National University - Docket Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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F in the sum of human knowledge the subject of History is an item of value, its worth lies not in a bare recital of the events of the Past, but rather as such a portrayal of the rising tide of achieve- ment that Ambition may be advised to what heights it may aspire. This being true, the present effort has not been confined alone to the circumstances of the origin and the growth of our Alma Mater, but based on those things already accomplished here has been ventured a glimpse into the Future. For the origin of National University the pages of Time must be turned back to the grim days of the Reconstruction, and perhaps in view of the estab- lishment of the principles for which the Great Conflict was waged, in view of the new problems then before the Nation, it was not an ill-omened moment for the establishment of a University whose principal effort was to be in the field of the Law. National University was first organized in 1869 under a charter issued by the District of Columbia. On this authority the school continued to operate until the year 1896 w hen by Special Act of the Congress of the United States the present charter was granted, by virtue of which the incorporators and their successors were empowered to establish and maintain an institution of learning of so great scope that the now existing departments stand in the relation of a mere nucleus of that which is possible of creation should full advantage ever be taken of the powers granted and available. From its beginning the official family of the University has been distin- guished by the prominence and the ability of its personnel. Five Presidents of the United States have served it as Chancellors ex-officio. Eminent jurists representing both Bench and Bar, in numbers too great here to be enumerated, have served in varying capacities, directing the general course of endeavor, as lecturers, as professors and instructors. Small wonder indeed, under such cir- cumstances that there have been attracted to the Portals of National University such an ever-increasing student body, that today the class rolls of our Alma Mater are scarce exceeded by any other institution engaged in similar under- taking. In the year 1923, in recognition of the growing needs of the University, adjoining property was acquired and converted to school purposes. Already, however, the facilities so added are taxed to the utmost. Nor is that circum- stance one at which to marvel. With a graduate body of over five thousand, a present student body of well nigh a thousand, the name and fame of National needs must spread in such ever-widening circles that Her Future must give us pause. What is there in that Future? What do the Facts of the Past and the Currents of the Present portend? Is it too much to venture that impelled by the ever-increasing number of those who knock at Her doors, that under the broad powers and privileges of Her Charter, that our Alma Mater may not in time become National University in the wide and discursive meaning of the words in Her name? We who were the Class of Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-seven find in that thought a Hope and a Vision inseparable from those grateful memories with which as Graduates we say our last Farewell. Page 12