Florida State University - Renegade / Tally Ho Yearbook (Tallahassee, FL)

Page 6 text:

WE DEDICATE OUR FIRST TALLY-HO The stimulation of progress and growth in a state always comes from its leaders. Their foresight and wisdom in planning the course of events is reflected for countless years by benefits reaped and by con- tinued advancement. The adoption of coeducation for Florida ' s two state universities will produce lasting effects upon the youth of our state and our educational development. So with the theme of coeducation proudly displayed, we are honored to dedicate Florida State University ' s first Tally-Ho yearbook to Governor Millard Fillmore Caldwell under whose progressive administration co- education became a reality. Figuring prominently in the national scene as well as being an outstanding leader in Florida, Governor Caldwell served four terms in Congress before volun- tarily retiring in 1941. A member of the foreign affairs and appropriations committees, he attended inter- parliamentary conferences at the Hague and Oslo, Norway, as representative of the United States Con- gress. After his election to governor in 1944, he served as Chairman of the National Governor ' s Conference, President of the Council of State Governments, and acted as chairman of many committees for the Southern Governor ' s Conference. Florida is fortunate to have such a vigorous and far-sighted executive.

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OF THE ING OF No sooner had the Seminoles been chased back to the Everglades, namely the year 1822 when Florida was organized as a territory, than its progressive leaders sought to provide facilities for higher educa- tion. With amazing political rapidity legislation was finally passed in 1853 authorizing the location of the seminary east of the Suwannee in Ocala and the sem- inary west of the Suwannee in Tallahassee. Although the return of the Seminoles to Tallahassee in 1947 might have been an unexpected innovation, coeducation itself is definitely not a new trend. The West Florida Seminary which incorporated some of the land and buildings formerly called Leon County Female Academy, was until 1859 open only to men. That year, however, the women staged an invasion and fought for their right to wield a cook book and darning needle. But their victory was shortlived for the men soon had to fight for the right of the mag- nolia and mint julep in the Civil War and WFS was converted into a military school. The soldiers marched on and so did time. In 1882 coeducation again came to the fore, or to be more geographically exact, to Tallahassee. Enrollment reached an all-time high of seventy-four. In 1889 there were four faculty members. The president taught: philosophy, mathematics, chemistry, physics, astronomy and political science. Student govJ- ernment was unknown and the catalogue stated Pres- ident and faculty will exercise a wholesome supervi- sion over the students. In 1897 the Naturalist ' s Society, Murphreean Lit- erary Society and the Debating Society were active organizations on campus and the following year the Athletic Association came up to bat. There were still no dormitories and students boarded in private homes. Chapel was held every morning which all students were required to attend. Church attendance was also compulsory. A student could enter the classical, literary or scientific course, but the faculty made the rest of his decisions for him. Once he got in a particular class it was very difficult to get out. He had to have the consent of the faculty to change from one of these to another and of his parents if he were a minor. Such was life at WFS during the Gay Nineties. A new name arrived with the new century: Florida State College. But in 1905 this name rode out with the Buckman Bill which authorized the consolidation of the schools located in Bartow, Lake City, Gaines- ville, DeFuniak and Tallahassee into two state insti- tutions, one for men and one for women. Tallahassee ' s offspring was christened Florida Female College. And thus began the long imprisonment of fair womanhood behind the red brick walls. All students were required to sign an honor code. The teachers and matrons ate in the dining hall with the students. After dinner they enjoyed a social hour together before beginning the evening ' s work. In 1909 the name Florida State College for Women was adopted. The seal of the three torches was first lit by members of Miss Abernathy ' s Art Class who burned with inspiration and school spirit. Students were required to Submit to such regula- tions as will insure faithful study and exemplary con- duct. The faculty and president were the admin- istrators of these regulations. Mail was subject to inspection by the president or matron. During 1912-13 a system of Student Government was inaugurated. Officers of this organization were supervised by a committee of faculty members. Ath- letics were also conducted by a faculty committee. There were five tennis courts and two basketball courts. Clubs were organized for walking and swim-