A Chronology of Goucher College 1881-1996

A Chronology of Goucher College 1881-1996

compiled by Sarah D. Jones Librarian Emeritus additions and corrections by Frederic O. Musser Professor Emeritus

1984-1996 additions compiled by Sara Gilger Barnes '46

Second edition April 1997

Foreward

The following chronology was begun as a quick reference file for the Goucher College Library, and the inclusions reflect the types of events for which inquirers have over the years requested dates. The listing is based on The History of Goucher College by Anna Heubeck Knipp and Thaddeus P. Thomas (1938), short chronologies that have appeared from time to time in The Goucher Alumnae Quarterly, Donnybrook Fair, and elsewhere, and upon searches - - far from complete - - of Kalends, The Goucher Alumnae Quarterly, Minutes of the Board of Trustees, Minutes of the College Assembly, The Goucher College Weekly, Minutes of the Faculty, and other publications which are now being assembled in the College Archives Collection.

Professor Frederic O. Musser, researching the Bulletins of Goucher College for the Centennial Subcommittee on Historical Research and Publications, was able to add many events and to supply correct dates.

This list was not meant to be exhaustive; we welcome comments, corrections, additions and questions which will influence any later edition of the chronology and certainly the basic reference file in the library. Memoranda should be addressed to me at the Goucher College Library.

S.D.J.

A CHRONOLOGY OF GOUCHER COLLEGE 1881 - 1983

1881 The Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church established a committee to consider founding a conference seminary; the Rev. John F. Goucher was a member.

1883 The Rev. John B. Van Meter became the chairman of the Committee to Devise a Plan for the Establishment of a Baltimore Conference Seminary.

1884 The Women's Educational Association of the Baltimore Conference was organized to aid in the founding of a seminary in Baltimore.

A plan to found and endow a women's college in observance of the centennial of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America was formulated.

John F. Goucher offered a building site on condition that funds be raised for the erection of the necessary buildings and as a nucleus of an endowment fund.

1885 A charter was granted by the State of Maryland on January 26, incorporating the college under the name "The Woman's College of Baltimore City."

March 5. Funds necessary to the founding of a college were judged to have been obtained.

March 12. The Committee of the Conference reported back to the Conference that the charter and funds were completed, and the Committee was dismissed. (This was Dr. Van Meter's preferred date of the founding of the College.

1886 William H. Hopkins became first president (1886-1890); late, professor of classics.

1888 Sept. 13. The College opened for the registration of students.

Sept. 17. Classes began in Goucher Hall, the gift of Dr. Goucher.

Nov. 13. President Daniel C. Gilman of the Johns Hopkins University delivered the inagural address in the First Methodist Church (now Lovely Lane): "What May Be Secured by a Liberal Education?"

1889 Home A opened; later called Alfheim Hall, it was turned over to the Girls' Latin School in 1893.

Bennett Hall, the gift of B.F. Bennett in memory of his wife, was opened on December 10, the first "College Day."

The gift of a collection of mineral samples was made as the first acquisition of a Goucher Museum.

The Glee Club was organized, the first student club.

1890 The charter was amended, enlarging the power of the corporation and changing the name to The Woman's College of Baltimore.

The U.S. Commissioner in his annual report for 1889/90 placed the Woman's College of Baltimore in Division A of colleges for women.

1894

The first tennis tournament was won by the Class of 1897.

The first student rebellion was a demonstration of mourning over the faculty's ruling that male characters played by students in The Marble Faun wear ulsters and not trousers.

Archery Club was formed.

The first junior-senior banquet was given by the Class of 1894 to the Class of 1893.

At the request of students, the academic cap and gown were required to be worn by all students in all classes, chapel, and public functions.

The first honorary class member was chosen by the class of 1897: Dr. M.D. Babcock, minister of the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church. (The honorary members were later chosen by the class in the spring of their freshman year and announced at Sing-Song.)

Basketball was introducced.

The Christian Association, a branch of the Y.W.C.A. was organized; it was later known as the G.C.C.A., and evolved into the Goucher College Interfaith Association.

Home C was opened; it was later named Fensal Hall.

The first students were appointed to a Goucher Students' Table at Woods Hole Laboratory.

First A.M. degree was awarded.

Dr. Goucher made his first contribution to Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow, India, offering the salary of a professor.

1895

Bennett Hall annex opened.

"Economics and Charities" was offered, the first course leading toward social work as a career.

Publication of the first Donnybrook Fair by the Class of 1896.

Students played their first basketball game.

Home D opened; it was later called Vingolf.

1896

Dr. Hans Froelicher gave the first course in art criticism and history.

The Athletic Association was organized.

During the first class boat ride on the Chesapeake Bay, 1899 entertained 1897 with an orchestra and catered refreshments.

The seniors gave the first senior class gift to the college.

President Goucher brought to the trustees the need to build a place to keep the bicycles of students.

A Bureau of Appointments and Vocational Guidance was established.

The sophomores carried the daisy chain at the last night of Step-Singing.

The Department of Geology was eliminated, although some geology courses were offered until 1927.

1912

"The Babcock Report" of the U.S. Bureau of Education placed Goucher College in Class I of United States colleges and universities, one of six women's colleges and the only one south of the Mason-Dixon line.

1913

William W. Guth became fourth president (1913-1929).

The first $1,000,000 campaign was successfully concluded.

Approved summer work in other colleges was accepted for the first time.

The first Christmas carol service was held, and Agora presented the first all-college Christmas celebration, "Christmas in a Tudor castle."

The first Sing-Song originated in a class competition for new college songs.

A faculty Committee on Occupations and Vocational Guidance was formed to direct a re-organized Appointments Bureau.

1914

A charter amendment reduced the number of trustees appointed by conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The completion of twenty-five years of classes was celebrated.

A plan for major departments was adopted.

1915

The library moved to Alfheim Hall.

Biblical Literature and Comparative Religions, Philosophy, and Psychology, formerly one department, beame three.

The first intercollegiate game, basketball, was won by Bryn Mawr.

At the first Funeral Pyre, seniors burned books and notes of their "hates."

1916

Education courses were removed from the Department of Psychology and a separate Department of education was formed.

The Missouri System of Grading was adopted (grades A-F); students for the first tim were given their grades before commencement.

Latin was no longer required for admission.

Folkvang and Mardal Halls were opened.

Catherine Hooper Hall was extended to provide an auditorium seating 1000 and the first college organ was installed.

The faculty presented its first play, "Lochinvar," as if it were a movie.

The second $1,000,000 campaign successfully concluded.