  For
more than half a century this institution has stood for sound learning
and correct principle. Organized in 1849 and chartered in 1850 at
Huntsville, its early history is indissolubly connected with the
formation era in the history of this great empire State. Its. founder,
Dr. Daniel Baker, was the friend of Houston and the Austins. Just what
influence he wielded in the development of Texas statehood will
probably never be known. At all events he held Stephen F. Austin to
such high regard that he strongly and successfully urged the newly
pledged college to be made his namesake. And that day to this, it has
stood like the immortal heroes of the early days, unshaken and
uncompromising in ideas of truth, manhood and true culture. Much
of its most interesting history has never been written. But it goes
without saying that an institution that has weathered the storm blasts
of fifty winters, the fire of civil war, financial panics, and the
disintegrating effects of adverse criticism and ill-founded jealousy
must have some indestructible enduring power. And the situation is easy
of comprehension. It has been from its incipiency philathropie in its
character. The statement is probably correct that no student was ever
turned from its doors because of inability to pay tuition. What a
record! For fifty years and more the great work of equipping men has
been going on within its walls! Through the years when schools and
churches were scarce and meager, through the period of public school
development and working side by side with the government, through the
era of the inauguration of the University when the hopes of the most
advanced ...(illegible)... were seemingly to be consummated, on to the
...(illegible) the grandest century of the world's history. So times
buoyed with bright prospect, sometimes over-burdened with debt, ever
moving steadily onward, never wavering in its purpose of affording to
the youth of our country the opportunity of thorough Christian
scholarship - what a record! Its bitterest enemies would hardy make the
assertion in the face of her alumni who occupy the pulpit, bar, and
desk of this great commonwealth, who till her soil, who develop her
industries, who tend her cattle on the immense prairies. And yet the college is not antiquated. Manned college and University bred instructors of the period of the "new education," she has quietly adapted herself to new and growing conditions. Positive in their convictions that the best intellectual and moral results are obtained by the separation of the sexes during the period of adolescence, these men have constantly striven to elevate the standard of Christian scholarship, to throw around the young man in his formative years such influences as would best develop a well rounded character, and make him secure in the possession a firm self reliant manhood. The elective system of studies has been adopted to a reasonable extent. Without taking the position that the undergraduate is capable of a wise selection in his entire education, such discretionary judgment has been accorded him as would ten to make him weigh for himself the relative value of various branches of study with reference to his own particular career. The boarding system is one that has been thoroughly tested by the college through a decade or more of years. Approved homes surrounding the campus receive students, gibing to the young men away from home such advantages and privileges of home life as are possible. In addition to this is a dining hall on the campus in charge of a gentleman and his wife, which cheapens boarding expenses very materially. The boys in the "mess club" do their own purchasing and the lady supervises the preparation of the meals. Dormitories on the campus can be furnished by students desiring to occupy them additional reduction of expenses. It is possible fore an economical student to attend the college for a year for an expenditure under two hundred dollars, which is almost as cheap as living at home. Everything at present points to the continued growth of the institution. The aim is to keep in touch with the people, to meet their demands as far as is practicable and consistent with the great principles of true education and culture regarding which there can be no honorable compromise.   Austin College History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |