Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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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

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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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Rev. w. A. Finley. A M.. President 1S65 1871 vision of the Oregon were he seen by taken from an law. alive the act lature, October 27. That the people of to the situation may following paragraph passed by the Legis-1868: ‘ Whereas, it appears that unless an Agricultural College is provided by law at this session of the Legislature, the grant by Congress will Ik- lost; therefore. this act shall take effect from the date of its passage.” Willamette University and Corvallis College had both been prominently mentioned in connection with the land grant patronage for an agricultural college ; and it was generally believed by Father Waller and other friends of the university that the Agricultural College ocated at Salem. Rut C. B. who represented Renton the Legislature at that time, inserted “Corvallis” instead of “Salem in the bill, and the Agricultural College was located at Corvallis. Thus at the last moment the bill became an act. and the act was law. Just how it happened has been a marvel to many a political dreamer since that Legislature. Joaquin Miller, who was writing poetry on the Long Tom in those days, tried to express it in the couplet: would be Bellinger, County in ‘The tctcr-board of life goes up: The teter-board of life goes down. An array of thirty-one trustees and fifteen officers of the l oard dominated the institution in 1869-1870, while there were only two professors and twenty-eight students in the college department. The college students were classified as follows: Four seniors, ten juniors and fourteen freshmen. Existing conditions did not justify the luxury »f a sophomore class that year. The Preparatory Department, which consisted of lot students, was taught by J. D. McFarland and W. E. Privctt. Mrs. S. E. Finley was in charge of the primary pupils, forty in number, and Jacob Brenner was the director of music. Bachelor of Science. Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts were the regular degrees conferred by the college. Co-education was fully recognized. Young ladies were admitted to all the college classes, and were entitled to the same honors and diplomas as young men. Tuition varied from ten to fifteen dollars per term, and special concessions were made to clergymen. That the management of the school sustained the relation of pater fa mi lias to the students may he inferred from the fact that the parent of each minor in the male department was expected to name some member of the faculty as guardian of his son while attending college, with whom funds might be deposited, and to whom the students should be accountable for their proper use. The funds for the young ladies were deposited with “the keeper of the boarding house. It was stated in the catalogue that most of our difficulties arise from the improper use of money injudiciously entrusted to pupils. Then followed the injunction. “All persons arc forbidden to trust a minor without the consent of his or her guardian.” The pupil was not allowed to lx ard at a place not approved by the faculty, nor to change from one boarding house to another without permission. Young ladies were required to board at the Young Ladies' Boarding Mouse unless they had near relatives who could receive them and were willing to assume the entire responsibility of their government. Young men might rent rooms and board themselves, but there was no such provision for the young ladies. The public duties of each school day were opened with appropriate religious exercises. Attendance upon these exercises and also services at some place of worship on the Sabbath, was required of all pupils. All pupils over 14