University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

Page 23 text:

Historical Sketch HE 6th of November, 1898, will be the Hftieth anniversary of the opening of the University of Mississippi, and it is but fitting that some word or memorial commemorative of that event should appear in this volume of OLE Miss. The readers are, therefore, invited to the consideration of a brief sketch of the history of the institution, in the earnest hope that anything tending toward a better knowledge and appreciation of the benefits the Uni- versity has conferred upon the State may be accompanied by an increasing loyalty and enthusiasm on the part of its alumni. VVhen Mississippi was admitted to statehood, Congress set aside one township of the public lands for the establishment of an institution of higher education within its borders. Out of the proceeds of the sale of this land the State University was founded. The management of the funds received from the sale of the orig- i11al grant from Congress was vested in the Legislature of the State. The Act of the Legislature of March 5, 1880, provides for the ascertainment of the indebtedness of the State on account of the Seminary Fund, and that the sum of 532,643 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated for the year 1880, and annually thereafter, for the purpose of paying the interest due on said sum of 5544,o61.23. The Legislature has, in addition to this fixed income, from time to time made special appropriations to the Uni- versityg and within recent years the Board of Trustees has, through the earnest efforts of Chancellor R. B. Fulton, been successful in securing from Congress the grant of another township of land. In view of which facts, and the friendly attitude of the Legislature, the way seems clear for the continued and ever-increasing prosperity of the institution. The University has been peculiarly fortunate in having had its affairs managed by faculties composed of many eminent professors, and in having been presided over by distinguished Presidents and Chancellors. It is impossible, in this short article, to give mention of all who did noble service for the State as professors in the University, the best that can be done is to acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe, and to express the pride we feel in having had 17

Page 22 text:

' .N . Q4 bm. 1-'f f.Q' ' L sn Q Q I ' ' I Oni 1 fix, 2 ,'-- . 4 'X 451.- '. w' ' I 'L-A ITS- .U rf-51' - . ' fi- '. 'r va .-'ff fb G T mfr., Ag-l'i X' T I ,:..' 'D - , iv -f,-. :WHY 4 vb- ' - n f . ' n 1 . . A 1 n 1 ', . ' . -I I I . 1 .' 1 . . Q . 4, 'lj I . 1 eq. 1 F F Q Q rx' HY .1- K ,- .1 v I r ' - F

Page 24 text:

connected with the institution such meh as were justice Lamar. Professors Bledsoe, XVhe:1t, Quinche, Sears, Garland, Hillgard. Hogue. and others also deserving of mention. Fortunately. those who have been at the head of the insti- tution are not so many that they may not be named. In the order of their terms of ofhce they are as follows: Dr. George Frederick Holmes. Judge A. B. Longstreet, Dr. Frederick A. P. Barnard, Dr. john Newton VVadde1, Gen. Alexander P. Stewart, Hon. Edward Mayes, and Dr. Robert Burwell Fulton. all of whom are well and favorably known beyond the limits of any one State. The influence of these men and their colleagues has resulted in the substantial progress of the University from its very beginning. and has been potent in moulding the destiny of our State through those of its sons who were educated under their instruction. It is a noteworthy fact that a very large proportion of tl1e men of the State who have power and influence in their several communities have been educated, in part at least. at the State Universityg While many of its alumni have achieved prominence in other States. The enduring history of institutions, as well as of nations, is largely in the life and character of the individuals they have given to the world 3 and measured by such a principle, in view of the magnificent work of its noble-hearted instruct- ors and presiding officers in furnishing to Mississippi and the nation such distinguished alumni as have graduated from its halls. the University of Mississippi has set in motion immortal iniiuences and wrought for eternity in the souls of me11. ' In the lives of the men who have been intimately connected with the institution for the last half-century, whether as instructors or students, there is the highest inspiration for every young man who may in the future seek here prepa- ration for his life-work: and we that are to follow can pay no greater tribute to the worth of our predecessors than by emulating their lives and striving to attain the same exalted patriotism that shall result in the development of broad- minded and cosmopolitan characters. ,V , if 1 as , - ffflgc 5. x8