Iowa State University - Bomb Yearbook (Ames, IA)

Page 29 text:

ADMINISTRATION

Page 31 text:

Raymond A. PeArso.v President IOWA STATE COLLEGE THF ' State Agricultural College was first established March 22, 1858, when a bill pro -idiiig for this and carrying with it an appropriation of $10,000 was signed by Ciovernor Lowe. A Roard of Trustees, composed of eleven membei-s, was appointed to super ise the actions of the college. One of the underlying ide.is was that the school be so organized as to dignify manual labor and to give it the respecta- bility and credit which is commonly accorded to the labor of the professional classes. The beginnings of the school show- that the people of Iowa were convinced that scientific agri- cultural education was no longer to be denied the citizens of the commonwealth. When the Iowa Agricultural College formally opened in 1869 only two courses of instruction were offered : one in agriculture and the other in engineering. However, women were allowed to enter either of these courses. The Agricultural Experiment Station was first e.stablished in 1888. In 1871 the Engineering De- partment was subdivided into Mechanical and Civil Engineering. In 1891 Electrical Engineering was added, in 1894 Mining Engineering, in 1906 Ceramic Engineering, and in 1914 Architectural Engineering. The Engineering Experiment Station was opened in 1904. llie Graduate College was first brought into being in 1876 through an act of the Legislature. When the college first opened, Mrs. Mary B. Welch, wife of the president, organized and taught the classes which mark the beginning of the Home Economics Division of toda -. It was not (mtil 1875 that the Department of Cookery and Household Art was definitely established as an important part of the school. By 1870 the Industrial Science Course had been added to the curriculum. The Veterinary Division has been a definite part of the school ever since the establishment of tlie State Agricultural College and Farm. The Non-Collegiate Department was added to the curriculum so that it would give a chance to get an education to the people who had not had the opportunities of all the required high school work. Later this department was abolished, but in 1910 two-year courses in the diff ' erent divisions were again added. They have proven of great benefit to many people, especially since the World Var, for the majority af students enrolled in these courses are Federal Board students. At the present time, the college is divided intodivisions : Agriculture, Engineering, Home Eco- nomics, Industrial Science, Veterinary Medicine, and the Ciraduate College. This has proven a very successful way of dividing the school as it groups together the students who are takuig the same courses. 25