when maccracken came to westminster, his youth raised alarm among some of the supporters of the university, and his modest personality and quiet nature did not immediately assuage his doubters. within a few months, maccracken secured $20,000 in donations for the university, and he was able to increase the variety of academic offerings at the school. when the university's chair of bible and metaphysics resigned, president maccracken was named the sauser chair of philosophy and christian apologetics. a formal presidential inauguration was held for maccracken in june 1900.