Putnam patriot., 1913-06-20

! Additional interest in the upward
and outward growth of Tillotson coll
lege ut Austin, Texas. has been aroused
among numerous people and churches
/ of eastern Connecticut through the re-
cent election of Rev. j. Romeyn Dam
forth of New London, one of the lead
ing Congregational clergymen of the
state, to the board of trustees. During
the past eight years or under the new
regime, the development Of the institu-
ton has been such as to attract wide
attention throughout the country in
educational and religious circles.
The institution is of peculiar interest
to the people of southern New Eng
land on account of lis history and pres
ent administration being so intimately
connected with this section of the
country. Founded about 80 years ago
by Rev. George j. Tillotson.
MIR. Tillotson was pastor of the Sec
ond Congregational church in Putnam
for score of years. He was offered
the ii rst pastorate of Plymouth church
in Brooklyn, n. Y, but declined the
| position, even refusing tolpreach there
a single Sabbath.
Eight years ago prominent: Con-
necticut educator, well known in Nor
witch educational interests, took charge
of the institution and since then the
| progress has been marked. DR.. Isaac
NJ. Agard was for over 20 years princi.
pal of the Rockville High school and
superintendent of schools there, the
| present high standing of the educa
tional facilities in that city being
monument to his efforts. During that
time he was for two terms president of
the Connecticut Association of High
School and Classical Teachers, vice
president of the association for num-
Der of terms and member of the Con-
necticut council of educators. He was
born on farm in the northern part of
Stafford, educated at home, at Mon.
son, Mass, Academy and graduated
with honors from Amherst college in
the class of 1879 with honors. He is
now in his 34th year of continuous
teaching.
During the past three years the
growth of the institution ia enrolment
and scope OF work made il essential for
the addition of new buildings. The
Evans industrial building, a modern
structure of concrete believed to be one
of the most modern buildings of its
kind, was formally opened for work
last fall. Included in this equipment
is complete printing plant for in
struction and the printing of the col
lege publication.
Ground was broken this winter for
the erection of a concrete administra-
ton building, 10 cost from $4,000 to
$4,000. When this is completed the
| present administration quarters will
be added to the dormitories. The
completion of this building, adding of
Others and raising of an endowment
fund is the present object of a cam
peign being carried on by the institu-
ton.
Although nominally under the di-
rection of the American Missionary as.
sociation, the institution has its own
board of trustees and officers. Major
FRA IL. Evans, Civil war veteran, for
mer speaker of the Texas legislature
and resident of Austin, is president of
the board. His summer home is in
Maine. He has been largely response
ble for the fund assuring the industri-
al building and the beginning of the
fund for the administration building.
DR.. Agard, president of the college, is
| secretary and treasurer of the board.