Miami University - Recensio Yearbook (Oxford, OH)

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N. Olds, R. H. Bishop, J. C. Moffatt, O. N. Stoddard, Charles 'Elliott, S. H. McMullin and Henry S. Osborn, as men whose scholarship and influence are still recognized by those who came under their instruction, and by thousands of living scholars. The men still living who have served the University have proven themselves worthy of the illustrious company in which they? 1abored.. During thev-e'a'rly years ,ofythe University there was graduated an unusual number of men who attained great prominence in public life. This was due in large measure to the character of the young menwho entered, the political character of that period, and the opportunities offered in a new country for educated men. The University was organized in- 1824 and ' graduated her first class in 1826. The first fifty years of her history cover the mOSt eventful period of our country,s history. The country needed well equipped men. To such she oHered tempting opportunities. It will ever remain the glory of Miami that in those years she brought to her country a larger proportion of scholarly, Christian patriotic men able to serve either church or state than did any other similar institution. Christianity, patriotism, manhood and sound scholarship have always determined the spirit of the Uni- versity, There has never been an ambition for greatness other than the greatness of her men as expressed in service. This for nearly hfty years was 11Old Miami? In 1873 through misfortune support has continued frorn year to year. and indebtedness brought on by lack of support in financial matters the University was closed until 188 5. At this time all indebtedness had been paid and a consider able sum of money collected from the land rents. It was deter-W mined to open the University again. The State of Ohio made a liberal appropriation for the refitting of the buildings. That: The Brice Scientific Hall was open for 1186-1111891. Since the reopening the F aculty has been increased to eleven members. The l1brary has been well arranged and 1s increased each year by about Seven h1111dred volumes. The 1 11New Mian1i11 appreciates the splendid h1Story made prior to 1873 and proposes to preserve the best of that. heritage while earnestly seizing the best methods in modern education. ' Accurate scholarship is the ideal of the class room. The University, as always, will put due emphasis upon sohblarsh1p, patriotism and Christianity as essential to that complete rrianhood which 15 the best product any college can oifer to civilizatiOn Int 7 this spirit the University has been working and growing since the reopening in 1885. The younger Alumni are as loyal to their alma mater as the older are proud of the past history. Every prospect indicates a prosperous future. The management con- fidently relies upon the Alumni and friends for assistance in carrying forward the work.

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SKETCH'OF MIAMI UNIVERSITY HE HISTORIC document known as nThe ordinance of 1787,, under which the North- westl Territory was organized, names as its purpose the tlextending the fundamental principles of civil: and religious liberty, A c 1 and Hto hx and establish those principles as the basis of all laws, constitutions and governments, which forever hereafter shall be formed 1n the said territory. l, In article III we read that ureligion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools, and the means of education shall forever be , encouraged? These principles firmly believed and practiced by intelligent men were far reaching in their injiuence upon both government and educa- tion in the territory. The ordinance invited to settle within its boundaries named those who believed in a free government and an educated people. By originial charter the territory has been organized in aid of religion, morality and education, as the con- ditions of human happiness. Under the control of said sentiment we can easily understand the purpose of the conditions providing for the Stipport of education. Out of this ordinance came the authority for the condition in the John Cleves Symmes grant by which a portion of the land was to be used for the support; of an institution of learning: That purchase was the beginning of Miami University. In another direction the beginning wasnnot less important. The great religious awakening sometimes called ltthe revival of 1800 that swept over the country f0r a number of years was fruitful in the renewed interest taken in the-schools and colleges. Miami University along with a number of other colleges owes its existence in large part to the spirit inithatlmove- ment. What more fitting territory could be foundv in , which Christian sentiment could found a college than in the Northwest Territory under the stimulating and progressive doctrine of the ordinance of 1787. The University through all these years has endeavored to be true to the spirit in which. she was originated. Her F aculty has always been marked by men who in their day have been the representatives of the best thought in Christian scholarship. Among her presidents the names of Bishop, Junkin, McMaster, Anderson and Hall are familiar to all who know any- thing . of early Presbyterianism in the West. Among the profesSors we mention W. H. McGulTey, J. W. Scott, Chauncey

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SENIOR CLASS ggge agagg P. F. HOFFMAN, - - - Prgsz'dcnl CLASS COLORS, H. H. HERMAN, - Recbrdz'7zg.566r6tary . PEA GREEN AND WHITE A. G. WORK, - - - Treaszzrm' YELL B1ood! Corruption! Gore! C. E. GREER, - - - Historian Miami, Ninety-four! aggag M gage