Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-12-31

AnEustana college has more than
Kept pace With Rock Islands growth
in the last two decades. having become
IN that period national. rather than
local In the character and scope OF it's
work. Formerly chief attention was
devoted 10 the theological seminary.
but more recently the other depart
meuts have been brought UP to equal
standing. The school holds member
ship in the North Central Association
Of Colleges and Secondary Schools and
stands in the very from. rank among
these. 1t Ia not only recognized by all
the great universities. but fits grad
yates are sought after and are admit
ted 10 the higher institutions without
the Formally of examination,
In q material sense Augustana has
not Jagged. Within the last Is years
the streets and avenues that give ao-
cess 10 It's grounds have been paved
and Seventh avenue, upon which it
faces, has been bouleyarded, the whole
representing an Investment Of sew
eral thousands 81 dollars and greatly
improving appearances, Recently there
mas been added 10 the college build
ings a magnificent library, the gift Of
heirs Of the late F, c. A. Denkmann,
costing fully equipped sa0s,0 Besides,
In the same period, there has been rails
al by requests, donations and popu-
Isr subscription. an endowment fund
Of more than $3.50 900, the income
from which has been added TO the
other revenues thst has maintained
jhe school
The average number OF students for
several years has been between $50
and 500, which represents the maxi
mum capacity and also the enrolment
Of highest efficiency. This number
could he largely increased were there
facilities for handling more, Additional
college buildings and dormitories are
needed and it is hoped that means to
build them viii be forthcoming in the
near future
Augustana college and Theological
seminary vas founded in 1860, at the
time when Augastana synod was or
ganlzed. The school was maintained in
Chicago till 1868, when ii WIS remove
10 Paxton, III In 1875 il was perma-
uentiy located in Rock Island. At first
the school was known as Augustana
Seminary and the only departments
we're those devoted to preparatory
work and theological instruction In
1853 the Institution was incorporated
uader the name of Augustana College
and Seminary In 1865, By special act
OF the legislature a charter was grant
ed This was amended by the same
body in 1869, and the present name
adopted
The first president Of the Institution
was Professor l. P Esbjorn, who sery-
ed during the first three years When
the institution was removed to Paxton
in 1853, DIR. r. \, Hssselquist was
elected president and served in this
Office until his death in 1891
AT the last meeting Of the Augustana
synod definite steps were taken to cele-
brate in q suitable manner the cen
tennial of the birth Of DR. Hasselquist
Arrangements on an elaborate scale
are now under way 20 carry out the
synod's plan This celebration will oc
cur at the college on March 2. 1916
which date has been declared a holi-
day ct the school The arrangements
are in charge Of DR.. L. A. Johnston
president Of the synod, and Or. An
dreen. president OF the institution, aid,
ed by q local committee. The festiv-
tiles will he Of q character fitting tC
the occasion.
In 1891 DR.. Olof OLSON was elect
ed to succeed Dr. Hasselquist, anC
served urril his death, May Il, 1900.
In the summer Of 1901 DR.. Gustav
Audreen Of Vale university was elect
ed to the presidency,
The real awakening of Augustana
began in 1908, when plans for the cele
bration Of the 50th Jubilee Of the in