The Building of a State: VII. The College of California [pp. 26-39]

3The College of California.
regular routine of college life seemed to be
well under way.
When things seemed to be ready in April,
i863, for the election of President, Rev. Dr.
W. G. T. Shedd, of New York, was chosen.
The appointment was forwarded to him, together with such information as would give
him as correct a view as possible of the importance of the Institution, and the opportunity for usefulness open before it on this
coast. At the same time it was said to him
that he might take time to become acquainted with all the facts, as we were in no pressing haste for his decision.
At the anniversary examination in June,
i863, the three classes were advanced, and
a new Freshman class was admitted from the
College School. William H. Brewer was
elected Professor of Natural Science, and
the college year i863-'64 opened in the new
building with the four classes, and the Faculty consisting of the Vice-President, and
Professors Durant, Kellogg, Brayton, and
Brewer, together with F. D. Hodgson, Instructor in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, C. L. Des Rochers, Teacher in French,
T. C. Barker, Teacher in German, and WV.
H. Cleveland, Teacher in Spanish. The
curriculum of study was very nearly that of
the older Eastern colleges, including, perhaps, something more of modern language.
The college bell used to ring strictly "on
time," and all the college exercises were
punctually attended. There was the genuine spirit of college life, both thorough and
manly.
THE FIRST COMNIMENCEMNIENT.
As soon as we had entered upon the
second term of the college year, 1 863-'64, we
began to prepare for Commencement and the
graduation of our first 61ass. We determined
to make this occasion as distinct a way-mark
as possible in the progress of the College.
Of course, there would be the usual commencement exercises, but these would not be
entirely new, because exercises similar to
them had occurred at our anniversaries for
years. The object was, to plan something
that would call together educated men, and
induce them to give a dav to learning and
the revival of college associations, and at the
same time interest them in this college and
give emphasis to our first Commencement.
We remembered the alumni gatherings at
the Eastern college commencements, and how
much they do to add interest to those occasions. We had no alumni. But it occured
to us to invite all college graduates to
our first commencement, providing them
a supper and an oration, poem, and so forth,
for themselves. So, first we consulted the
ladies, and they promised to provide the
collation and serve it in the College Chapel.
A note of invitation was then prepared in
the name of the Faculty of the College, inviting college graduates to a general alumni
meeting with us on the afternoon and evening of May 3 I st, I 864, Commencement being
on the day following, June ist, promising at
the same time an oration by John B. Felton,
and a poem by C. T. H. Palmer.
This note was sent to all known graduates. It awakened an unexpected interest.
The idea was new. It touched the college
nerve. It soon became evident that there
would be a full attendance. Preparations
were made accordingly. When the appointed day came, all things were ready. The
assembly convened for the oration and poem
in the Presbyterian church, which was then
situated in the grove near the present corner
of Harrison and Sixth Streets.
The house had been made ready for all
the exercises of this commencement occasion. Of course, it was crowded with people.
Those who could not get in found standing
room where they could hear, under the trees
near by the open windows. At the close of
these exercises the invited alumni present
went in procession, escorted by the members
of the college and the college school, through
the grove to the college chapel. There the
guests filed in and took their places at the
tables, and, at the signal from the President
of the occasion, Edward Tompkins, took their
seats. There were one hundred and twentyfive of them, representing some thirty-five
institutions of learning. Letters were received from twenty-five more, expressing re
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[July,