Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-25
ENDOWMENT AND GIFT
A Handsome Sum to be Added
10 the Growing Endowment
of Alma College.
An INDUSTRIAL EXPERIMENT
Cherry Hill Farm to be the scene
Something New In Michigan
Educational History

Since January ], 1907, the TRENDS
of Alma college have known OF the
various conditional gifts which SEEM
ed so temptingly near and yet were
too far off to be reached. When
Andrew Carnegie, "The Laird o
Scibo," presented President Bruske
a proposition, it had one great con-
dition. To the ordinary man the out
look seemed dubious; to a man like
DR.. Bruske it spelled opportunity
That condition, the raising OF thre
times as much more as he wished TO
present. was faced boldly, and Alma's S
executive set earnestly to work to
increase Mr.. Carnegie's $4,000 TO
100000
At that time there were awaiting
under somewhat similar conditions,
$4,000 in secureties from Mr.. a..
w. Wright. The Synod of Michigan
quickly provided $4,000. That lett
only $4,000 more to be raised by
DIR. Bruske. Where it was coming
from, he knew not, but never once did
he lose faith, but that same friend OF
Alma would provide the means. See
ing nothing promising in the home
land, Dr. Bruske journeyed to the
east, the land Of men and millions.
He returned cast down but not des-
troyed." Since then hope has been
the only consolation.
But better days were to dawn. Last
Thursday a letter was laid on the
Presidents desk, and it contained a
message of cheer and thankfulness.
Thomas Merrill, a venerable friend
of the college, who lives in Saginaw
and has passed the year of four score
and ten, was the sender. Often be-
fore has he stood by Alma in times
Of need, but probably never before
did a gift come at so opportune a
time. He was willing TO give the
necessary $4,000 and wished the deal
consummated at once. DR.. Bruske
went at once to Saginaw, received
the securities, and the money is now
drawing five pier cent interest
Mr.. Carnegie is now in Scotland
and it will probably be some time be
fore final arrangements are made, but
when they are completed the endow-
ment of Alma college will have Jump
ed to $355,OoO.
But that is not the only acquisition
made in the past few days. Saturday
morning Hon A. W. Wright pres
ented the college with Cherry Hill
Farm, containing 100 acres of Gratiot
countys best soil The buildings also
are in the finest of condition, and
the cultivation is complete. No doubt
many people will wonder what the
college will do with farm, but there
was a firm purpose behind the ven
ture, and that it is to be successful
can not be doubted.
The plan is new to Michigan col
lcges 1t is to be conducted as an
industrial educ ational experiment.
Now poor fellow who has no means
can come TO Alma, and. by working
an hour day or more as
circumstances will permit. can
pay all of his running expenses. This
class OF students has appealed es-
pecially to Mr. Wright. who believes
that the best help is selfhelp. and
here such youths may obtain an ed
ucation. Not only will they earn
their way but the outdoor work will
be the very best kind OF athletics for
those who can spare no time to en-
gage in the special works.
New buildings are to be erected
soon and accommodations had for
from twenty-five TO one hundred
young men This plan is something
new and novel. II certainly is prac-
tical, and should be beneficial. II
places Alma on a unique footing
among her contemporaries. and tn,
development Of the plan will no doubt
be watched by many all over this sec
tion OF the country
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New goods arriving daily at Risch's