plains from atop Pike's Peak that she wrote a poem entitled "America The Beautiful." Her words were set to an existing musical piece. The patriotic song that was created became a national favorite. Slocum was a prodigious fundraiser on behalf of Colorado College. In 1896 he successfully raised $150,000, a considerable sum for that time. In the ensuing celebration, the men students pulled Slocum around the campus and downtown Colorado Springs in a buggy. An amused onlooker noted: "The center of interest was President Slocum, trying not to look too unhappy, seated in a high run-a-bout, drawn by students who were in cap and gown, and clasping to him a large money bag (made...of one of Mrs. Slocum's soft pillows) with $150,000 on it in large figures." One of the contributors said he gave money to Colorado College because "he liked that young man who was doing things out there in Colorado." Slocum gained a national reputation as the successful leader of a western small liberal arts college. He turned down the presidencies of Oberlin College and the University of Illinois in order to complete his work at Colorado College. He received honorary degrees from Amherst College (his alma mater), Harvard University, and five other institutions of higher learning. He continued his charitable activities in the larger community by helping to organize the Colorado State Board of Charities and serving on the Colorado State Board of Pardons. In 1913, upon Slocum's 25th year as Colorado College president, there was a five-day celebration in his honor. A painting of him in his academic robes was commissioned and hung in the grand staircase of Palmer Hall. Controversy and resignation In 1916, a number of women in the college community charged that Slocum had sexually assaulted them. An investigation confirmed the accusations of multiple women that he had sexually harassed and sexually assaulted them. "Hundreds of women" including students, staff, faculty and faculty wives accused him orally, and 22 gave written affidavits. 9 women allowed a local historian, James Hutchison Kerr, to copy their statements for his records. The college Board of Trustees asked Slocum to resign, and he did so as of graduation in June 1917. "In reviewing these more personal criticisms of the president, the trustees...felt that their general discussion in the community...could not be ignored." Soon afterward, the Board of Trustees asked for the resignation of Edward Parsons, the dean