Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-10-11
Inauguration Ceremonies
at Willamette University
Brief History of College

Never in the history of Willamette
university have such plans and prepara-
tions been made for the Inauguration Of
new president, as are outlined for the
official exercises to be held Friday, De-
tober l3, in the First Methodist church
when Carl Gregg Doney will become the
head of the institution which has more
history back of it than any other insti-
tuition of learning on the Pacific coast.
Never since the missionary period
when the university was Graded in a
log cabin on Mission Bottom has such
keen interest been taken in the ceremon-
les attendant upon the inaugural of a
new president. Looking backward at
the beginning of Willamette and noting
the impulse that throbbed at its incep
tion, it is believed to be only Just and
proper that special honor be done to q
man who is to guide its destinies.
From the days of Cyrus Shepard, the
first president of the institution, who
ruled the realm Willamette from 1885
to 1910, when Oregon was a wilderness
not thought worth saving to the Union,
down through the years it has been
closely connected with Salem and its
people. And today, in every nook and
Granny of the state and every portion
of the world, Willamette graduates are
found doing their duty, bearing their
portion of the world Is burden.
So there is strong reason why the peo-
pie of Salem should help to do honor to
President Doney at this time and it is
expected they will be present at the
ceremonies and lend their support and
good will to his administration. He has
been in Salem for over a year and dur
ing that time has made hosts of friends
in the city and throughout the state.
He is recognized as brilliant scholar,
an earnest man, and leader in educa-
tional work and his advent here is be-
lieved to bode well for a brighter and
more prosperous university, which pros
perity will be reflected in a bigger and
better Salem.
Although invitations extend to the ex-
ercises, morning, afternoon and evening"
the university and the board of trustees
wish it to be made especially strong
that all the people of Salem are well
come all the time.
An item of historical interest, and one
that is not generally known, is the sue
cession of presidents of the university
from the missionary period down to the
present day The list follows:
missionary period.)
Cyrus Shepherd, president from 1886
1910, when the university was housed in
the wilderness on Mission Bottom.
William Geiger, who was head for
few months in 1910, followed by Chloe
Clark Wilson from 1910 to 1850. She
was the only woman president of the
university and came around the Horn in
the good ship Lausanne for the express
purpose Of teaching the white children
of the Willamette valley.
(After incorporation) Chloe Wilson
was head for three years which brings
her presidency up TO 1853.
Tn succession thereafter came names
which have been famous in Oregon his.
tory. F. S. Hoyt, ID. D., 1s53lsG0; T.
NJ. Catch. Ph. d., ls60-ls65; ]. J.
Wythe, NJ. D., d. D.. 1s65-1s67; l.. T.
Woodward, \. NJ. 1s67-1s6s; Nelson
Rounds, D. D.. ls6s-1s7O; r. NJ. Catch,
Ph. D.. 1s70-ls7o; c. f. Lambert, A. NJ,
ls79-1ssO; Thomas Van seoy, A. NJ, d.