University of Connecticut - Nutmeg Yearbook (Storrs, CT)

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Storrs Agricultural College students in 1904 enjoyed ice skating on the Duck Pond as much as we do today. In the background can be seen the old hearse house, the church facing east, the green- houses, and the toolshed. One of Connecticut's earliest baseball teams poses proudly in 1892. STORRS-OCT. 9, 1881 To date twelve students have enrolled in courses which are already under way. Appli- cants must be at least fifteen years of age, must furnish a certificate of good moral character from a clergyman and must be subjected to a written examination. First class instruction is being offered at ten dollars per term or twenty- five dollars per year, the charges to be remitted in worthy cases. Good board, including wash- ing, fuel and lights will be furnished at cost, estimated at 52.50 per week. STORRS-NOV. 28, 1896 A hop was held in the college chapel recently. Some of the neighbors were invited to attend. Besides dancing, the crowd amused themselves with a variety of games. The young ladies of Grove Cottage were not allowed to attend, the reason being unknown, but attrib- uted to the lady principal of the house. It created some bitter feeling all around. .-,, 117. -1 -I 15: E 91

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, J To those idealists who have endeavored to realize their dreams of opportunities for youth in this institution, we of the class of 1952 grate- fully dedicate this yearbook. It is impossible to list the names of the numerous individuals who have contributed to the evolution of the University. It is with that purpose, therefore, that we attempt to bring to students, faculty and alumni a small appreciation of the spirit of the past pages of its c history. The following story activates the life of the times. The early emphasis upon agriculture, the growing controversies in regard to a more classical curriculum-the physical and educational growth has been

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,,. fxlnlzf K Nineteen hundred and fifty-two marks the seventy-first year of the history of Connecticut. Since its origin as a small farm school to its enormous growth as a truly major university, it has influenced thousands of men and women urgently seeking education, opportunity and knowledge. To grasp a clear picture of the significance of the rapid prog- ress in the last seventy years, one has to place himself back in another era, an era of handlebar mustaches, derby hats, hoop skirts and high button shoesg an era not completely remote from individualistic. twentieth century American thinking, but still an era trying to shake off remnants of rigid Victorianism. Growing out of the need for an agricultural school in Connecticut, the col- lege was established through endowments by Charles and Augustus Storrs, prominent members of the community who visualized a school which would train young men to become suc- cessful and progressive farmers. By 1885 the Storrs Agricultural School had been in progress four years and widespread agitation and criticism began to arise con- cerning the practicality of thexpurposes of the institution. At the same time Yale's Sheffield Scientific School also carried on agricultural study through aid from the Federal Land Grant Act of 1862. The state in accepting the terms of the Land Grant Act had either to provide land itself or make arrangements with some other existing institu- tion. The General Assembly had Yale in mind when Connecticut . became the third state in the Union to accept land grant aid. It had no intentions at the time of building a new school, and Yale had received the handsome allocation of 815,000 annually for support of agricultural experimentation. In 1885 Yale was under considerable criticism from the Agricultural School Commission established to investigate the agricultural training program in the state. In its twenty-four years it had graduated only seven students from agricultural courses at a cost of 827,700 each. This brought forth the famous YALE-STORRS controversy arguing whether the Storrs Agricultural School or Yale's Sheffield Scientific School should operate on government grants. In 1887 the controversy was partially settled by granting half of the income from the federal grant to each of the two schools. It was not until April 21, 1893, twelve years after its founding, that the Storrs Agricultural School became the Storrs Agricultural College and the sole beneficiary of land grant aid in the state. Yale appealed to a higher circuit court protesting this action and received 351541304 for damages incurred thus ending Yale's affiliations with the state. The remaining years of this period saw the college plummet into the public eye, and the conception of a state university that would offer its sons and daughters social and intellectual stimulation was not a too far distant Heating the buildings presented a prob- lem in these days for coal and other heavy supplies had to be hauled from the railroad at Eagleville. Here coal is being delivered to the rear of the main building by oxen-the usual method of transporta- tion. mail iT J