MEMBERS OF THE EARLY FACULTY 



ALBERT JOHN COOK, 1862 



Brothers and Sisters, Alumni and Alumnae, and Friends All: 



I come with you to bring my tribute of respect, admiration, 

 and love for our cherished Mother, under peculiar difficulties. 

 When the summons came to leave duty and join in the glad 

 festivities, I thought it would be quite impossible. But when 

 the invitation came to speak for the men who planted this 

 institution, men who seemed inspired in thought and purpose, 

 so well did they build; men who worked with a Titan's energy; 

 how could I say "No," though obstacles, high as Olympus, 

 pushed themselves between me and this beloved place ? Besides, 

 no other one living knew all the men who wrought so admirably 

 to lay the foundations of this splendid institution, who though 

 they must grope in unknown fields, yet varied not from the 

 course to the stars. 



The late James A. Garfield spoke wisely in his memorable 

 eulogy of President Mark Hopkins. Yet forsooth, unless the 

 log were very short, there were better no log at all. Not even 

 a log held the early professors of this College away from those 

 first fortunate students. Indeed, it was the glory of the old 

 Michigan Agricultural College that teacher and student were in 

 closest touch. We old boys were ever welcome to closest inti- 

 macy with Williams, Abbot, Tracy, Thurber, and Miles, and 

 we shall never fully appreciate the value of the inspiration that 

 came to us from such helpful and wholesome association. A 

 college is just what its teaching force its faculty gives out 

 of energy, scholarship, and character. Were there ever teachers 

 of more sterling stuff, more keenly alive to duty, than was that 

 fine galaxy of men who so eagerly opened to us the pages of 



71 



