Susquehanna University - 1858 to 1894

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  • Location Covered = Selinsgrove – Snyder – Pennsylvania – United States

About This Collection

This collection contains the archive of documents, photographs and brief publications and correspondence revolving around the evolution of Susquehanna University from 1857 through 1894.
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Graduating Class of 1890
Graduating Class of 1890
Alumni & alumnae, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Dimm, Jonathan Rose, b.1830
A photograph of the 1890 Missionary Institute graduating class. Located at the left of the first row is Professor Jonathan Dimm.
Graduation Exercises
Graduation Exercises
Programs, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Graduation ceremonies
One of the topics for the speech given at the June 1890 commencement was on "Execution by Electricity". Not only was the topic controversial; it was also a sign of the changing times since electricity was new to the general public.
Gustavus Adolphus Hall
Gustavus Adolphus Hall
Buildings, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Universities & colleges
Named in honor of of the three-hundredth birthday of the savior of Protestantism against Catholicism in the infamous Wars of Religion in Europe (1618-48), Gustavus Adolphus Hall was built in 1895. A fire destroyed the building in 1964.
Health of Selinsgrove Letter - page 2.
Health of Selinsgrove Letter - page 2.
Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Correspondence
The second page of the letter concerning the health of Selinsgrove includes signatures of Selinsgrove citizens and physicians.
Inside of the 1894 Commencement Program
Inside of the 1894 Commencement Program
Examinations, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Graduation ceremonies
Final examinations were given orally during Commencement. The public was welcome to observe the students during their examinations.
Institute Building / Selinsgrove Hall
Institute Building / Selinsgrove Hall
Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Buildings, Susquehanna University
Dedication of the Institute Building took place on November 9, 1859. It became Selinsgrove Hall in 1895 to honor the citizens of Selinsgrove responsible for the school's creation.
The Institute Journal
The Institute Journal
Universities & colleges, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Newspapers
The Institute Journal was the Missisionary Institute's first publication. It was written by faculty and students, edited by Jonathan Dimm, the Institute's 5th President, and was published monthly begining in October of 1891. In 1898 it became The Susquehanna.
Letter from Selinsgrove Borough to the Missionary Institute in Baltimore
Letter from Selinsgrove Borough to the Missionary Institute in Baltimore
Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Correspondence
The citizens of Selinsgrove wrote the Board of managers of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Institute in Baltimore stating that they had secured subscription to give to the proper officers to have the Missionary Institute built in their town. On May 3rd 1858, Selinsgrove was selected for the site of the Missionary Institute.
Letter from Selinsgrove to Kurtz regarding the Missionary Institute Site Selection
Letter from Selinsgrove to Kurtz regarding the Missionary Institute Site Selection
Universities & colleges, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Correspondence
Benjamin Kurtz, the Missionary Institute founder and 1st President, had put out the word that he wanted to start a school where men could learn how to be teachers of the Gospel. For the location he was seeking a farm of about fifty or sixty acres, close to a city or large town and a railroad. This document is the formal letter from the citizens of Selinsgrove announcing their subscription of $22,000 and fifty students that could attend the first year of the school's opening.
Missionary Institute Faculty and Students
Missionary Institute Faculty and Students
Students, Teachers, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University
The last photo of the faculty and students of the Evangelical Missionary Institute before it became Susquehanna University in 1895.
Missionary Institute Founder
Missionary Institute Founder
Kurtz, Benjamin, 1795-1865, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Kurtz, Benjamin, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Insitute, Susquehanna University, College presidents.
Benjamin Kurtz was the founder and president of the Missionary Institute from 1858 to 1865. He was also the first professor of the Theology Department.
Missionary Institute Site Selection - page 2
Missionary Institute Site Selection - page 2
Universities & colleges, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Correspondence
The second page of the letter from the citizens of Selinsgrove to Kurtz about the site of the Missionary Institute.
Missionary Institute Student Body
Missionary Institute Student Body
Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Insitute, Susquehanna University, Students
This is one of the last student bodies of the Missionary Institute before the name was changed to Susquehanna University in 1895. The professor sitting in the front row left is Jonathan Rose Dimm, who later became the University's 2nd President in 1895.
Missionary Institute's Student Body
Missionary Institute's Student Body
Students, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Dimm, Jonathan Rose, b.1830
A photograph of the 1891 Missionary Institute student body. Professor Jonathan Dimm, the Missionary Institute's 5th President, is seated at the left in the front row.
Newton Catherman Grade Report
Newton Catherman Grade Report
Report cards, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Catherman, Newton., Students
A grade report on Newton Catherman, who graduated from the Missionary Institute in 1891. On weekdays, religious exercises were held every morning and every evening. On Saturday evenings, students conducted their own prayer meetings. On Sundays, students were required to attend a public service. Notice that this report shows that Newton Catherman received demerits for being absent from worship services 31 times.
Philo and Clio Society Debates
Philo and Clio Society Debates
Debates, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Student organizations
"Woman has done more for Mankind than Man." Different points of view were held among members of the Philosophian and Clionian Societies. To air these differences of opinion, debates at joint sessions were conducted. The societies held regular debates on various subjects, including this one on the accomplishments of women.
Philosophian Literary Society Constitution
Philosophian Literary Society Constitution
Constitutions, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Student organizations
The first articles of the Philo Society's constitution.
Philosophian Society Badge
Philosophian Society Badge
Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Student organizations
This badge is from one of the two literary societies on campus. The Philosophian Society's membership consisted of students from the Classical Department and town students.
Philosophian Society Exhibition
Philosophian Society Exhibition
Exhibition posters, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University, Student organizations
Along with debates the literary socieites on campus held Exhibitions. This is the program of the first Philo Society Exhibition held in February 1861. The public was welcome to attend these Exhibitions, and some of them could be considerably long with various orations and debates.
Philosophian Society Meeting Room
Philosophian Society Meeting Room
Student organizations, Conference rooms, Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Institute, Susquehanna University
The Philosophian Literary Society was among the groups on campus that had a permanent meeting room. First it was on the top floor of the Institute Building (Selinsgrove Hall). Later it moved to the 3rd floor of Gustavus Adolphus Hall.