Morgan, James Henry
Appold fears the New Notions of Feminism will Force Dickinson College to Allow Women onto the Alumni Council
In this letter dated October 18, 1926, Trustee L. T. Appold wrote to President Morgan to further discuss the admitance of female graduates to the Alumni Council. Appold explained that "I am always opposed to this feminism which puts a woman on because she is a woman." He argues that if there were an outstanding woman she would be on the board. Until there is one, Appold conteded that the matter should be left alone.
Boyd Lee Spahr, Appold, and Zug Attempt to Abolish Coeducation in 1923
In a letter dated August 9, 1923, President Morgan wrote to Reverend John R. Edwards, warning him that three prominent Dickinsonians are attempting to abolish coeducation at Dickinson College. Morgan explained, "A few of the trustees have not been friendly to co-education for a good many years, and raised the question at commencement... Since commencement, however, it has developed that two or three, Boyd Lee Spahr, Esq., of Philadelphia, being their spokesman, Mr. Appold of Baltimore and Mr.
President Morgan's Letter and Questionnaire Addenda Sent to the American Association of University Women
In response to Gertrud Martin's letter dated October 27, 1921, President Morgan sent Martin a brief letter explaining what was enclosed as well as a questionnaire addenda. The addenda contains information regarding female faculty members at Dickinson College in the 1920s. According to Morgan, at this point there were three female faculty members: Louise d. Vilaine (Associate Professor of Romance Languages), Josephine Brunyate Meredith (Dean of Women and Associate Professor of English), and Hazel J. Bullock (Associate Professor of Romance Languages).
President Morgan Contacts the American Association of University Women In Regard to Membership
In a letter dated October 27, 1921, Gertrude Martin, the Executive Secretary of the American Association of University Women, wrote to President Morgan regarding Dickinson College's membership application to the AAUW. Martin apologizes for the delay and asks President Morgan to fill out and return a survey she enclosed. The application will then go before committee. ..
The Women's Student Government Thank President Morgan
In a letter dated March 1, 1922, Mary Dubson writes on behalf of the Women's Student Government to thank President Morgan for improvements to Metzger Hall and Denny Hall. Dubson wrote that President Morgan's "kindness and interest" was much appreciated.
"Notice of Social Event" Form for Metzger Hall
This is a "Notice of Social Event Form" for Metzger Hall. One had to fill in the type of social event, time, day, number of people, character of the event, names of chaperons, and the committee in charge.
"Statement of Girls Wishing Registration, Metzger College, 1921-1922"
This document lists the names and addresses of thirty women who lived in Metzger Hall in 1921-1922.
"List of Juniors, Seniors, and Freshman Rooming at Metzger during the years 1920-1921"
This document lists the names and addresses of women who lived in Metzger Hall during the 1920-1921 school year. The list includes Names and home addresses. The women come from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey.
"New Women Students Registered July 18, 1921"
This document lists the last names and hometowns of 30 women who lived in Metzger Hall. The women come from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
"Last Years List at Metzger Hall"
This document lists the last names of 88 women who lived in Metzger Hall. The date of the document is unknown.
"Girls Registered for Metzger Hall" 1924
This document lists the names and addresses of thirty women who lived in Metzger Hall in 1924. The list includes names and home addresses. The women came from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey.
Madame Vilaine's Background
This document describes S. Louise de Vilain's educational training. According to the document, de Vilaine studied in France and Germany. In 1882, she received her A. M. at Karlsruhe, State of Baden, Germany.
President Morgan Writes to S. Louise de Vilaine regarding her Salary and Rank
In his letter dated September 29, 1920, President Morgan responded to a complaint mad by S. Louise de Vilaine, instructor of French and House Mother at Metzger Hall. According to the letter, de Vilaine believed President Morgan's decision to not promote her to a a full professor was unfair. President Morgan took offense to this and told de Vilaine to remain calm and explained his stance.
Madame de Vilaine is not Happy with Her Salary
After accepting the position as both house mother and instructor at Dickinson College, S. Louise de Vilaine wrote to President Morgan and expressed her disappointment. She wrote, "I accept your offer although it is not as generous as I had expected. My work is worth more and still count on your raising it to $1400 before the year is over."
S. Louise de Vilaine Accepts the Position of House Mother at Metzger Hall
In a letter dated June 28, 1919, S. Louise de Vilaine, a French instructor at Dickinson College, accepts the house mother position at Metzger Hall. She wrote President Morgan requesting more information regarding the position, house rules, her teaching agenda, and whether or not she will recieve room and board.
