Chapter XI – COLGATE IN THE 1890’s
The death of Dr. Dodge in 1890 marked the end of an era. He and his friend, James B. Colgate, had retarded but not prevented change. With Dodge, or the “magister,”
as he was sometimes called, no longer on the scene and the aging Patron gradually relinquishing responsibilities to his son, James C. Colgate, the University moved forward with unprecedented speed. The change of name from Madison to Colgate University seemed to foreshadow innovation. Starting with the Board of Trustees, the administrative structure was reorganized, the endowment greatly augmented, the physical plant expanded and improved, several young scholars added to the faculty, new academic departments set up, the curriculum liberalized, student life, especially fraternities and athletics, given new vigor, and the alumni encouraged to participate in the University’s life. Even though there was no president for most of the period, to the distress of students and others of the academic community, morale was high and a quiet, well-founded pride was abroad on the campus. Colgate was getting in step with her sister institutions.
The Trustees quickly discovered after Dr. Dodge’s death that he had been the center of administration and with his removal they had no effective communication with the faculty and students. On faculty recommendation, they reconstituted their Provisional Committee with James C. Colgate as chairman and directed it to take over the President’s duties until that office should’ be filled. In 1891 they replaced this body with an Executive Committee with James C. Colgate as the most important member. Dean Newton Lloyd Andrews carried out the routine campus duties of the President’s office until June 1891 when four of his’ colleagues were associated with him to share the burden. “His rich experience,” Dr. Crawshaw remembered,
