AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 435- 



ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES. 



COMMEMORATING THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OPENING 



OF THE COLLEGE, MAY 13, 1857. 



Exercises commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the opening of 

 the College, were held in the College chapel on Thursday, June 17, 1897, 

 at 3 o'clock p. m. 



Hon. C. J. Monroe, vice president of the board, presided. Mr. Monroe 

 was a member of the first class at the College. 



Hon, Geo. Willard of Battle Creek, who was a member of the State 

 Board of Education in 1857, then in charge of the College and who was. 

 also present at the opening, delivered the address. 



Mr. Frank Hodgman, class '62, read a poem, ''Forty Years Ago." 

 Short addresses were delivered by Hon. William Ball, president State 

 Agricultural Society; Hon. Geo. B. Horton, master State Grange; Hon. 

 J. T. Daniels, president State Association of Farmers' Clubs; Prof. James 

 Satterlee, class '69; Prof. W. C. Latta, class '77. 



FORTY YEARS AGO. 



FRANK HODGMAN, '62. 

 [Written for the Fortietti Anniversary of M. A. C.J 



How swift the rolling wheels of time, dear chum, have sped along 

 Since that old bell's sweet loving chime first cheered us with its song. 

 As we were toiling on our way with footsteps tired and slow. 

 Along the muddy road from town some forty years ago. 



Forty years ago: Forty years ago: 

 It does not seem that it can be quite forty years ago. 



Full many a lad from far and wide had spent the night in town, 

 And with the early morning tide were off for College bound. 

 And, as we crossed the river Grand, we watched the bubbles go 

 Beneath the wooden bridge that spanned it forty years ago. 



Forty years ago: Forty years ago: 

 The river seems much smaller uow than forty years ago. 



When half the toil.some way was passed, we rested by the stone 

 Within whose cleft a cherry pit had taken root and groAvn; 

 The cleft was not so very wide; just half an inch or so: 

 The little tree scarce touched its side some forty years ago. 



Forty years ago: Forty years ago: 

 The cleft has spread; the tree has grown since forty years ago. 



.lust as we. reached the river bend we heard the college bell; 

 Its mellow tones, so rich and clear, came o'er us like a spell. 

 With quickened footsteps on we sped, in answer to its call. 

 Along the winding road which led us to the college hall. 



Forty years ago: Forty years ago: 

 With many a crook and turn, it led us, forty years ago. 



