General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4
UNION COLLEGE
W. T. BLAND
This institution is now completing its tenth year, and in view of this fact it will be interesting to include in this report brief references to the past. GCB April 4, 1901, page 57.6
Since the last biennial report, the college has enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity. The enrollment has amounted to nine hundred and thirty-one. Good work has been performed by both teachers and students, a spirit of harmony has prevailed, and a feeling of confidence established generally throughout the district. GCB April 4, 1901, page 57.7
Making changes, by way of bringing about reforms in an institution of this kind, is generally fraught with more or less danger, and it is always best that such changes be made with much care. It is therefore a pleasure to report that while changes have been made, a feeling of general satisfaction prevails. The constant desire is to produce work of a more practical nature and higher character. GCB April 4, 1901, page 57.8
PRESENT AIMS
In offering outlines of work or courses of study, the great aim is to offer that which will give the best and quickest preparation for the important lines of work connected with the denomination. Thus at present much attention is given to the instruction and preparation of young men for the gospel ministry. A large number of young women are being carefully trained for church-school work. The importance of canvassing for our denominational literature is kept before the entire student body, and the best practical instruction to be obtained is furnished. To become efficient missionaries either for the home field or to enter foreign lands, is the desire of at least ninety per cent of the students of Union College. GCB April 4, 1901, page 57.9
COURSES OF STUDY
It has been felt by both teachers and students that better and more systematic work can be accomplished when carefully arranged plans have been made beforehand. This is especially true with young people, who need to form habits of thoroughness, and to have some definite object in view in all their efforts. Hence in order that the best results may be obtained, special courses of study have been outlined, leading to preparation for the different branches of the denominational work. Modified college courses—Scientific and Literary—are also offered to those who should go deeper in their studies, in order more thoroughly to fit them for responsible places. It is felt that the changes thus brought in, instead of lowering the intellectual standard of the school, have strengthened it, and at the same time put it on a decidedly more practical and spiritual basis. GCB April 4, 1901, page 57.10
ATTENDANCE
The college reached its highest attendance during the school year of 1892-93. After that the school in Texas was opened, and the Wisconsin Conference was added to the Battle Creek College district, thus cutting off a portion of the territory from which Union College had drawn a large number of students. During the last two years, however, the attendance has considerably increased. In fact, with the present dormitory arrangements the school is running at about its full capacity. GCB April 4, 1901, page 57.11
INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT
For lack of means the industrial department has not been built up as its importance really demands. Still, something has been done. GCB April 4, 1901, page 57.12
The college farm has been successfully operated for three years, and has furnished work for a large number of students. The profits from the farm during this time have practically paid for it. Printing and broom-making have also been successfully carried on, though not on as large a scale as their importance would seem to justify. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.1
Until the past year one of the most profitable features of the industrial department was the bakery, in which the various health foods were manufactured. Since the change was made, only such foods have been manufactured as are used in the college home. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.2
The industrial department should receive careful attention from the incoming board. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.3
CHURCH SCHOOLS
The managers of Union College have been interested in the establishment of church schools, and earnest efforts have been put forth by way of encouraging the churches in the district to take up this work, and of properly training teachers for the same. There is much to be done yet in this direction, and one of the most important features of the college work for several years to come will be the training of teachers for these schools. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.4
During the past year sixty-three church schools, enrolling about 1038 pupils, have been held in Union College district. Besides these, one Conference has supported a school with an enrollment of about forty. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.5
ENROLLMENT AND GRADUATES
The enrollment of the college during the ten years of its existence has been 4,116. Deducting one third as the approximate number of those counted more than once, the number of different students who have enjoyed the benefits of the college is nearly three thousand. Of this number one hundred and forty-nine have been graduated from some of the college courses. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.6
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
When the college was dedicated in 1891, it was formally turned over to the board of managers by the officers of the General Conference Association free from debt, and with the special request that it be kept so. And so far as the running expenses of the institution are concerned, this request has been strictly carried out. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.7
During the past year the total income amounted to $27,939.86, while the entire expenses were $22,872.56, leaving a balance of $5,067.30. This has been used largely in paying up back salaries of teachers, and in making some needed improvements and repairs. The prospect is that the running expenses for the present year will be fully met. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.8
When the college was completed, all bills had been paid, or were, as was supposed, fully secured by notes held by the General Conference Association. These notes were given largely for real estate, consisting of town lots in College View. The financial depression in 1893 and onward caused so great a depreciation in the value of real estate, that these notes were largely repudiated, thus involving the Association in an unexpected indebtedness of several thousand dollars. An attempt is now being made to lift this through the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” which has already amounted to $10,363.37. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.9
SPIRITUAL INTERESTS
In closing this report I would make special mention of the religious privileges enjoyed by the students. While there are always a few who repel any tendency toward Christianity, yet this year, more than usual, there has been a decided spiritual awakening among the large majority of the students. A desire to prepare for greater responsibilities, and to do earnest, aggressive work for the Master, prevails. At different times during the year the Spirit of God has moved upon the hearts of the students with great power. The interest taken in the Sabbath-school work and the missionary society, and the freedom manifested in prayer and social meetings, have been greater than in the past. Especially have a number of our students felt stirred to prepare themselves for foreign mission work. GCB April 4, 1901, page 58.10
W. T. BLAND, Pres.