Mississippi State University - Reveille Yearbook (Starkville, MS)

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A People ' s University by Lonn Parsons »T ALL BEGAN with the land and the people who lived on it . . . These were men who saw the American dream as a great economic empire where agriculture and mechanical arts would receive a respectability previously unknown in the annals of public education and na- tional progress. Thus was born a new type of educational institution — The Agriculture and Mechanical College. This quote from D. W. Colvard, the twelfth president of MSU, accurately portrays the beginning of our university. As Mississippi State travels through its 109th year, it is important to remember the traditions and history that have made it what it is today. Originally Mississippi A M, MSU was given the responsibility to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits of life. From its humble beginning to its present state, MSU has sought to fulfill these responsibilities and make real these dreams of its founders. After the Civil War, General Stephen D. Lee operated a plantation and was not suc- cessful. That experience was very beneficial in his role as the first president of Mississippi ' s Agriculture and Mechanical College. Who better than a victim of the problems faced by Mississippi farmers could understand the need for modern knowledge and training on Mississippi farms. Starting with an enrollment of 354, Lee didn ' t try to move things too quickly, allowing the in- stitution to grow slowly: Bigger today than yesterday and tomorrow bigger still. The early 1900 ' s brought many additions, including the organization of schools in engineering, agriculture, industrial educa- tion, Science, and business. This growth, the creation of the Agricultural Extension Ser- vice, and the re-establishment of co- education, made it clear that A M had grown into a multi-faceted institution of highet learning. Accordingly, in 1932, the Legislature authorized a name change to Mississippi State College. The following years yielded expansion and enrichment of existing ptograms bringing distinction to the college especially in the areas of institutional and professional ac- creditation. State also continued to grow, ad- ding the School of Forestry and expanding the School of Science into a School of Arts and Sciences. This growth came in response to the many changing needs of the state of Mississippi, from increased farm research to keeping abreast of the commercial trends in our state. In 1958, the Legislature saw fit to recognize State ' s growth and expansion by changing the name from college to universi- ty. The boom years that followed would prove the institution worthy of this honor. The 1960 ' s began a series of presidential importations continuing to the present. First came D. W. Colvard from North Carolina State. He presided over the university through peaceful desegregation and a period of phenomenal growth. One of his most outstanding achievements was the creation of the MSU Development Foundation to provide opportunities for the university to achieve a margin of excellence. Following Colvard was an Arkansas import, W. L. Giles. He saw MSU become the state ' s largest university with an enrollment ex- ceeding the 10,000 mark in 1971. The university also added a Department of Land- scape Architecture, and a model College ot Veterinary Medicine. Giles ' successor Dr. James D. McComas states: Mississippi State had transformed from a people ' s col-

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lege into a true people ' s university. Dr. Mc- Comas, a West Virginia native, continued the trend, supporting efforts to construct the Creative Arts Complex. Well, that ' s a basic, short overview of the history of MSU, but history is only part of our university. The history is important, but there ' s more. Bulldog Spirit, Maroon Spirit, or simple pride; these titles all mean the same thing — that special something about MSU. It hasn ' t always been easy. Politics, depressions, wars, funding crises, fire, and many other obstacles have tested the courage and endurance of our institution. With conqueting of each obstacle, the bonds grow a little stronger and the spirit becomes a little deeper. Whether as loud as a cowbell or as quiet as the night while walking back to the dorm after a long study session at Mitchell, the spirit is always there. Much of that spirit stems from tradi- tions: the return of alumni year after year, the migration of students to home on weekends, and the quietness of the campus after a long day of classes. Some traditions are as old as the institution itself, while others have been picked up along the way, but all are part of what makes up MSU. As soon as students arrive on campus, they begin to participate in the traditions of the university while establishing new traditions for those that follow. Students and faculty come and go, foot- ball games are won and lost, and even the campus changes in various ways. Even through all the changes and experiences, the rich history, the traditions, and that special something all of us feel as part of MSU will always remain. The experiences of the past, enthusiasm of the present, and dreams of the future all merge to make Mississippi State University the people ' s university.