President's Office. Rev. Edmund Total, SSE, 1913-1919 | Saint Michael's College Archives & Special Collections

In September 1913, Superior General Jules Garnier named Fr. Total Superior of the Saint Michael’s College house.  With this position, Fr Total effectively took over the daily administration of the College.  However, the Board of Trustees never elected Total President of the College.  Fr. Ernest Salmon , as American Provincial, retained his position as President of Saint Michael’s Insitute and was also elected President of the Board of Trustees of Saint Michael’s College, officially making him ex officio President of the college.  It is clear Fr. Total did take on most of the rights and responsibilities of the college president, however, and he is treated as one by the tradition of the College.  During his term the College continued to run a high school and to slowly grow.