Armour Institute of Technology - Cycle Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 25 text:

THE INSTITUTE ! . a The Armour Institute of Technology was founded by one of America’s noblest philanthropists, Mr. Philip D. Armour, a man whose name is inseparably connec- ted with Chicago and the Middle West. The institution which bears his name is an enduring monument to the ideals for which Mr. Armour stood. The aim of the Institute has been the broad one of educating the entire man—head, hand, and heart, and of making possible the acquisition by its students of knowledge, skill, and culture, and above all, of developing self-reliance and manliness. Mr. Armour’s philanthropy was not of the enervating kind that makes its recipients dependent. He desired to help only those who wished to help themselves. He did not aim to carry men, but to teach them how to walk. In the history of the Armour Institute of Technology another name will ever be linked with that of Mr. Armour—the name of Dr. F. W. Gunsaulus, whose mighty brain, warm heart and eloquent tongue were needed to plan and super- vise the work. It was his eloquence which awakened in Mr. Armour’s mind the design to establish Armour Institute of Technology. Dr. Gunsaulus one Sun- day preached a sermon at Plymouth Church, of which he was then pastor and of which Mr Armour was a member. In this sermon he lamented the fact that so little was being done to prepare young people for the practical duties of life. At the conclusion of the service Mr. Armour offered to his enthusiastic pastor the means wherewith to erect an institution that would meet these needs. The interest of Mr. Armour in the practical training of young people had al- ready been awakened to some extent by observing the work done under the direc- tion of Mrs. Julia A. Beveridge at the Armour Mission. The Armour Mission had been built by Mr. Philip D. Armour to carry out the wish of his brother, Mr. Joseph Armour, who had left a bequest of $100,000. for that purpose. The building was opened in 1886. Mrs. Beveridge, believing that the usefulness of the Mission might be increased by taking up manual training, organized classes in wood-carving, clay-modeling, tile-making, and drawing for the boys, and classes in domestic arts for girls. The success and popularity of these classes, together with the influence of the suggestions of Dr. Gunsaulus, induced Mr. Armour to erect and endow munificicntly an institution devoted to practical and liberal education. A visit to eastern institutions was made by Mr. Armour and Dr. Gunsaulus, with the result that they decided to organize a school similar to Pratt or Drcxel Institute. Upon their return a Board of Trustees was organized, consisting of the follow- i i

Page 27 text:

THE INSTITUTE ing: Mr. Philip D. Armour Jr., and Mr. J. C. Black. A charter was obtained from the legislature incorporating the new institution. A handsome and spacious building was completed in 1892, the first classes being organized in the fall of the next year. Dr. Gunsaulus, as president, was assisted by a small, but very efficient faculty, of which Prof. L. C. Monin, Prof. John E. Snow, Mrs. Julia A. Beveridge, and Air. Agle are still associated with the Institute. The trustees generously fostered the growth of the new institution. Mention must also be made of the work of Mr. F. U. Smith, who as Secretary of the Board of Trustees and Comptroller of the Institute, has since the inception of the Armour Institute of Technology, taken the keenest interest in everything that would redound to its progress and efficiency. The first dean of the Armour Institute of Technology was Prof. Thomas C. Roney, at whose death Prof. Victor C. Alderson became dean. When Prof. Alderson resigned to accept the presidency of the Colorado School of Mines, Prof. Louis C. Monin was appointed dean of the Cultural Studies and Principal of the Scientific Academy, while Prof. Howard M. Raymond became dean of the Engineering Studies and also took charge of the supervision of the Evening Class and Summer School work. At the time of its foundation the Institute comprised the Scientific Academy, and the Technical College as at present, but also included Departments of Domes- tic Arts, Commerce, Music, and Kindergarten Normal Training. The courses included in the Technical College were;--Mechanical and Elec- trical Engineering, Chemistry, Architecture and Library Science. Between 1896 and 1901, the courses in Domestic Arts, Commerce and Music were dropped, one by one, to meet the ever increasing demand for young men trained in applied science. In 1901 co-education in the Academy was given up, so that the instruc- tion was limited to young men. All the engineering courses have been strengthened from year to year. Departments of Civil, Chemical and Fire Protection Engi- neering, and of Industrial Arts have been added to the other engineering courses. A union was affected with the Art Institute of Chicago for the purpose of develop- ing the course in Architecture which that institution had successfully maintained since 1889. The result was the establishment of the Chicago School of Archi- tecture. Since 1902 Evening Classes have been offered, and the evening work has attracted many who are employed during the day and who wish to take ad- vantage of this opportunity of acquiring a technical training that is thus placed within their reach. At the same time summer courses were offered which are proving more helpful and popular each year. An additional building known as Machinery Hall was erected in 1902, Mrs. P. D. Armour having donated the building, while Mr. J. Ogden Armour bore the expense of providing the equipment, which in its excellence was unsurpassed by any similar institution in this country. Mr. J. Ogden Armour also presented to the Institute the grounds known as Ogden Field, the opening of which has greatly stimulated the interest in athletics among the students and faculty. Two additions have been made to the Institute since the erection of Machinery Hall. In 1908, the Refrigeration Laboratory, with complete equipment, was built. The Internal Combustion Engine Laboratory was completed in 1917. This is the best and most complete laboratory of its kind in the United States, a fact of which all Armourites are justly proud. Located in the great metropolis of the West, the Institute offers to its students opportunities of acquiring a practical training in engineering which would be impossible in almost any other locality. We have all reason to be proud of the remarkable progress made by the Armour Institute of Technology within so short a period of time. The fame of the Institute and her graduates is being heard of every day all over the world. N. B. —The editor is greatly indebted to Dr. G. L. Scherger for the greater part of this history. 23