SOME IMPORTANT DATES IN THE LIFE
OF THE EARLY COLLEGE: 1873-1908
P.L. Johnson
(Secretary, Board of Trustees, 1903-1948)
August 19, 1873 Editorial: “Why Not Have a Presbyterian College in Hastings.”
November 19, 1873 Kearney Presbytery appoints a College Committee.
December 11, 1873 First temporary Board of Trustees appointed.
April 3, 1874 Report of College Committee to Kearney Presbytery takes place.
October 3, 1874 Kearney Presbytery presents overture to Synod.
April 19, 1875 Kearney Presbytery reaffirm support of Hastings College project.
October 23, 1875 Synod appoints College Committee of two from Presbytery.
1876 – 1878 Grasshoppers and drought descend upon mid-west.
October 11, 1879 Synod appointed College Committee to report at next meeting of Synod at the college.
September 14, 1881 Hastings requests Kearney Presbytery to appoint Board of Trustees.
May 10, 1882 Second Meeting of Board of Trustees of Hastings College; completes organization and incorporates Hastings College.
September 13, 1882 First Session of Hastings College opens in rented downtown quarters.
April 1, 1883 Reverend W.F. Ringland appointed as first President.
May 1883 Board of Aid for College and Academies is created.
April 25, 1883 Community tree planting on campus and in community.
April 25, 1883 Ground broken for McCormick Hall.
July 12, 1883 Laying of cornerstone for McCormick Hall.
April 26, 1884 Second community tree planting on campus and in community.
August 19, 1884 Laying of cornerstone for Ringland Hall.
October 10, 1884 Dedication of McCormick Hall.
October 11, 1884 Hastings College taken under care of Synod.
1885 Dedication of Ringland Hall.
January 28, 1889 Day of Prayer for colleges; $37,000 debt cleared.
1895 Dr. Ringland resigns as President to take a nationally important Presbyterian position.
Academic year 1985-96 Professor W.N. Filson acting President.
1896 Dr. Pattison elected President.
1900 Dr. Pattison resigns as President.
Academic year 1901-02 Professor Filson acting President.
1902 Dr. Wright elected President.
1907 Dr. Wright resigns as President.
Completion of $ 100,000 endowment.
Alexander Hall (dormitory for young ladies) completed.
The 25th year of the opening of Hastings College is celebrated. Dr. Ringland returned to deliver “an Historical Address for this occasion.
Academic year 1907-08 Professor Filson acting President.
1908 Dedication of Carnegie Library and Science Building
Dr. A.E. Turner elected President.