Alameda
County
Biographies
MILLS COLLEGE
Since the days when Mary Lyon toiled
with heroic self-sacrifice in behalf of the higher education of women, the
example of her courage and ardor has been an impetus to those laboring to
secure woman’s intellectual advancement. To many who had the opportunity of
association with this gifted educator the influence of her noble spirit proved
the open sesame to a life of usefulness in the vocation she had honored.
Indirectly the founding of Mills College, the only woman’s college west of the
Rocky mountains, may be attributed to her influence, for one of the founders,
Mrs. Susan L. Mills, had not only studied under her at Mount Holyoke, but had
taught in the same institution after the completion of her course of study
therein. When she became the wife of Cyrus T. Mills, D. D., a former pupil of
Mark Hopkins, Williams’ College, and a graduate of Union Seminary, in New York,
she was admirably qualified by intellectual training and Christian culture to
become the helpmate and counselor of a consecrated minister of the Gospel. The
deep religious spirit characteristic of both led them to undergo the hardships
of missionary work in Ceylon and later they spent years of untiring labor in
conducting Oahu College for young people in the Hawaiian Islands, of which
institution President Dole and others connected with the government were pupils
in early life.
With the founding of Mills Seminary
in 1865 Dr. and Mrs. Mills inaugurated the most important work of their eventful
lives They purchased the Benicia Seminary, the oldest Protestant school for
young women on the Pacific slope. The alumnae of this latter institution are
associated with those of Mills College and Seminary. The institution was chartered
by the state in 1877, during which year, in accordance with the original plan
of the founders, the entire property was deeded to a board of fifteen trustees,
to be held and controlled by them and their successors, for the specific
purpose of the higher Christian education of young women. From that time it
ceased to be a private school and became a public institution, but receives no
state aid. In 1885 the college charter was granted. The motto, “Pro Christo et pro Mundo,” shows that
the aim of those connected with the institution is to train young women for the
highest service for Christ and the world, and their success in the attainment
of this ambition is evidenced in the lives of the alumnae. Those who once
gathered within its walls have gone forth to bless the world and honor their Alma Mater. Many have successfully
taught in public and private schools. Some are missionaries in home and foreign
fields. As happy wives and mothers, as sincere Christians and ornaments to the
most refined society, they have become known and honored. Among the six hundred
graduates are many who have won distinction in literature, art, music and
philanthropic work. In whatever line of activity they have engaged, all cherish
happy memories of their college days and hold their Alma Mater in deepest affection.
The location of Mills college (sic) is ideal. Situated five miles east of Oakland,
accessible by means of electric cars from that city, its grounds comprise one
hundred and fifty acres in the Oakland Hills, which secures for the eight
college buildings an environment as unique as it is picturesque and attractive.
Among the buildings are the concert and lecture hall containing a fine pipe
organ, a stone science building with laboratories and museum, a library with
seven thousand volumes, an observatory with a five-inch refracting telescope,
dormitories and recitation halls, and El Campanil,
the latest addition to the campus, erected through the generosity of Mr. and
Mrs. F. M. Smith of Oakland, to contain the chime of ten bells, the gift of
David Hewes. The college has no indebtedness and owns
property valued at $300,000, besides $50,000 income producing endowment, in
addition to non-productive (at present) property appraised at $200,000. A
faculty of twenty-eight thoroughly trained instructors superintends the studies
of the two hundred or more students, directing the work with system and
patience.
The west, with its constantly
increasing wealth and population, should support at least one woman’s college
equal to similar institutions in the east, and friends of Mills College hope to
see it endowed with an amount sufficient to give it a position second to none.
Were an endowment of $1,000,000 secured, the young women of the Pacific coast
would soon cease to go long distances from their homes in order to secure such
opportunities as are offered by Vassar, with its endowment (1902) of
$2,611,500; and other institutions of the east that have been generously
endowed by the wealthy men and women of that region. The trustees of Mills
College, with the cordial co-operation of the alumnae, have definitely
committed themselves to an active campaign to secure the one million desired
for an endowment. Strengthened by its noble past, and inspired by the thought
of what may here be accomplished in the future for the young women of the
coast, they are working with enthusiasm to attain this splendid result. It is
their hope that, though Dr. Mills has passed from earth, Mrs. Mills may be
spared to witness the securing of this endowment, which will place the institution
in a position to compare most favorably with the oldest and best colleges for
young women in the east.
In sending their daughters to Mills
College, parents are giving them the advantage of a delightful climate, with an
average temperature of sixty-six degrees. Perfect days are the rule, not the
exception. This permits outdoor exercise at all seasons of the year, and on the
campus many healthful games and exercises are provided, under such rules that
moderation is never exceeded. The health of the students is further guarded by
the strictest sanitary precautions. Relative to this point, the United States
Health Bulletin, under the heading, “Schools and Health,” gives the following
tribute unsought: “Among the schools that met with the general approval of the
experts investigating for us, and which we have no hesitation in recommending
to our readers, is the Mills College, Seminary Park, Cal. We know nothing about
the course of study at this school, for it is of no interest to us; but if the
same care is taken with the mental welfare of the pupil as is plainly shown to
be taken with the physical, we feel that it deserves the support of parents and
the encouragement of the public.” The school is distinguished for fine
athletics, the students holding the Pacific coast championship in basket ball.
(sic)
Lastly, in addition to a benign
climate and health precautions, and the splendid intellectual equipment
available, there is the advantage of Christian training, undenominational and
nonsectarian, yet positively and definitely Christian. In that Name which is
above every name the foundations of the college were laid; and in the spirit of
Him who blessed the world beyond all others who have walked its surface, the
great work of educating young women is here conducted. It is the prayer of its
president, Mrs. Mills, and of its trustees that the influence of educated
womanhood flowing from these halls of learning shall aid mightily in the
advancement of Christ’s kingdom and make glad the city of our God.
Transcribed by: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 950-951. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.
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