The History and Operation of Cedarville College

10 this point on, to concentrate on the development of the courses now offered, rather than organize additional departments which would be inadequately staffed and thus give poor preparation to young people who expect efficient training in the courses which they wish to pursue. III•. AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE COLLEGE a) Goal of the Small College in the State and Nation. In a telegram sent to the executive secretary of the Council for the Advancement of Small Colleges, President Dwight Eisenhower said, "Diversity and independence are distinguishing characteristics of American society, and they are reflected in our traditions of higher education. In this setting, our small colleges play an important role in meeting the ex– panding needs of students across the land. 11 l Dr. Alfred P. Hill, in his book, "The Small College Meets the Challenge", suggests a number of questions which are being asked concerning these institutions. "Are these small colleges in our country efficient operating units? Wouldn 1 t it be better to merge and become larger according to the pattern of big business? Iiave these small colleges any justification for existence? Wouldn't they do better to become junior colleges, and thereby join a growing national develop– ment in higher education? Is there any real value in smallness, or does smallness merely tend to perpetuate mediocre teaching on inferior campuses for students of limited academic ability? Can 1 News item in the New York Times, October 11, 1959.