Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-06-15
GROUND BROKEN
FOR GYMNASIUM
FORMAL EXERCISES TUESDAY
MARKED START OF WORK
ON NEW STRUCTURE.

At $500 o'clock Tuesday afternoon
the formal exercises in connection
with the breaking Of ground for the
new 100000 memorial gymnasium
at Alma College was held in the
presence of a large number Of stu
dents and friends of the college, the
exercises being in charge Of Presi-
dent II. M. Crooks.
DR.: ]. T. Ewing, registrar Of the
College, was the first speaker. He
told of the starting Of the college in
1886 and the construction of the
administration building and a girls
dormitory in that year, which were
opened for the first time, October
26, 1886. In 1887 the heating plant
was constructed, and was followed in
1889 by the laying of the corner
stone of the library building, which
was completed in the following
spring. The starting. of the eombin-
ed museum and gymnasium, in 1894
was spoken Of, which was completed
in 1895. He then spoke of the con-
struction of the memorial to Mr..
Hood, Hood museum in 1897, and in
1902 of the construction of Wright
hall, the gift of Ammi w. Wright.
From that time on no buildings were
added by the college up to the pre-
sent, he said, but spoke of the worthy
effort of Zeta Sigma last fall to es-
tablish a home. He also told Of
the building Of the athletic field in
1902 and the addition Of the Davis
gate in 1912. The new gymnasium
he said, was the first unit Of the
greater Alma College which was be-
ing hoped for. In closing he said
that Alma College had never felt
need for a building, but what the
need was soon supplied.
Professor Roy Hamilton, acting
dean, told how the money was raised
for the memorial gymnasium. He
told Of the campaign among the col
lege students and faculty, who had
taken for themselves a quota Of
$4,000, and how. the students and
faculty had made q world record in
pledging 100 per cent strong towards
the gymnasium, giving pledges that
totalled $14,175. He then spoke Of
the campaign in Alma and in the
county, which added to the sum that
the faculty and students had pledged
until $4,000 was in the Golfers for
the new building, which would be the
embodiment of the hopes of the COL
| r,ol - ka
men of the county.
DR.. Barkley, Of Detroit, chairman
of the board Of trustees, was then
called upon by President Crooks 10
turn the first shoveli,. Of ground for
tie gymnasium. In turning the
ground he said tha. he building
would memorialize the work, and
W, uid give assurance and hope for
tie future. Then Mayor Cna les r.
Murphy for the ely was called upon
70 turn a shove.fll Of dirt, anc he
vas followed by PRESIDENT Fl. S.
Is, be ock Of the Alma Chamber o.
Commerce, which aided greatly in
the campaign here a. year ago when
funds were sought. lothian Allen,
chairman of the drive campaign COM
mittre, turned a shc,el full Of dirt,
and was followed By Coach Campbell,
Roger Zinn, PRES. lat Of the st Ide=
{, uncil, and 'ss Elizabeth Miigcr
for the girls.
Then the trl,:ccs lined up ut tn.
suggestion of President Crooks, with
the women members at the head, and
each in turn put .Leir foot to the
shovel, and lifted out shovel load.
ed with dirt. Mrs. William A. Bah
Ike Of this city was the first, ami she
was followed by Mrs. John Dodge, OF
Detroit, the two women members
who were present. l.. A. SHARP
was third and he was followed in or.
der by John w. s. Pierson of Stan.
ton, Clarence b. Chatfield Of Bay
City, Charles II. Bonbright Of Flint
DR.. Lewis S. Brooke Of Milford, anc
Professor Kendall Brooks of Mt
Pleasant. Mr.. Seeley Of Caro-, 8
former trustee, who.was present, wa.
then called upon to conclude the for
malities by turning still another