University of Alaska Fairbanks - Denali Yearbook (Fairbanks, AK)

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In the academic year 1936-37 the University instituted five-year courses in civil and min- ing engineering. The Engineering Council for Professional Development fully accredit- ed the Department of Civil Engineering in 1940 and the School of Mines in 1941. By adoption of these five-year courses the Uni- versity proved itself a pioneer among institu- tions of higher learning. In recognition of the fact that the work be- ing done by the students is worthwhile, vari- ous organizations and individuals have pro- vided financial assistance or donated awards. In 1926 the Anchorage Women ' s Club created a loan fund. During subsequent years the school has been the fortunate recipient of the Lawrence C. Phipps, Fairbanks High School Alumni Association, Shiels-Timson, Leopold F. Schmidt, and Palmer Associated Student loan funds. Scholarships have been afforded by Mrs. Margaret R. Phipps of Colorado, the Fairbanks branch of the American Associa- tion of University Women, and the Sears Roebuck Company. In addition there are ten distinct awards or prizes for excellence in achievement generally or in some special de- partment or particular year of the student ' s college life. These have been provided by a variety of friends. The donations of equipment usually consist of gifts to the library, museum, or a specific department. The excellent professional li- braries of the pioneer geologist, the late Dr. Alfred H. Brooks, and of the eminent engi- neer, the late Col. Frederick Mears, are now special collections in the library. Other valu- able donations to the library and museum would fill a sizable catalog. Besides his other generous contributions Mr. Archie Shiels gave several hundred phonograph records to the Department of Music. Dr. Jacob P. An- derson has added materially to the herbarium of Alaska plants. The physical plant has not expanded com- mensurately with the increased activities and enrollment. The original main building was twice enlarged shortly after 1923, and suc- (Continued on Page 49) m 5 BE E E rr EEEEE EODEE bi .b? r £ . E.EDGG.jC-P.r 19

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of the enviable achievements of the alumni and former students of those and these years, the symbolism had its counterpart in actual- ity. That the students have learned to act with what is at hand is evidenced whether they operate a mine in Alaska or devise vital equipment on Saipan. As the college grew in enrollment the stu- dents essayed new ventures. The first col- lege play was given March 14, 1925. The Busi- ness Administration Club was organized in October of 1927, and a year and a half later the Civil Engineering Society came into ex- istence. Later organizations were the Major A Club for letter men and other clubs for those interested in dramatics, international relations, rifle shooting, sk iing, science and arts and letters. Shortly after the COLLE- GIAN first appeared in newspaper form in September, 1929, a section was edited by the students. In 1934 they ventured to publish their first yearbook, the DENALI, with com- mendable results. About this same time the Associated Students adopted the Alma Mater and Fight Song as their own. Indicative of the work being accomplished by the college was the recognition given the institution from various sources. Especially in the field of science the school gained pres- tige. In 1924 the Bureau of Mines station was transferred to the campus, and the Unit- ed States Bureau of Biological Survey estab- lished a station there two years later. Childs Qf-J School Train by collecting fossil skeletal remains un- earthed by gold dredges. That work has been interrupted only temporarily by the present war. Late in the same year the Rocke- feller Foundation appropriated funds for the study of the aurora borealis. When the Sec- ond International Polar Year chose sites for its research in the atmosphere, terrestrial magnetism, and kindred fields in 1932, the campus became one of the most important. The research was so successful that it was prolonged through a second year. The Coast Frick, of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, arranged for the college and the Fairbanks Exploration Com- pany to carry on palaeontological research Old Men ' s Dormitory and Geodetic Survey and the Carnegie Insti- tution at Washington installed a seismograph in 1935. During the years 1936-38 the Rocke- feller Foundation financed the collection of materials pertinent to the history of Alaska. Three years later the Carnegie Institution built an ionospheric laboratory and observa- tory which still are being operated. On its own initiative the institution has conducted extensive and significant research in anthropology. The first B u n n e 1 1-Geist Archaeological Expedition to St. Lawrence in 1927 was followed by further excavation and the publication of the findings in a report recognized as outstanding in its field. In 1939 the Department of Anthropology ' s discovery of additional artifacts and skeletal remains at Point Hope was given national publicity. In all of these and other scientific pursuits students and alumni have been employed both as responsible directors and in lesser capaci- ties. Because of its peculiar advantages the University is visited by travelers, eminent scientists in a variety of fields, and other dis- tinguished persons. Students here have the unusual opportunity of meeting them. 18

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