The Scientific Department is composed of fifteen different schools, and this number may be expanded according to the number of instructors employed. Its characteristic features are the cultivation of all the Sciences, original inquiry and freedom to select from these schools studies, within certain prescribed limits, according to the peculiar taste of the student. This curriculum will lead to four different degrees, according to the selections made from the schools. It is, consequently, varied sufficiently to please all, from the classically inclined to the devotee of science, and full and thorough enough to satisfy the demands which the age is making upon Colleges. Indeed, the general, but constant, aim will be to make the college a more potent and independent factor, through its influence, for moulding public opinion and elevating public life, in religion, in education, in government and in the industries of the country. In order better to do this, and believing that the time has come when there is a wise demand for three different institutions in our national educational system, the Preparatory school, the College, and the University, the authorities have abolished the Preparatory Department heretofore connected with the College, and will give their influence to the up-building throughout the State of first class preparatory schools, which may act as feeders to the Colleges. The lack of such schools has greatly retarded the advancement of education throughout the whole country. College work should begin where that of the better class of lower schools closes, and end where the best Universities take it up. This is the rational, economical plan, and the one that Trinity proposes to follow. Thus each of the three institutions will be better able to do its peculiar work. The College will be relieved and can, in turn, relieve the Universities of the burden of doing College work, and then the Universities can engage their powers in answering the demand for true University work.
This is a general statement of the Faculty’s plan for the future work and management of the College, but they are not alone in the work. They have an active, energetic Board of Trustees to co-operate and assist by action as well as by word. It is the Board’s purpose and determination, so far as in them lies, to make and keep the institution the peer of the best of its kind in the South. Upon them, in a large measure, devolves the financial support and management and, consequently, the success of the institution. To this demand they are ready to respond, and are responding. Every one that has given the subject thought concurs with the late Dr. Craven that “to meet the demand of the times, keep pace with improvements and growth, and hold equal pace with a host of noble competitors, one hundred thousand dollars endowment must be realized at an early day. Her alumni and friends can do the work.” While the endowment has long been delayed, Trinity has done a work without it, of which any institution might be proud. But with this fund partly raised and the rest well under way, we think we see a career before Trinity that will make glad the heart of every Methodist and of every friend of christian education, provided always that he has done his part in consummating the noble work. To do this fully requires only an effort from each one. Then will not every one unite hands with the devoted, self-sacrificing Faculty and earnest Board of Trustees in achieving a work that is to surprise the most hopeful? What say you, reader? or, rather, what will you do toward securing this nucleus of an endowment?
SENIOR CLASS OF ’88.
William Eugene Fink was born in Cabarrus county, N. C., Nov. 2nd, 1862; alternately worked on his father’s farm and attended neighboring schools until eighteen years of age; then joined a ‘trestle-building gang’ on the Ducktown Rail Road, and continued employed in this occupation for one year; returned home and entered North Carolina College January, ’82, where he remained till May 20th, ’83; entered the Freshman Class at Trinity College September 10th, ’83; was out during the session of ’84-’5; returned and entered the Sophomore Class August 25th, ’85. After receiving his diploma, Mr. Fink will rusticate for the summer upon his father’s farm; he will then seek the broad plains of the West, and join the revelries of the ‘coyotes’ and the Indians and the cow-boys.
James Joseph Scarboro, first saw the light in Montgomery county, N. C., July 23rd, 1863; worked upon his father’s farm till 1883, attending the common schools of the community when such were being taught; entered, after 1883 Mt. Gilead High School, and there under the tuition of Prof. R. H. Skeen, remained two years; entered the Sophomore class at Trinity College in August, ’85. Mr. Scarboro proposes to make teaching his life work.
Edward L. Ragan was born March 26th, 1864, at “Bloomington,” N. C.; labored on the farm until 1881, sometimes attending public schools; entered, in 1881, the Preparatory Department at Trinity College; left college in ’82, and sold goods in High Point; re-entered college at Trinity in ’85, this time joining the Freshman Class, half advanced. When Mr. Ragan receives his diploma, he intends to till the soil.
Joseph Amos Ragan was born at “Bloomington,” N. C., Sept. 26th, 1865. He, too, farmed and attended public schools. His principle occupation while on the farm was driving oxen, and he tells some amusing incidents about his “tail-twisting” experience. Mr. Ragan entered the Preparatory Class at Trinity in ’81, but after ’82 dropped out. He re-entered College in ’85. Mr. Ragan has not fully decided as to his occupation after leaving college, but thinks he will teach or read medicine.
William Alexander Barrett, entered this world in Caswell county, N. C., the 2nd or 4th day of February, 1867. Being a Methodist preacher’s son, he has had no fixed home, having lived in nine or ten different towns in North Carolina, but in not one of them longer than four years. The meagre preparation which Mr. Barrett had to enter college was obtained at Statesville Male Academy. He entered the Freshman Class at Trinity College in August of ’85. Mr. Barrett intends to make the law his profession.