Morgan, James Henry

President Morgan Discusses Marriage and Motherhood among Female Graduates of Dickinson College

Date
April 13, 1922

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

Date
April 7, 1922

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

Date
March 9, 1922

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.

?, A "Questionable" Show

Date
1910

The 1910 Microcosm comments upon the show that the women of the college were to put on. All of the advertisements, tickets, etc., were punctuated with question marks, leaving the theme of the show open to much speculation by its audience. The program declared that the entertainment was to be presented by the Y.W.C.A., which some men thought it meant "Young Women Can't Act" but were made to think differently. The first act was a comedic piece titled "Mrs. Oakley's Telephone" about the many conversations between various characters that takes place on this one telephone.

Death of Mrs. Morgan

Date
May 1927

     Mary R. Curran (Mrs. J. H. Morgan), Dickinson graduate of 1888, and wife of President J. H. Morgan died on the morning of April 22, 1927.

Frances Marries the New Chemistry Professor

Date
April 21, 1994

Frances Vuilleumier (Class of 1924) describes in an interview how she met her husband, Ernest Albert Vuilleumier, in her chemistry class. The current dean placed her in the class, and according to Frances, "being new, I required a good deal of assistance, you know, so somehow or other..." Professor Vuilleumier, who chaperoned dances, sent a note to Frances inviting her to a fraternity dance. Frances explains that it was acceptable for female students to date professor as "it had happened before." Previously, President James Henry Morgan married a student.

"We Must Now Refuse Admission to Both Men and Women," 1923

Date
June 4, 1923

On June 4, 1923, the Board of Trustees discussed the number of applicants they received. As opposed to further limiting the number of women at Dickinson College, the Trustees decided to stick by their quota and instead limit the number of both men and women admitted to the school.

Physical Training for Female Dickinsonians at the Y.W.C.A.

Date
June 4, 1923

On June 4, 1923, President James Henry Morgan reported that, "physical training for the young women has been inadequate, though we have made good use of what was available." Thus, President Morgan argued that Dickinson College should look into creating a relationship with the recently established Y.W.C.A. in Carlisle. Such a relationship would give female Dickinsonians access to the Y.W.C.A.'s athletic facilities and Director.

Boyd Lee Spahr Moves to Limit the Number of Women at Dickinson College, 1919

Date
June 21, 1919

On June 21, 1919, Trustee Boyd Lee Spahr moved that, "beginning with the academic year 1919-1920, the number of women students admitted to each incoming Freshman Class shall not exceed 25% of the total number of Freshman of the preceding year." Trustess L.W. Johnson and E.M. Biddle Jr. moved to amend the motion by waiting until the 1920-1921 school year. James H Morgan and Frank. B. Lynch moved to table the whole matter. After a vote, the resolution was tabled.