Goshen College celebrates 100 years in Goshen

GOSHEN, Ind. -- Though it is taken for granted today, there wasn't always a "Goshen" in Goshen College. It wasn't until Sept. 29, 1903, nine years after the founding of the Elkhart Institute, that Goshen College opened its doors to students in its current location at 1700 South Main Street.

One hundred years later, on Sept. 16, 2003 at 1 p.m., historian Joe Springer will present "Town Recruits Gown: How GC Came to Goshen" to celebrate the anniversary of Goshen College in Goshen, and to begin the 2003-04 Afternoon Sabbatical lectures series.

Springer's presentation in Sauder Concert Hall will focus on the interaction between the town and the college over the years. The Goshen "Commercial Exchange" and the Goshen businessmen it represented actively worked to attract the college to its current location. They pledged a combined $10,000 to support the college's move and their efforts were successful.

In May 1903, the decision to move the college was announced. "The management of the Institute has purchased ten acres of land for a campus for Goshen College and over 140 city lots adjoining the campus," said the Institute Monthly, the precursor of the Record, the college newspaper. "The location is ideal. The quiet of the country and all the conveniences of the city are combined." The groundbreaking ceremony on June 12 brought 300 local leaders, students, professors and townspeople to the new site. The two original buildings on that site were East Hall (no longer standing) and the Administration Building, which is still standing today. Kulp Hull, a residence hall, was built three years later.

For more information about the history of Goshen College browse the June, 2003 issue of the Bulletin.

Goshen Mayor Allen Kauffman and Goshen College President Shirley H. Showalter will also participate in the 100th anniversary celebration.

The Afternoon Sabbatical program is in its 25th season of offering a rich diversity of programs for the community. A committee composed of community representatives and college personnel look to the wealth of knowledge and talent that Goshen College affords and selects programs that will appeal to a wide variety of interests. Programs have an integral connection to the college -- either through subject matter or through the presenter's affiliation with the college.

--Tim Nafziger

Upcoming Afternoon Sabbatical lectures include:

Oct. 14 -- "The Artists Among Us," featuring local artists, 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall.

Oct. 17-19 -- Stratford Theater Bus Trip, with Janette Yoder, director of special events and Mary Ann Roth, chair of the Afternoon Sabbatical Committee. Cost: $ 450.

Nov. 11 -- "On the National Desk at The New York Times," with Duane Stoltzfus, associate professor of communication, 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall.

Nov. 15 -- Chicago bus trip to The Lion King. Cost: $118 Ð Full.



Dec. 9 -- "Christmas with Stegmann and Friends" with Mathias Stegmann, instructor of music, 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall.

Jan. 10 -- Chicago bus trip to The Lion King. Cost: $118.

Feb. 7 -- Bus trip to Chicago to see Oliver. Cost: $95.



Feb. 10 -- "Hills' Harmony," with Matthew Hill, associate professor of music, and Sandy Hill, voice teacher, 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall.



March 16 -- "Music in My Life -- A Retrospect," with Mary Oyer, professor emerita of music, 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall.

April 13 -- International Lunch -- Cuba, with Kathy Meyer Reimer, professor of education, and Paul Meyer Reimer, associate professor of physics, 12 p.m., Church Fellowship Hall. Cost: $15.

May 11 -- Day trip to Sauder Village, Cost: TBA.

Goshen College is a national liberal arts college known for leadership in international education, service-learning and peace and justice issues in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program and exceptional educational value, GC serves about 1,000 students in both traditional and nontraditional programs. The college earned citations of excellence in U.S. News & World Report and Barron's Best Buys in Higher Education. For more information, visit www.goshen.edu.

Editors: Photos from the college's first years in Goshen are available. For more information, contact Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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