ORGANIZATION OF HASTINGS COLLEGE

IN ITS EARLY YEARS

The name to be Hastings College.

The temporary trustees named above with the following:

The College to be incorporated by April 1^st, 1882, or as soon thereafter as practicable, and to have a school of advanced order instituted by October 1^st, 1882.

May 10, 1882, Temporary Board of Trustees, together with Wigton, Oliver, Hewitt, Lawson, Sowers, Palmer, Fisher, Clarke, Williams, and Lowman met to organize. Subscription list submitted and Articles of Incorporation adopted.

Presidency: Meeting called to hear report of attempt to secure the Rev. D. S. Schaff as president. Mr. Schaff declined election.

The Hansen tract of twenty acres accepted as a site, gift of Joseph H. Hansen.

Salaries of professors not to exceed $1,000, that of the president not to exceed $1,200.

Letter from Dr. A. G. Wilson declining the presidency, except on certain conditions which could not be met, hence his proposal declined.

Committee appointed to secure rooms, reported securing the upper story of the Chilcote Building, consisting of six rooms for $400 for eleven months.

Prof. George E. White engaged as Professor of Languages for one year at a salary of $600.

Prof. Wilson, chair of Mathematics and Science, recommends the employment of a "female" teacher. Judge Hewitt authorized to secure Miss Brewer at a salary of $450 per year, or, if she declined the position, Miss Cowles at the same figure. Miss Brewer accepted the position.

Voted to hold opening exercises on Tuesday evening next (Sept. 13^th?) in the Presbyterian Church and to hold a reception immediately afterwards in the rooms secured for the use of the school.

President authorized to secure a loan of $1,000 on best terms possible. Object not stated.

Mr. Rittenhouse, architect, showed plans for a building at estimated cost of $10,305.00. Mr. Weigal showed plans for a building at estimated cost of $9,800.00. Action postponed.

Mr. Heartwell reported that he had secured the loan of $1,000 at ten percent for one year, and had turned the same over to the treasurer on December 26^th. Loan secured from Mr. A. E. Bartlet. Treasurer instructed to turn over to him notes in treasury to the amount of $3,000 as security.

Rittenhouse plans for building accepted provided cost shall not exceed $10,000.

President J. B. Heartwell reported that he had received $300 from a friend, and that it could be procured at the rate of ten percent, and that the college needed the money. Loan approved and treasurer instructed to turn over to Mr. A. V. Benton notes to the amount of $1,000 as security.

Pres. and Sec. authorized to borrow $1,000.

 Rev. W. F. Ringland, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, elected President of the College at a salary of $200 per annum, he to remain as pastor of the Church.

C. C. Rittenhouse instructed to draw plans and specifications and to superintend the construction of the building for one percent of the cost plus his notes which are to be returned to him. The total of the notes covering his subscription was $50.

Cornerstone of McCormick Hall laid with address by Dr. D. S. Gregory.

J. B. Heartwell offers to give $10,000 to Hastings College, either in cash or in good notes drawing eight  percent interest, principal payable one fifth or more each year, said funds to be used by the Executive Comm. in erecting the south building

J. B. Heartwell offers as follows: If the citizens of Hastings will give $10,000 either in cash or in good notes at eight percent, the principal to be payable one fifth or more annually said funds to be used by the Executive Comm, in erecting the south building on the campus, I (Heartwell) will give a like sum to the College, five thousand dollars to be paid in cash as required to complete the said building, and five thousand dollars in endowment notes drawing eight percent interest, principal payable on or before five years and secured by good collateral provided the terms of this offer are met on or before April 1, 1884.

Committee reported that the required subscription had  been secured, and Mr. Heartwell’s offer was accepted.  List showed that Mr. Heartwell himself had subscribed $1,000 making a total of $11,000 which he contributed. 

Plans prepared by C. C. Rittenhouse accepted. Former building Comm. continued.

First building named McCormick Hall.

President authorized to borrow $10,000 on any lands belonging to the College except the north half of the campus.

Loan of $6,000 on block one and the north half of the Loan campus grounds and a loan of $8,000 on block two and the south half of the campus grounds.

Mr. Wm. E. Andrews hired to teach Latin and History.

Officers authorized to borrow $7,000 on the south half of the campus and block eight at eight percent.

Dr. Ringland reported having collected $56.40 on his recent tour through Pennsylvania. His expenses were $112 for railroad fare, boarding, and printing. (Railroad fare, 70.35; boarding, $30.50; printing, $11.15)

Letter from C. H. McCormick donating $3,000 more to the College. Voted to set this money aside for use in completing McCormick Hall.

Prof. G. E. White presents resignation.
Pres. Ringland’s salary fixed at $500 while the present relations between the College, Dr. Ringland, and the Presbyterian Church continue.

Janitor of McCormick Hall allowed $18.00 per month for the winter term.

The College was now determined to raise endowment of not less than $50,000 during the coming year $20,000 in Hastings and vicinity, $10,000 in the state, and $20,000 outside of the state.