A Female Graduate Describes Her Experiences in Graduate School, 1922
In her letter to President Morgan dated November 12, 1922, Helen Witmer describes her experiences as a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Witmer was struck by the sheer size of the University and asserted that there were 30,000 people at the homecoming football game alone. Though she was impressed, Witmer explained that she would "still prefer to see an F&M v. Dickinson game."
Morgan Denounces the Association of Collegiate Alumnae
In a previous letter (dated January 13, 1921) to President Morgan, Helen Witmer asked for information pertaining to Dickinson College's relationship with the Association of Collegiate Alumnae (ACA). Witmer was told that Dickinson College was not a member of the ACA due to the lack of women within its faculty. On January 15, 1921, President Morgan responded to Witmer's letter and explained that he had applied for membership and found that "its first interest the securing of faculty positions for women in colleges.
Dickinson College and the Association for Collegiate Alumnae
On January 13, 1921, Dickinson alumna Helen L. Witmer wrote to President Henry Morgan requesting information pertaining to Dickinson's relationship with the Association for Collegiate Alumnae (ACA). According to Witmer, a women's college club was recently formed in Lancaster, PA. However, only women who attended institutions affiliated with the ACA were permitted to join the association. Witmer was told the Dickinson College was not allowed to to join the ACA because the school does not hire female faculty members.
Mrs. J. W. Wetzel Boards Female Students in 1927
On August 4, 1927, President Morgan responded to Frances Janney's letter requesting the name of the local woman who lives accross the street from Metzger Hall and boards female students. He explained that the woman's name was Mrs. J. W. Wetzel and she lived on North Hanover Street. He explained that with the college's recommendation, Mrs. Wetzel should accept Janney.
Women Living Off Campus in 1927
In August of 1927, a student named Frances A. Janney wrote to President Morgan requesting the name of a woman she could baord with in town. According to Janney, the woman lived accross from Metzger Hall and often takes in female boarders. The woman was recommended by Dean Meredith, the Dean of Women at the time.
In 1927, Many Dickinsonians are STILL Against Coeducation
In a letter dated August 4, 1927, Dean Hoffman wrote to President Morgan requesting that Morgan consider the application of Mary K. Gross. Hoffman wrote, "Once again I find myself in the ridiculous position of writing you in behalf of the admission of a co-ed to Dickinson when as a matter of fact I am stolidly against coeducation at Dickinson." This illustrates the ways in which many Dickinsonians had doubts regarding coeducation well into the 20th century.
Seperate Campuses for Men and Women
In a letter dated February 28, 1927, President Morgan wrote to the President Henry M. Wriston of Lawrence University in regard to a recent article Wriston published in the Educational News. In his article, Wriston advocated having separate campuses for men and women at coeducational institutions. Morgan explained that he was interested in this idea and wanted further information.
President Morgan Discusses Marriage and Motherhood among Female Graduates of Dickinson College
In a previous letter dated April 7, 1922, Eleanore Robinson, a reporter from Chicago, wrote President Morgan in reference to the marriage and divorce rates of female Dickinson Graduates. Robinson argued that college-educated women make better wives and mothers than women who do not attend college. On April 13, 1922, President Morgan responded to Robinson's letter. He agreed that educated women make better wives and mothers.
Marriage Rates and Motherhood Among Female Graduates of Dickinson College
In a letter dated April 7, 1922, Eleanor Robinson (Illinois Women's Press Association) wrote to President James H. Morgan in reference to the marriage and divorce rates of female graduates of Dickinson College. Robinson explained that she knew many college women who were married and did not know a single college woman who was a divorcee. She argued, "Judging then from my own acquaintance, it seems to me that college women make more successful wives and mothers than less educated women."She then went on to explain her argument.
Inter-Society Debate: Sexism
The Inter-Society Debate took place on March 9, 1922 between the Harman Society (a female society created in 1896) and the McIntyre Society (also for women, founded in 1921- It appears to have only been active in 1921) at Bosler Hall. It discussed the enactment of a constitutional amendment for the protection of women against political, legal or civil discrimination due to their sex. Margaret Eslinger (this document came from her personal scrapbook of her Dickinson years) assisted Kathryn Smith '24 on the negative side of the argument.