University of Texas - Cactus Yearbook

“The Tradition and Promise of a The Legislature shall as soon as practica- ble, establish, organize and provide for the maintenance, support and direction of a university of the first class, to be located by a vote of the people of this State, and styled, " The University of Texas, " for the promotion of literature, and the arts and sciences, including an agricultural and mechanical department. Constitution of Texas. 1876 Article VII, Section 10 Thus was the University of Texas born. The idea of such an institution was by no means new: in the neighboring United States, state education at the university level was well-established. The newness of the concept in this instance stemmed from the promise of greatness which Texas offered. Throughout the first 98 years of the University, that promise gradually became a tradition of greatness. Today. 100 years after the enabling legislation. 98 years after classes began, the achievements are indeed great, the causes to celebrate manifold. 1980-1981 was witness to the reaffirmation of the tradition and promise of the University. Degree requirements were evaluated to maintain the high quality of education offered. The first appointments to the Centennial Endowed Chairs were made. Consistently, UT ' s program^ were reported to be among the best in the nation . . . The promise of continued greatness. The Longhorn Band marched, for the third time, down Pennsylvania Avenue. Round-Up participation expanded some- what from the previous norm of Greek only. The organization of Round-Up was returned to an auxiliary committee of the Texas-Exes, who began it. A Madrigal Dinner, long a tradition in other universi- ties, was held for the first time in 1980 . . . The reaffirmation of traditions. The University of Texas has different meanings for each person. Each person and each meaning of University life are involved in the reaffirmation: all are a part of the tradition and the promise. ”