Rose Glass

“ He was also a builder of faith in the school's future possibilities. He organized a comprehensive, well-coordinated curriculum of academic studies, supplemented by strong departments of music and art, courses in domestic science, plus a well-rounded program of physical education, including outdoor sports, tennis, hockey and golf, all of which provided superior opportunities for cultivating the latent powers of a young woman. He surrounded himself with a capable, devoted faculty who shared his hopes and dreams and gladly helped to translate them into reality. ”

“ Brumbaugh the affiliation with the University of Chicago was renewed and strengthened. Under his leadership the trustees and faculty of Shimer College laid plans for significant educational developments. It is the hope of those associated with the College that these new developments will be, in the worlds of the Psalmist, that are indicated on the Shimer seal, "When our sons shall be as plants grown up in their youth; and our daughters as cornerstones hewn after the fashion of a palace, happy is the people that is in such a case." ”

“ As one contemplates the prodigious labors and shrewd management that crowned with success the career of Mrs. Shimer one is reminded of the saying, "Never underestimate the power of a woman." Her ingenuity and resourcefulness seemed equal to every emergency. ”

“ Shimer College History (1853-1950)
"Improvement and progress are duties," motto of the Oread Society of Mount Carroll Seminary, might well serve as the theme of Shimer College history throughout the first hundred years of its progressive development, which reached its century mark on Founder's Day, May 11, 1953. For the small acorn, planted by two courageous women in May, 1853, has grown and spread into an oak of strength and beauty, a school that has steadily improved and progressed through good and bad years, to reach a proud place in the educational world. ”

“ Substantial gifts made possible new tennis courts, redecorating "The Grill," the popular student social center and snack bar in the basement of Hathaway Hall, a Hammond organ for the chapel, the gift of Dr. Culver's wife as a memorial to him, more scholarships and increased endowments.
Through the inspired leadership of Mr. W.A. McKnight, a trustee and father of Ann McKnight, a Shimer graduate who has distinguished herself in the operatic world, a big fund-raising campaign was launched in behalf of the school, now in need of a new dormitory. ”

“ Her clock struck twelve when in 1876 bids for the construction of the second or east wing were so much in excess of the school's ability to pay, while the need for expansion was so urgent, that Mrs. Shimer turned architect and building superintendent, had stone quarried, timber cut, lumber sawed and brick made from land she owned or purchased, with machinery she bought and by men she employed. She supervised the details of construction, heating, ventilating, plumbing, and lighting, and completed the building at a cost much less than the lowest bid. One must exclaim, "What a woman!" ”

“ Simple life, early hours and good nourishing food spelled health for Seminary girls.
Mrs. Shimer, always sympathetically interested in aiding worthy, needy, promising girls to secure an education, offered a Normal Department scholarship to one future teacher in every county of the state and every township in Carroll County, while daughters of ministers, soldiers, and Chicago fire sufferers were given reduced rates. Ambitious students earned part of their expenses working in the Manual Labor Department. ”

“ Its inspired service to youth through succeeding generations has fully justified the faith of its founders, whose dream of educational usefulness has found its realization in the college of today.
Frances Ann Wood, with her friend and ally, Cindarella Gregory, "builded better than they knew" when, in spite of hardships, obstacles, difficulties and discouragements, they labored unfalteringly to give to the new West the educational advantages sorely needed by young folks of those pioneer days. ”

“ Miss Hostetter, now retired from her faculty post, retains only her alumni duties and the editorship of the Alumni News. Nevertheless, her close connection with Shimer College continues, for she now holds a new position of trust and honor, serving as secretary of the Board of Trustees, a fitting finale to her many years of usefulness at the school. ”

“ In spite of this discouraging outlook, stout-hearted Frances writes, "We number but twenty-five as yet, but we are just commencing, its a new thing." "I don't care if we only pay our way for a time, if we can ultimately have a school that will be appreciated." Fannie Bartholomew Bailey, one of the first eleven pupils, comments, "Then was first displayed that perseverence and energy, that courage to combat difficulties, that has ever characterized the work of the Principal, Mrs. F.A. Wood Shimer." ”

“ Bro's administration, Dean L.A. Wilson introduced the "Shimer Plan" of a general education curriculum, including the greatest writings in the various fields of knowledge, with the help of teachers who shared a common sense of purpose and vision. A literary outlet for the students was the Shimer Record, a magazine in which appeared original poems, sketches and essays by the students The Green Curtain Club went merrily on its way year after year putting on very ambitious stage productions such as "Oedipus Rex," "Stage Door," "Ladies in Retirement," and "Taming of the Shrew." ”

“ Miss Wood states, "As we claim the female mind is susceptible of the same cultivation as the male, and that there is equal demand for it, the same graduating course is prescribed for both. Their minds will be trained to vigorous thought, enlarged views and practical efficiency ... The time devoted to each study is not specified as students will be advanced from class to class according to their progress." ”

“ He became a learned scientist and expert taxidermist, many of his specimen and collections going to the Smithsonian Institution and to the Chicago and St. Louis Academies of Science. Hence he was a real acquisition to the faculty of the Seminary and also served as resident physician with a wide country practice.
During the dark days of the Civil War most of the young men students joined the army -- the young recruits drilling on a vacant square across the street from the school. ”

“ After Pearl Harbor the school promptly organized for Civilian Defense, each dormitory a unit; girls enrolled for Red Cross work, First Aid and Home Mechanics, Nutrition classes and an Ambulance unit. In these days Shimer girls were chaperoned to U.S.O. dances at the Ordnance Training School in Savanna and the Medical Training school in Clinton, Iowa. Service men were also invited to dances in the Shimer gym. Many alums joined the WAVES, WACS, SPARS or Women Marines.
Dr. Bro sponsored the International Relations Club, and in 1948 instituted "Dad's Day" on the campus. ”

“ Miss Hostetter was a graduate of the University of Chicago, had later done graduate work there, at the Sorbonne in Paris and at Columbia, and had travelled extensively in Europe. She had served her apprenticeship as a teacher at Central College, Pella, Iowa, Annie Wright Seminary, Tacoma, Washington, and Christian College, Columbia, Missouri, before joining the faculty at Frances Shimer. ”

“ Shimer's will and Miss Joy's also, added considerably to the school's endowment.
In the midst of the Dean's building program, on the night of February 9, 1906, fire, supposedly caused by a short circuit, destroyed all of the old buildings as well as new South Hall. A teacher, awakened by crumbling plaster falling on her face, rose, saw flames reflected on the surface of the snow outside, grabbed her violin, and hurried to arouse the girls of South Hall who rushed from their rooms in night clothes and bathrobes, each trying to save something ”

“ In 1857, in the midst of the second building project, a financial panic struck the country. Business and industry were paralyzed with fear and distrust. Workmen, uncertain of their pay, laid down their tools. ”

“ The young ladies, no less patriotic, made uniforms for their soldier school-mates, as well as beautiful flags for the companies that went from Mount Carroll.
By 1866 crowded conditions caused the elimination of young men students. The next year the school housed 100 boarders and many day pupils.
After being connected with the school eighteen years as educational director, Miss Gregory withdrew, Mrs. Shimer purchasing her interest in 1870. Shortly thereafter, Miss Gregory became the wife of the Rev. ”

“ On October 24, 1854, the school moved into the new building with twenty-five boarders and twice as many day pupils, and was formally organized as Mount Carroll Seminary under the control of a reorganized Board of Trustees. Both young men and young women were received, and Misses Wood and Gregory retained as principals. ”