DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 33 



The total nunihcr of sliidcnts enrolled in the Mechanical Department 

 during the year was three hundred and eighty (380). 



In June, 1904, Mr. (Jeorge Tryon, after serving the Department efficiently, 

 as instructor, during the year following his graduation, resigned in order 

 to engage in practical engineering work. Mr. 0. N. Blair, a graduate of 

 the Kansas State Agricultural College, was engaged in September, 1905, 

 to take the jjosition vacated by Mr. Tryon. 



Mr. Paul Theodore, -who had been connected with the Department as 

 foreman of the forge shop for a period of over fifteen years, and who had 

 made a most excellent record as an instructor both in the forge shop and 

 machine shop, resigned his position in August, 1904, and entered the employ 

 of a Lansing manufacturing concern. Mr. Theodore's resignation was 

 exceedingly regretted, not only by the officers of the Department but by 

 the faculty as a whole, — his long period of service having led to a general 

 appreciation of his ability as an instructor. In September, 1904, Mr. Lee 

 Chappell, of Detroit, was engaged to take the position vacated by Mr. Theo- 

 dore. 



The latter part of August, 1904, Mr. Herman W. Reynolds, assistant 

 professor of mechanical engineering, tendered his resignation in order to 

 accept a professorship at the University of California. Mr. Reynolds had 

 been with the department over a period of four years, during which time, 

 he served the Department efficiently as instructor, senior instructor and 

 assistant professor. 



Mr. W. W. Wells, formerly an instructor at this college, but recently 

 with the Ball Engine Company of Erie, Pa., w^as retained as an instructor 

 in this Department, in September, 1904. 



In our last report, we stated that owing to the number of students han- 

 dled and the consequent necessity of carrying on the Department pay roll 

 several special assistants, the yearly increase in equipment could be but 

 limited under the apportionment allowed. During the past year, we regret 

 to say, there has been no important addition to the equipment of the De- 

 partment. 



As a matter of record, we must again refer to the just need in the De- 

 partment of additional room for classes. The failure to provide such room 

 will, in our opinion, lead to a material decrease, in the immediate future, 

 in the attendance of engineering students at this college. 



During the past year a large amount of work has been carried forward 

 in connection with the central heating, lighting and power plant planned 

 by the writer. . The system of tunnels called for by the plans has been 

 completed. Murray & Ayres of Saginaw, Michigan, were the contractors 

 for the tunnel work. The power house has been practically completed, 

 Hoertz & Son of Grand Rapids, Michigan, being the general contractors 

 and the Russel Wheel & Foundry Company of Detroit, Michigan, being 

 contractors for the structural steel work. Four boilers with stoker equip- 

 ment have been installed in the house. The steam piping has been installed 

 in the tunnels and practically covered, this w^ork having been done by the 

 College. Numerous details in connection with the work has been finished, 

 such as making a river connection for pumps, also w^ell connection for 

 pumps, etc. 



I take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the services rendered 

 5 



