Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

Page 15 text:

HENRY JACKSON WATERS 1909-1917 WILLIAM M. JARDINE 1918-1925 FRANCIS D. FARRELL 1925-1943 hanging Ideas of Times with one exception, among the quietest in the school ' s history. This exception was the attempt to transfer part or all of Kansas State to KU. This move was defeated through the combined effort of administra- tion and students. Financial aid was then increased. President Henry Jackson Waters brought to Kansas State renewed leadership in agriculture, as he was an expert in the field. Student enrollment during his administration jumped 50 per cent and admission requirements were continually being raised. The greatest contribution of the seventh president, William Jardine, was to bring Kansas State into national recognition. The leadership which Jardine exhibited placed him on Coolidge ' s cabinet in 1925. Enjoying the longest tenure of any president, Francis David Farrell brought many improvements to the campus, in physical and instructional areas. His term was difficult, having to contend with both the depression and the opening of World War II, which brings additional tribute to his effective lead- ership and excellent administration. The ninth president, Milton Eisenhower, was the first Kansas State graduate to hold the position. His administration was tested with the problem of meeting the rapid expansion after the war. His han- dling of this crisis deserves much credit. The present president, James A. McCain, has held the post since 1950. These thirteen years have been ones of monumental progress. This is con- tinuing under his leadership, which is discussed later. MILTON EISENHOWER 1943-1950 JAMES A. MCCAIN 1950-

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GEORGE T. FAIRCHILD 1879-1897 THOMAS E. WILL 1897-1899 M ERNEST R. NICHOLS 1899-1909 JOHN A. ANDERSON 1873-1879 JOSEPH DENISON 1863-1873 Ten Presidents Represen The character of any institution is most clearly manifest in its leaders. The diversity of the leader- ship that has stood at the head of Kansas State during the various administrations reflects accurately the changing moods of the times. The school ' s first president, the Rev. Joseph Denison was a carry-over from Bluemont. Realizing the trying and difficult circumstances of working with scarcely any money and little equipment this pioneer president served Kansas State well. His emphasis of the classical studies, however, led to fric- tion with the Regents and his dismissal in 1873. The Rev. John Anderson filled the post vacated by Denison. Anderson immediately set about the task of switching the emphasis from classical to indus- trial education. Opposition by members of the faculty led to their dismissal for insubordination and gross misconduct. He was elected to Congress in 1878. The trend again changed with the appointment of George Fairchild. Returning to the classical approach, he desired not so much to make men farmers as to make farmers men. He aimed toward the development of the intelligent and useful citizen. Thomas Will followed Fairchild and held the top post but two years. These two years, however, represent the apex of political and administrative turmoil. Brought to power by the Populists, he was dismissed in 1899 when the Republicans regained control of the Board of Regents. The ten years of Ernest Nichols presidency are,

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Hardy pioneers and buffalo traders first set- tled Manhattan in 1855. It is a tribute to the character of these men that only three years later work began on a school to be known as Bluemont College. k Marching in full uniform down Poynt2 Avenue, the K-State band joins a large number of floats and other bands in commemorating the school ' s Centennial Home- coming. Modern structures contrast vividly with the old. 12