Untitled Document

THE GENESE0 COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

Pursuant to prophecy, a school was started in the brick buildings, corner of State and Main streets, Geneseo. The movement to establish the school took on a vigorous existence immediately after it was known that W. J. Cook would not accept the buildings when four thousand dollars should have been expended upon them. The school started in 1884, just a quarter of a century ago at this writing. It is still a live factor in educational circles.

. The charter directors of the school were J. T. Atkinson, J. A. Sawyer, Thomas Liken, Josiah Moore, C. T. Powell, J. W. Stewart, J. K. Rekard, S. S. Cryer, T. R. Johnson, J. W. Hosford, I. N. Wilson, W. F. Small, H. Biglow, D. F. Sargeant, Mead C. Williams, N. H. G. Fife, Alexander White, Payson Trask, W. C. Brown, J. B. Moderwell and E. L. Williams.

Incorporators—J. T. Atkins -on, W. P. Cook, G. E. Waite, A. White, N. Gaines, Henry Youngs and E. C. Moderwell.

Officers of Board of Directors—Rev. E. L. Williams, President ; A. White, Vice-President; J. B. Moderwell, Secretary; J. A. Sawyer, Treasurer.

Instructors—Norbury W. Thornton, A. M., Prin cipal and instructor in Greek and mathematics; Wm. A. Metcalf, A. M., C. E., commercial depart ment; Miss Lucy Magee, elocution, history and English literature; Miss Susan A. Hosford, A. B., Latin; Ferdinand Berger, German; Mrs. Gatha Swan, director conservatory of Music ; Miss Sarah M. French, drawing and painting.

Although at present a young institution, yet so generously has it been provided for, so generally supported and encouraged by all denominations of Christians and people, who appreciate the advantages of a higher education, that its success is already such that it is entitled to a permanent place among the oldest and best institutions in the State. Its organizers and contributors were from the various religious denominations of Geneseo and surrounding country. It is is no sense a sectarian school, but is in the broadest and fullest meaning a Christian school.

As an explanation of the wholesome influences exerted in the institution by the Presbyterian Church, we only deem it necessary to give the following explanation as a part of the early efforts to found the school: A petition for" The Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies in the Presbyterian Church of the United States " to locate an academy in Geneseo was signed by representatives of different denominations in the city, and the locating of the academy in Geneseo was strongly endorsed by the Presbytery of Rock River. The expression of feeling was so united that the Board of Aid for Colleges and Academies I responded by granting $1,500 to the aid of the institution in its first year. The Geneseo Collegiate Institute is the first institution organized under the new I Board of Aiu which has manifested special interest I in its continued success.

The institute was formerly opened with an address on Higher Christian Educa tion by Rev. H. D. Ganse, D. D., Secretary, Sept. 16, 1884.

It was thrown open to the public a only little more than one year ago, and its first annual catalogue is the complete assurance of the great success it has already attained.

The catalogue shows the following: Complete enrollment, 18 ; academic students, 117 ; art, 14; music, 84.

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