History of Freeman College, Hutchinson Co., SD This information appears on pages 379-380 in "History of Dakota Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm HISTORY OF FREEMAN COLLEGE. Freeman College (South Dakota Mennonite College) was established and is still largely maintained by the Mennonites of South Dakota. When these people emigrated to this state in the year 1873, and during the years following, their educational opportunities and facilities were very meager. Soon the more thoughtful among them began to realize the need of education among their people if they were to maintain their life as a church and fulfill their obligations as citizens. For a number of years the school question was agitated and South Dakota Mennonite College was the result. Because of its location in the center of the rich farming district settled by the Mennonites, the town of Freeman was chosen as the most suitable place of location. The institution is not under the direct management and supervision of the Mennonite church, but under a corporation consisting largely of members of the various Mennonite churches of South Dakota. Although not under its direct control, it nevertheless bears a vital relation to the Mennonite church in South Dakota. A contribution of one hundred dollars to the college fund secures the right to membership in the corporation. With the object of establishing an American college of high standard, Freeman College was incorporated December 14, 1900, under the name South Dakota Mennonite College. After the erection of a suitable building the school formally opened in 1903 with two instructors; an additional instructor was added for part of the year and the total attendance was one hundred and nine. The following year there were one hundred and thirty pupils and four instructors. From then on there was a decrease in attendance until it reached its lowest limit in the year 1908-9, when there were but sixty-eight students. This decrease in attendance was due largely to the discontinuance of the work in the lower grammar grades. Even beginners were admitted during the first years. The attendance of more advanced students has with some reverses been constantly increasing. In the fourth year a boys' dormitory was built. The courses of instruction have been undergoing constant revision and new courses were added as the need for them arose. It is at present still largely a secondary school with some work of college grade. Besides the regular Academy there are four-year courses given in normal and commercial work. In 1914 the Academy was put upon the accredited list of secondary schools in the state of South Dakota. The normal department is also recognized by the state and offers courses leading to first and second grade certificates. The commercial department is appealing to the constituency and the music department is also receiving especial attention. The work offered at present is meeting the greatest need of the constituency. As soon as the need arises more advanced work may be given, until the ideals of its founders to make it a full college will be realized. The institution is under the management of an efficient faculty of seven, with Dr. Eddison Mosiman as president. The endowment fund has been increased by ten thousand dollars during the nest summer and the attendance of advanced students is larger than it has ever been. Although the attendance has been but slightly above a hundred, there are good prospects for a decided increase in the near future. Freeman College aims to be thoroughly Christian, but it by no means adheres to a narrow sectarianism. It believes that the ideal upon which all education must be based, if it is to be effective, is the ideal of Jesus While it is making an especial appeal to the young people of the Mennonite faith, it is liberal in its outlook and extends equal privileges to students of other denominations.