of philosophy and
biblical science.
We are now permitted to say that
President Nicholson will be here
early in October; will be present at
The Annual Conference in Aberdeen.
and will thereafter give his peerless
talents as an educator and organizer
to the state Of South Dakota.
We congratulate ourselves, the
University, the Methodist church.
the city and the state on the incom.
ing of this great, live man to the
promotion Of our highest interests.
Everybody will be glad to know
that after DR.. Graham resigned his
presidency. he was elected by the ex.
ecutive committee to the vice presi.