Aurora University - Pharos Yearbook (Aurora, IL)

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the Mendota College at Mendota, lllihois, in 1893. The school was small, but the foundations were laid for the development of the larger educational program which took place in Aurora. The Fulfillment Begun On Marchn27, 1912, the last classes in Mendota met and a special chapel service was held to bid farewell to the old surroundings. For several days the work of packing, loading, transporting and unpacking was carried on vigorously. On the third of April the moving was completed and a dedication service of the campus was held in Lowry Chapel. Speeches of welcome were made by the mayor and other prominent businessmen of the city. One of the next important dates was that of the first Aurora commencement, June 13, 1912. In the fall of 1914, the first college student from Aurora was enrolled. At the end of the first full year in Aurora, the college reported 13 students. Among these were included Clarence R. Smith, now head of the physics department, and Stanley H. Perry, for 20 years dean of the college and now a professor of humanities. In 1925, Wilkinson Hall was completed and in 1927, the music practice hall was erected. 10

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llSuch Skull as Dreams Are Made on Aurora College passed on important milestone in its his- tory on April 3, 1952, when it celebrated the fortieth anniver- sary of its coming to Aurora. The period between April 3, 1912, and April 3, 1952, was one of great progress for the school. In 1912 there was only one student taking fUIl-tirne liberal arts college work. There are over 250 on the campus daily and another 150 enrolled in port-time evening school work. There were 16 faculty members in T912, only ten of whom were in the college department. The college then operated an academy and a large commercial department both of which were clis- continued many years ago. Thirty-six teachers were listed for the winter quarter, 1952. Progress has not only been made numerically, but also academically. Between 60 and 70 different courses were listed in the collegiate department 40 years ago. Today the college catalog lists over 400 courses which are offered during the normal four year curriculum. This progress did not iust happen . It took the concerted efforts of many consecrated Christians to make our school what it is today. A group of men who believed that young people- could receive an education in a Christian environment founded

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In 1932, an important academic milestone was reached when the University of Illinois recognized the college as a four year institution. The citizens' advisory board was formed in 1933, and the first city campaign was conducted by these leading citizens in 1934. This board which now consists of 21 outstanding Aurora citizens counsels the president. Two important dates in the academic history of the college were in 1938 and 1940. The former date marked the accredita- tion by the North Central Association of Colleges and Second- ary Schools. The latter date commemorates the recognition by the Regents of the State of New York. Complete freedom from the financial indebtedness which had handicapped and harassed the college for many years was achieved in 1944. In 1947, the lounge, gymnasium, South Hall and the tem- porary housing, all of which have meant so much to the service of the college, were completed. a- u- a- During its four decades in Aurora, the college has been served by two devoted Christian men as presidents, Dr. Orrin Roe Jenks, from 1911 to 1933, and Dr. Theodore Pierson Stephens, from 1933 on.