North Dakota State College of Science - Agawasie Yearbook (Wahpeton, ND)

Page 8 text:

(ZJ(ioTioucjfi Jzainuiq I--------------------------------------------------------------------- I R North Dakota State School of Science techni-nicallv began in the year 1903. when Karl G. Burch, as president, leased some rooms from the Red River Valley University. 'The school had four instructors and sixty-six students. The constitution of the State of North Dakota in Article XIX provided for this scientific school at Wahpeton with a land grant of 40.000 acres. The Red River Valley University was established in 1889 and was of a parochial nature. In 1905 it was moved to (irand Forks where it still exists under the name. Wesley College. The State School of Science began operating as a Junior College and a Business School and did only experimental work in teaching trades. F. K. Smith succeeded Mr. Burch as president in 1909. 'The following year brought the construction of Burch Hall anil the Chemistry Building. As the school and educational plans grew and developed, so did the stress on trades courses. Then the federal government passed the Smith-Hughes Act in 1917 which encouraged public trade schools and offered financial assistance. In 1922 the late Dean Babcock of the University of North Dakota adopted a plan whereby the functions of the school would be a Junior College, a school of applied science and technical training in trade and industries. In Wahpeton on July 22, 1922. it was approved by the State Board of Administration. G. F. Brickers served as president from 1919 until 1922 when President K. F. Riley assumed the office. The Trades Building was erected during 1927 and dedicated m February 23. 1928. An addition was made in 1938. In 1931 the gates to the main entrance were constructed. Latest campus addition has been the Campus Huh which had its opening in March. |9|S.