Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

Page 16 text:

The broadening influence lias materialized in other ways. The inauguration of the May Day Festival last spring marks a new feature. The Rose Festival and the coming Seattle excursion aie not to he overlooked, for they, too. are stepping stones. The progress in dramatics deserves commendation. Fach of the three plays produced by student talent evinced ability in rendering. Musical development has felt the profiting impetus of the onward rush. A glee club is now well on its feet ; the Mandolin Club never lx-fore has proved so strong. Greater than these is the magnificent chorus of one hundred and fifty voices. Now as we gaze into the future fr m the crest of our past, wc are sure that the influence of this remarkable year can never lose its vitality, for we have all seen the leaps of progress taken by the institution, the faculty and the students in the realization of the uplift of our Alma Mater. Alxive all is to be noted that the past year lias marked the coming of a new epoch in the history of education in Oregon—the epoch of industrial education. S. A. Wilson. 12

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 To the attentive observer, the advancement and truly tremendous strides taken by the Agricultural Colleges of this country have been matters of great astonishment. There was a time, not long ago. when such schools were looked down upon as secondary and inferior, but now man is beginning to realize the importance of scientific farming, and of the combined theoretical and practical training in all branches of research well known as industrial edueation. No longer may universities sneer at and deride the state colleges. They must realize that Latin and Greek will not till land and rcsplendently reward the sweat of honest labor with the beauty and luxuriousness of its fruit. Not by any means least among the many is our Alma Mater, for no other school of this nature has ever evinced such progressive spirit. The most eventful year in the history of the Oregon Agricultural College is now reluctantly drawing to a close. With regret we watch the end approaching. Many new phases of college life have been entered upon; the school has broadened materially its already broadening scope, and its resources are taxed to the utmost to make adequate provision for the unparalleled attendance. This year has marked our transition. Every college must experience this period, in which it passes from the plane of minor schools to tlut of the major. With the new administration the standard has been raised. This has appealed to many, and will continue to appeal each succeeding year to multiplied hundreds of young men and young women, necessitating additions ro faculty, buildings and equipment in general. It is with great expectancy that we await the results of legislation in relation to an increased appropriation, for on this, to a great extent, depend our success in the future. Into the athletic world of the Pacific Northwest we have brought a new phase—intense and united college spirit. Such loyalty few have ever seen. The Saturday before last Thanksgiving showed the never-dying spirit of those seven hundred cadets, when, in the face of almost certain defeat, their shouts and cheers rang constantly higher and louder in support of their warriors upon the field. The record in oratory and debate lias l ccn a brilliant one. Willamette. McMinnville, Monmouth and Washington Stale, each lost to the farmers of Oregon. And the eloquence of our orator in the interstate contest won for us more laurels. Two new student publications. “The Northwest Journal of Engineering and The Oregon Countryman.” have been founded here, and are doing excellent work. The Oregon Forester” has also appeared on the scene, with headquarters in the Agricultural Hall. To the “Barometer.” the most precious of all student enterprises, great credit is due for its active interest in the welfare of the school, and the impartial yet decisive attitude it has maintained in respect to all matters. 11

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Cfje £ . a. C. Historic anb Jxemmiscrni By Prokrssor John B. Horxkr W hen Corvallis was hut a village, tin frame building later called Corvallis College was projected as a private undertaking. For several years the edifice—noble for that early time—served as a public school building and meeting house. All grades from the Primary to the Academic Department were accommodated. It was the public school of the place, yet it was dependent in a large measure upon subscription for support. Therefore, while the school served a public purpose, it was in its inception and maintenance a private institution. Furthermore, it was dominated by promoters who were ambitious that it might aspire to become a parochial institution of high grade. To this end the property was sold as early as 1865 to Rev. O. Fischer, agent of the conference, as a college for the Southern Methodist Church. Forthwith Rev. V. A. Finley. A. M., was chosen president, with Professor Armstrong as assistant. The two composed the faculty. This was the beginning. The popularity of the new college was at once established, and a widely distributed patronage was drawn from Oregon. California. Washington and Idaho. In the fall term of 1867, Rev. Joseph Emery, A. M.t was elected professor of mathematics to succeed Professor Armstrong. Because of the want of preparatory schools throughout the West, but few students could i e admitted to the college department; hence the demand for a preparatory school to serve as an academy in connection with the institution. Accordingly in I SOS W. W. Moreland was elected principal of the preparatory department. This was six years after Abraham Lincoln had approved the act of Congress providing for agricultural and mechanical schools in the various states, and the time had well-nigh expired in which the states might accept the pro- corvai.i.is coi.i.ege Where Scientific Agriculture was first taught in Oregon 13