"Nobly Stands The Grand Old College"
Chapman Hall 1950's
Like many other small liberal arts colleges in the midwest during the 19th century, Mount Union evolved from a simple beginning, as a select school in the old Carding Mill to the modern campus of today. During the early years Mount Union was known as a seminary. Actually, it was a small, struggling academy, like most other schools of that day; but this term was used to indicate the religious emphasis.
The seminary was a success, and a college charter was acquired in 1858. In many respects, Mount Union followed much of the traditional educational pattern of that day, but there was also a spirit of independence in educational policies and a willingness to innovate.
O.N. Hartshorn, the founder and first president, often referred to his cherished goal for Mount Union as that of a "cosmic institution for the people." He was backed wholeheartedly in this effort by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Lewis Miller, an industrialist and co-founder of Chautauqua.
Among the distinctive features of Mount Union College during the latter half of the l9th century, Hartshorn listed these: the early emphasis upon coeducation, elective studies, summer instruction and the four term plan, economy of expense, illustrative and integral education, and, of course Hartshorn's pride and joy, the museum.
Although Mount Union was not sponsored or founded by a religious denomination, it did gain the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church during the Civil War years. If this recognition added respect and dignity to the institution, it failed to help solve the perennial problem of indebtedness, a problem which was to plague the College for decades.
"The New Era" was the expression coined by President T.P. Marsh to describe his administration in the 1890s, when he attempted to bridge the gap between the educational policies of the l9th and 20th centuries. It was during this period that graduate work was offered at Mount Union and that one of the first basketball teams in the country was organized on the campus. However, it was not until the administration of William Henry McMaster who, along with his dedicated co-worker, Dean John Brady Bowman, established a "new college." They transformed the series of departments into the liberal arts college that we know today. In addition, together with the loyal support of a dedicated group of alumni and friends, they started the building of the campus.
It was during the early years of the McMaster presidency that Scio College, another small Methodist institution, was merged with Mount Union. If the history of Scio was brief, it was colorful -from the days of seminary instruction amid the leafy bowers at Harlem Springs to the "one-study" experiment by the banks of the "purling Conotton" and the fatal attempt to "mix oil and education." Actually, the closing of Scio resulted from the perennial problem of indebtedness and inability to bridge the gap between the educational policies of the 19th and 20th centuries.
President Charles B. Ketcham amplified this concept of McMaster and Bowman with his emphasis upon the church-related College and helped to lay the foundation for the " Changing campus," which marked the administration of President Carl C. Bracy, and the era of "transition from tradition."
Chapman Hall Classroom 1950s
It was President Ketcham who initiated the policy of the balanced budget, a policy which has been an asset and strength for the College since the early 1950s. It was during the administration of President Ronald G. Weber that the College faced a series of new and perplexing problems, those that arose during the days of turbulance and protest, civil rights and the Vietnam War. However, these problems were weathered successfully and the College kept right on course.
Since the end of World War II, the campus has literally been transformed with the construction of new buildings and facilities and the renovation of older buildings. The endowment has increased significantly, and there are further plans to enlarge it. The student body, although not composed of the "poor farm boys and girls" of Hartshorn's era, still represent deserving young people who seek out this campus for an education based on the Christian tradition and the liberal arts, but tempered by the realities of the computer age.
By N. Yost Osborne '36
Former Librarian and College Historian
Mount Union College Highlights
1950s
Carl Cluster Bracy became the sixth president of Mount Union College in 1954.
Bracy begins the Program for the Sixties, a fund-raising campaign hoping to raise $1.5 million for buildings, endowment, and the loyalty fund. At the end of the campaign in 1962, $1.7 million is raised.
1960s
In 1962, the Hoover-Price Campus Center is completed and named in honor of the Hoover Company and Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Price.
The campus celebrates the 100th year of existence of Chapman Hall. The building is gutted and rebuilt resulting in many improvements.
Also in 1966 the Timken Foundation of Canton announces the presentation of $750,000 to Mount Union to be used toward the cost of a new physical education building.
As Bracy finishes his term as president in 1967 he begins the Program of Advance, a campaign to raise $3.5 million for buildings and endowment for scholarships. When the campaign ends in 1969, $3,766,261 is raised.
In 1968 Ronald G. Weber becomes the seventh president of Mount Union College.
1970s
In 1970 the new physical education building is constructed and named the Timken Physical Education Building.
In 1974, under Jim Wuske, the Men's Cross Country Team grasps the title of NCAA Division III National Champions.
In 1976, Weber begins the Strength for the Eighties campaign which aims to raise $13 million for endowment, student aid, faculty development, and the new field house and life science buildings. When the campaign ends in 1982, $14.9 million is raised.
1980s
In 1980 G. Benjamin Lantz, Jr. becomes the eighth president of Mount Union College.
In 1983, Lamborn Science Hall is torn down after Tolerton-Hood Hall of Science is built.
In 1984, Foundation for Tomorrow, a campaign to raise $17.5 million for endowment, student aid, and faculty development, is begun by Lantz in August. At the end of the campaign in May of 1990, $20.3 million is raised.
In 1986, Dr. John D. Brumbaugh donates land six miles south of the campus in honor of his grandfather, Mr. John T. Huston. The land is used as a center for environmental education.
In 1986, Harold Kolenbrander becomes the ninth president of Mount Union College.
In 1988, the Schooler Foundation, under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Seward Schooler, sponsors the Schooler Lecture Series with former President Gerald Ford as the first speaker.
1990s
In 1991 the Progress with Tradition campaign begins, setting its goal at $36 million for LATTICE (campus computerization), building expansion, scholarship and financial aid, endowment, professorships, academic program enrichment and the Annual Fund. At the end of the campaign in December 1999, $63.6 million is raised.
During the summer of 1993, Mount Union begins LATTICE (Learning and Teaching through an Integrated Campus Environment). The project brings technological advances such as the Internet and e-mail.
In 1993, under the direction of head coach Larry Kehres, the Purple Raider football team seizes the NCAA Division III National Championship, they are also champions in 1996,1997 and 1998.
In 1994, Hoiles-Peterson Residence Hall is dedicated, a gift from Donald '39 and Josephine Hoiles '40 Peterson.
In 1996, the College begins a two-year celebration in honor of its 150th Anniversary. Dr. John Saffell, emeritus professor of history, wrote Wake the Echoes, An Updated History of Mount Union College.
Soldiers' Memorial Hall is razed and the plaques commemorating the soldiers' service are placed around the Bicentennial Bell Tower.
As part of the Progress with Tradition campaign, McPherson Center for Human Health and Well-being, Hoover-Price Campus Center renovations, Wable-Harter Building, Bica-Ross Residence Hall, New Residence Hall, Dewald Chapel and Kolenbrander-Harter Information Center are all dedicated.
2000s
In 2000, John L. Ewing, Jr. becomes the tenth president of Mount Union College.
In 2000, under the direction of head coach Larry Kehres, the Purple Raider football team seizes the NCAA Division III National Championship for the fifth time, they are also champions in 2001 and 2002.
In 2003, Bracy Hall, a 23 million dollar science facility, is dedicated. The lead gift for this facility was provided by Jim and Vanita '63 Oelschlager.
In 2005, Richard F. Giese becomes the eleventh president of Mount Union College.