Albany Collegiate Institute

From the 1878 Albany Directory

    For several years our citizens agitated the question of the building of a college in this city, but their labors in that direction took no definite shape until the winter of 1866-67. During that winter and spring several public meetings were held, and it was decided to build a college at once. J. P. Tate, Jno. Conner, Thos. Monteith, Demas Beach, E. S. Merrill, W. W. Parrish, E. R. Geary, R. H. Crawford, .J. C. Ainsworth, Jas. H. Foster and Jacob Norcross were elected Trustees and subscription papers were immedi­ately circulated and several thousand dollars raised for the work, the following persons contributing $100 and over:

    Besides the amounts given by the above, the greater number of our citizens contributed from $10 upward. Thos. Monteith made the munificent gift of- four blocks of land ( a little over seven acres) lying between Ninth and Eleventh and Ferry and Broadalbin streets, probably the best location in our city for a college building. Of course when the entire city became so interested in the welfare of this proposed institution of learning it did not take long to perfect the arrangements for building. Several architects drew up plans, and the one prepared by the late Nelson Wright was adopted, after being changed in some of its minor features. At the meeting of the Trustees, held on the 23d day of March, 1867, the sealed proposals for the contract of erecting the building were opened and John Barry & Co., having bid the lowest ($7,000), were awarded the contract. Work on the building now commenced in earnest, and it was completed in time to have one term taught in it that fall.

    On the 30^th of August, 1867, the first President of the institution was elected, Rev. Wm. J. Monteith.  He attended faithfully to his duties until Aug 7^th, 1868, when he resigned, and Rev. Henry Bushnell was elected to fill the vacancy.  Under his management the college did not prosper.  Although a very good man, he was cross and crotchety, and continually at war with the students.  At length a perfect mutiny broke out among the students, and they made his position so uncomfortable for him that he was compelled to resign before his year was completed.  His resignation was accepted by the Trustees on the 27^th of January, 1869, and at the same time Rev. Dr. Geary was elected to the position of President, and was given the authority to engage such teachers as he saw fit to finish out the collegiate year. 

    On the 18^th day of October, 1869, the College was opened out under the management of Revs. E. R. Geary and S. G. Irvine, and during the following year was very successful, having an average attendance of about eight-five students.  Sometime during the following spring, and before the collegiate year had been finish, Dr. Geary was compelled to resign his position as a teacher on account of the pressure of other duties, but still remained President of the institution.

    The year which began in the fall of 1870 was rather discouraging to the Trustees.  No one could be found to take charge of the school until just before the time arrived ad which it should be opened.  Prof. M. T. Crawford was then engaged, but as it was so late in the season, the disadvantages he labored under were very great.  As was expected the attendance dwindled down to a very small number.  At the close of the year the Trustees secured the services of Prof. R. K. Warren, giving him complete control of the institution for a term of four years, afterwards lengthening his time to the spring of 1876.  Immediately upon the commencement of Prof. Warren’s management the people began to manifest more interest in the institution, the number of students increased, and in a very short time the roll contained more names than it ever had since the College was founded.

    In 1873 the first class was graduated, each member receiving the degree of b. S.  Their names as are follows:  Mrs. Weltha M. Sox, nee Young, Miss Maria G. Irvine, Mrs. Cora J. Stewart, nee Irvine, and Miss Mary J. Hannon.

    In 1874 a class of seven graduated, all receiving the degree of B.S., with the exception of the first named below, who received the degree of A. B.:  Jas. Bradshaw, Francis Osborn, Clara E. Price, Mary E. Finlayson, Jane J. Conner, Kate W. Conner, and Elizabeth Althouse.

    In 1875 the graduating class only numbered three persons, each receiving the degree of B. S.  Following are the names:  John T. Tate, Miss Monrove Alexander, and Commodore P. Davis.

    No class graduated at the end of the next year, and on account of Prof. Warren’s time expiring at that date the interest in the institution flagged, and only a comparatively small number of students were in attendance at the close of the term.

    In the fall of 1876 Prof. L. J. Powell, formerly one of the Faculty of Willamette University, at Salem, took charge of the College, and at the same time, Rev. Howard W. Stratton was elected to the Presidency of the Institution, Rev. Dr. Geary having resigned on account of his removal to Eugene.

    Prof. Powell still (1878) holds his position and having had many years’ experience in conducting educational institutions of the higher grade, is now bringing the Albany Collegiate Institute up to a higher standard than it has ever heretofore attained, and the students in attendance during the past winder have numbered as high as about one hundred and fifty.  Last year, on account of the reorganization of the school, there were no graduates, but this year there will be two.

    This institution being ostensibly under the control of the Presbyterian Church, has received material aid from that organization.  It now has $1000 invested which was raised by Rev. Hanna, who was appointed by the Presbytery to solicit subscriptions, and will probably in time receive help from the General Assembly, as it wants were ably set forth before that body last year by Rev. Howard W. Stratton.  As President Stratton’s stay in Albany was short after his return from the East, the result of his labors in procuring an endowment for the College is not yet known.  It is at present in very good circumstances, the buildings being in good repair, and no debt hanging over it.

    The faculty consists of the best talent which can be obtained in our State, and every care is taken to instill into the minds of the students good morals, and to give them a thorough education in all the branches preparatory for the active duties of life.  The building is large, commodious, well arranged, has good ventilation, and is admirably situated, commanding a magnificent view of our city and surrounding country.  The college grounds are large, comprising a little over seven acres, and during the year of 1876 were improved greatly.  A neat fence was put up around the property, the grounds laid out after a very neat plan and a great number of shade and ornamental trees set out, which, after a few years, will make it one of the prettiest parks on the Northwest coast.

    The course of study is such as is common in all other schools of this grade and consists of Collegiate, Classical, Scientific and Preparatory, and also, if desired by the student, Music, Painting and Commercial.  Special attention is given to Elocutionary drill and Oratorical training, superior advantages being offered in these departments.  Two rooms in the family have been turned over to the use of the “Erodelphian” and “Sigma Phi” Societies, composed of the students attending the school.  These societies are large and their meetings well attended.  Both have good libraries, and their literary exercises are very instructive and entertaining. 

    The faculty during the present year consists of Rev. Howard W. Stratton, A. M., President and Professor of Mental and Moral Science;  Rev. L. J. Powell, A. M., Principal and Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science; H. H.. Hewitt, A. M. Professor of Ancient Languages; Mrs. Mary E. Finlayson, B. S. Preceptors; Mrs. Flora Sallinger, Teacher of German; Miss Nettle Piper, Teacher of vocal and Instrumental Music; Mrs. W. S. Peters, Teacher of Drawing and Painting.  Commencement Day will this year be on June 12^th.