Charles S. Murkland
Encyclopedia
Charles Sumner Murkland (May 30, 1856 – November 11, 1926) was the first elected President of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts
following the college's move from Hanover
to Durham
in the United States. While a scholar and executive, his lack of an agricultural background made him a surprising choice for the position. While President, Murkland proposed adding preparatory classes and a two-year degree and during his first year Graduate study was also established .
. He attended Middlebury College
and graduated in 1881, as valedictorian
of his class. He then attended Harvard Divinity School
, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity
. In 1884, Murkland completed his Master of Arts
from Middlebury and also completed one year of post-graduate study at Andover Theological Seminary. After completing school, Murkland served as a pastor in Chicopee
, Massachusetts and Manchester
.
On May 18, 1893, the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts Board of Trustees elected Murkland as president of the college. His term began on July 3, 1893, and was inaugurated August 30, 1893, becoming the first elected and second president of the college. While President, Murkland received a Doctor of Divinity
from Middlebury in 1900, and a PhD from Dartmouth College
in 1903.
s to the curriculum.
Murkland greatly contributed to the growth and expansion of the college. During his administration, the student body, faculty and staff doubled in size. Morrill Hall, an agricultural building, was constructed during Murkland's presidency. After accomplishing most of what he set out to do and also feeling the duties of his position conflicted with his teaching duties, Murkland presented his resignation to the Board of Trustees effective May 1, 1903.
New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts
New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts was founded and incorporated in 1866, as a land grant college in Hanover in connection with Dartmouth College...
following the college's move from Hanover
Hanover, New Hampshire
Hanover is a town along the Connecticut River in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 11,260 at the 2010 census. CNN and Money magazine rated Hanover the sixth best place to live in America in 2011, and the second best in 2007....
to Durham
Durham, New Hampshire
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,664 people, 2,882 households, and 1,582 families residing in the town. The population density was 565.5 people per square mile . There were 2,923 housing units at an average density of 130.5 per square mile...
in the United States. While a scholar and executive, his lack of an agricultural background made him a surprising choice for the position. While President, Murkland proposed adding preparatory classes and a two-year degree and during his first year Graduate study was also established .
Biography
On May 30, 1856, Murkland was born in Lowell, MassachusettsLowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
. He attended Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
and graduated in 1881, as valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
of his class. He then attended Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Divinity School is one of the constituent schools of Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States. The School's mission is to train and educate its students either in the academic study of religion, or for the practice of a religious ministry or other public...
, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
. In 1884, Murkland completed his Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from Middlebury and also completed one year of post-graduate study at Andover Theological Seminary. After completing school, Murkland served as a pastor in Chicopee
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Chicopee is a city located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States of America. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 55,298, making it the second largest city in...
, Massachusetts and Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
.
On May 18, 1893, the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts Board of Trustees elected Murkland as president of the college. His term began on July 3, 1893, and was inaugurated August 30, 1893, becoming the first elected and second president of the college. While President, Murkland received a Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
from Middlebury in 1900, and a PhD from Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
in 1903.
President of New Hampshire College
Murkland served as President of the college from 1893 to 1903. He advocated adding preparatory courses and a two-year degree to the college. It is said that Murkland's strong liberal arts and theological background contributed to his conflict with those who believed that the college should emphasize only agricultural sciences. Murkland argued for a broad interpretation of the Morrill Act, which would require the college try to meet the needs of all groups within the state. The Board of Trustees took issue with Murkland's statement concerning the possible addition of classical languageClassical language
A classical language is a language with a literature that is classical. According to UC Berkeley linguist George L. Hart, it should be ancient, it should be an independent tradition that arose mostly on its own, not as an offshoot of another tradition, and it must have a large and extremely rich...
s to the curriculum.
Murkland greatly contributed to the growth and expansion of the college. During his administration, the student body, faculty and staff doubled in size. Morrill Hall, an agricultural building, was constructed during Murkland's presidency. After accomplishing most of what he set out to do and also feeling the duties of his position conflicted with his teaching duties, Murkland presented his resignation to the Board of Trustees effective May 1, 1903.
- Murkland Hall at the University of New Hampshire is the center of the university's College of Liberal Arts and is named for Charles Murkland.