DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 



REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT. 



To The Honorable State Board of Agriculture: 



Gentlemen — I have the honor to submit herewith, my report as President 

 for the year ending June 30, 190o. 



The prosperity of the college during the past few years shows no signs of 

 alDating. The enrollment during the 3'ear passed the one thousand mark. 

 This is an increase of about one hundred over the preceding year. 



The trend of education in this state seems to be strongly toward the type 

 fostered by this institution. This would indicate that the growth of the 

 college in the future would depend very largely upon the liberality of the 

 state in providing teachers and equipment. We have reason to feel grate- 

 ful for the kind interest and substantial aid given by the state in past years 

 and it is to be hoped that even a more liberal policy may be followed in the 

 future. Why shoidd not those who expect to follow industrial jiursuits be 

 given equal opportunities to prepare for their life work with those who ex- 

 pect to follow a profession? If the state will furnish equal opportunities 

 this institution will be required to do a great work in the future. 



By the opening of our next school year our new heating and electric light- 

 ing system will be ready for use. This system will be ver}^ complete and 

 is so designed and constructed as to anticipate the needs of the college for 

 many years. It is not the purpose at this time to give a detailed descrip- 

 tion of this plant. It is to be hoped, however, that our engineer, Professor 

 Chas. L. Weil, will issue later, a report of this plaiit accompanied with de- 

 scriptive plans and illustrations. 



An entire new water system was constructed at an expense of about 

 S9,000, also two new wells were added to the two already in use. These 

 wells are about 360 feet deep and furnish the college community with an 

 abundant supply of excellent water. 



I regret to record the destruction by fire of Wells Hall. This occurred 

 in the early morning of February 11th. The fire was first discovered in 

 the basement partition between the rooms occupied by the Hesperian So- 

 cietv and a boarding club. The hallwavs of the west ward were so full of 

 smoke when the fire was discovered that the students living on the third 

 floor were compelled to come down the fire escapes. In a short time, not 

 more than five or six minutes, our volunteer fire department had the hose 

 stretched and was ready for action. Great credit is due to our fire depart- 

 ment for prompt and efficient work and had not the partitions been honey- 

 combed from the basement to the roof, their services would have been 

 effective. 



