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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 31, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 43.

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Union College

By H. A. Morrison

A Record of More than Five Hundred Graduates

YOUNG men and women of today cannot hope to enter upon the duties of life and be victorious and eminently successful unless they have made for themselves, or have taken advantage of, opportunities for the receiving of a higher education. This fact is verified and emphasized by the statistics given in “Who’s Who in America.” In 1900 forty-six per cent of the individuals listed in this book were college graduates, while in 1914 seventy-two per cent were college graduates. This shows the rapidity with which college graduates are entering into the leadership of the world.
We have, however, a different work to do in the world; but it is a more important one, and should therefore merit as much or more effort in preparation. The world recognizes strong and efficient service. God’s cause demands consecrated, strong, and efficient service. Union College was founded that young men and women might be prepared for just such service. In the accomplishment of this purpose in many lives she has been successful.
It has been old Union’s privilege to train seven of the ten men at the head of our ten junior colleges, seminaries, and colleges. Three of the ten Union Conference presidents in the United States are former students of Union College. Aside from these this school has furnished a very large number of local conference presidents. Some of the teachers in all our colleges and in most of our academies received their training here.
If we should enter the mission fields of China, Japan, Korea, India, Africa, South America, or the islands of the sea, we should find men and women holding responsible places who received their ideals, their equipment for service, and their inspiration from this institution. Some who are in the New Hebrides, among the uncivilized and cannibalistic people of the world, belong to this group.
The great majority of the 545 graduates of Union College are engaged in the organized work of this denomination, and are using all their energy to bring the knowledge of Jesus and his coming to men and women who are in darkness. Their lives are consecrated to the giving of the third angel’s message to a dying world. In all, more than fifteen hundred have gone out from the doors of this well-known college to assist in proclaiming the gospel of peace and in finishing the work. We meet them in every conference, in every land, at every camp meeting, and find them rapidly entering into the leadership of this great movement.
During the past year the debt of Union College was entirely removed. To look back upon the great work this school has accomplished under hampering conditions of debt, only emphasizes the possibility that is hers in her new freedom. The board, faculty, students, and former students are praying that God will richly bless her endeavors as she moves forward in the training and developing of young people for his service.
The Bible department is the most popular one in the college, and a very large number of young men and women are availing themselves of the special opportunities offered for the training of ministers, Bible workers, and foreign missionaries. Having several returned missionaries on our faculty and in our student body is a means of great benefit and inspiration to our students. Last year we had the largest foreign mission band ever organized in Union, and we are looking forward to still greater interest the coming year. Though we have already sent out nearly two hundred into foreign fields, we know that many more are to be called into this service from this place in the near future. A large number have consecrated their lives to this special phase of the Lord’s work.
Prof. W. W. Prescott, first president of Union College, meeting with Unionites at South American Union Conference, La Plata, Argentina
Prof. W. W. Prescott, first president of Union College, meeting with Unionites at South American Union Conference, La Plata, Argentina
The students who enter Union are an earnest and sturdy class of young people. Many of them earn their own way during either the vacation period or the school year. Last year forty-five earned all or part of their way in connection with the college, while more earned their way by canvassing. The inspiration, enthusiasm, and courage in this line of work enabled many of our students to earn their scholarships for the coming year in less than three weeks.
Aside from instruction in sewing, cooking, engineering, carpentry, etc., the college operates a printing plant, a commercial laundry, and a bakery. These departments provide a large amount of work for students. Last year the three together did $31,812 worth of work. A new dairy barn and milk house, with modern conveniences and sanitary equipment, is being erected. A herd of high-grade, registered Holstein cows is maintained. This department is worthy the effort put forth, both from the financial and from the educational point of view.
The college is well equipped with laboratories and library. More than six thousand volumes have been specially selected with the needs of our students in view. We shall be able to add more than one thousand books this coming year. In addition to this, our students have access to the State Library, Lincoln City Library, and the libraries of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln being a city of many colleges, the last two libraries consist of books specially chosen for students and for research work, and the general testimony is that they are among the best libraries of their kind.
The acquaintances that one makes here, and the friendships that one forms during college life, will be an inspiration and strength throughout the years to come. Its value cannot be measured. Those who go from Union College to enter upon their life work, go forth knowing that hundreds of strong, energetic, pure, true men and women have the same hope and faith, and are praying for their success as they enter the work of the Master, whether in foreign or home fields.
The universal testimony, both from the one who has a college education and from the one who has been deprived of it, is that no sacrifice is too great to make and no task too hard to undertake in order that one may avail himself of the opportunities offered in one of our colleges this coming year.
Union College has had the honor of training hundreds of men and women for a noble and grand service in the Master’s cause. Many are today planning to grasp the opportunities she holds out to those who will enrol with her for 1916-17.
It takes only desire, decision, and determination.
Young men and women need the power, inspiration, backing, and high ideals which Union College has for them.
Her high standing will become their high standing if they desire, decide, determine.
H. A. MORRISON, Pres. Union College.