Miami University - Recensio Yearbook (Oxford, OH)

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i John Cleves Symmes in 1794 certain lands in the State of Ohio that were to be used for the founding of an education institution. However, the Ohio Assembly of 1809 created Miami University in a township other than this, and Oxford was finally selected as the seat of this new experiment. After some meagre attempts at academy and grammar work the University finale 1y became a reality and under the leadership of Robert Hamilton Bishop opened its doors of higher learning to the world. As in the case of all progressive movements, ad- vancement was slow, but under the steadying hand of President Bishop, the University forged onward. Enrollment was augmented by addi- tional students from surrounding states and gradually the University became conscious of the need of other interests than these lectures alone. Thus from the small band of President Bishops original student body, taught in the one building of the University, arose the idea of literary socie- ties, whose chief object was the display and exera cise of the theory of written and oral composition, and the discussion of ponderous problems of re- ligion and ethics, mathematics, science, history and politics. These organizations sponsored lectures, delive ered by the most enlightened individuals of the time that could be procured. From these early philosophical societies, as we shall soon observe, arose the first college fraternity west of the Al- .m leghenies, and. was the nucleus for the establish: ment of the well known Miami Triad. During the latter part of President Bishopis administration dissention among the students grew and finally terminated in his resignation and retirement to a Chair of Professorship. i :EORGE WASHINGTON granted to STANDARDS

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THE PIONEERS WITH MOTIVATED SPIRIT CREATED MIAMI,

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