University of Colorado - Coloradan Yearbook (Boulder, CO)

Page 8 text:

DEDICATION We dedicate this book to a phrase — a phrase that is nebulous and intangible i meaning to many, yet one to which the stu- dents and teachers of the University of Colo- rado can give much meaning. The words are, OUR UNIVERSITY HERITAGE . Mirrored in that phrase is the heritage of a nation, of a state, of great men, and finally the heritage of a school life. As a nation and as a territory or a state, the people of America and their leaders have always realized the necessity of democratic education. As early as 1861 a few men of the territory laid plans for a university; and as Colorado assumed its place in the union in 1876, it did so with a state university. It was a school yet on the American Frontier — the product of an idealism coupled with a pioneer spirit capable of overcoming great obstacles. To the early university-man, school life meant endeavour in a naked building on a lonely, treeless plain. The vision of a few men has changed this desolate scene into one of widely acclaimed beauty. ' The lonely building has seen a large physical plant, housing one of the great state universities, spring up around it; a university in which the heritage of idealism and intellectual at- tainment is still the cornerstone for future endeavour. The diam ond — symbol of our anniversary — is reknown for its beauty, durability, and value. These qualities require cutting and polishing to bring forth the maximum effect; for the natural, uncut stone has no great value. So it is with the university — the cut- ting and polishing of seventy-five years has produced a finished gem, valuable and lovely to many. And so it is with us — the students of today. The diamond, now cut and polished, is in turn cutting and polishing the student to transform the rough intrinsic value of each freshman into the finished and polished graduate — men and women thus more valu- able and durable.