Oklahoma State University - Redskin Yearbook (Stillwater, OK)

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Pre itlent' Office As president of one of the state's lead- ing educational institutions during the recent hectic years of economic distress, Henry Garland Bennett has had a tre- mendous responsibility. It has been a responsibility which he has borne ably, steering the college successfully through the most acute years of the depression until at length the dawn of recovery finds the institution with standards main- tained, personnel strengthened and spirit unbroken. It is no exaggeration to say that the A. and Nl. college has achieved progress during the years which spelled retro- gression for many other institutions, and it is only recognizing facts to give credit for that progress to President Bennett. Eight years ago Bennett became presi- dent of A. and NI. lylorale was at a low ebb. Townspeople were indignant and faculty members were frightened because of politics in the administration of the college. It is doubtful if airy president ever assumed his duties under more difficult circumstances. But within a short time Bennett had the towns- people of Stillwater and the entire per- sonnel of the college, students and faculty, behind him, just as he had en- joyed the undivided support of the townspeople and personnel of the South- eastern State Teachers College while president of that institution. The administration of President Ben- nett, successful as it has been in many ways, is noteworthy for the stability which it has brought the college. The Decennium club, organized at his be- quest, is a striking and concrete example of the security which has come to be synonymous with the school. His admin- istration already has been the longest, save one, of any of the college's presi- dents, and the tenure of the faculty has been stabilized along with the presi- dency. An insistence that A. and lil. raise her standards to and conform to the stand- ards of leading educational associations and institutions has been a paramount point in the president's program. Dur- ing his term it has been the policy of the school to recognize academic achieve- ment in employing new members of the Page 9 Ilr. Henry ll. Bennett Has Learl School Tlirougli Trying Years to Higher' Place lly LAWRENCE ll. THllNll'SIlN I l 1 i Dia. HIENRN' kl.XRI,.'XND BENNETT, . ln' ffrrzlws .f. mm' ill. f77'OQl'l'.liX in yezrrs of 1'r'i1'oy1'r',v.s'ifi11. faculty and to encourage old members ing for students when he meets thenr on of the teaching staff to raise their stand- the campus, always democratic and con- irrg. It is doubtful if as many nraster's and doctor's degrees have been earned by A. and lll. faculty members during the entire period preceding Dr. Ben- nett's administration as have been earned since he assumed his position. It is not as the advocate of high edrr- cational standards, advanced academic standings, good will ambassador or as stabilizer that A. and Klfs president is best known to the striderrt body. It is as a friend of the student that he has gained the deep respect and loyalty of all rrndergraduates. None is too small or insignificant to gain access to his pri- vate ofhce. None has problems too per- plexing or troublesome to gain the bene- fit of his counsel. Always present at athletic contests, always a cheery greet- genial, he has won a position in the heart of the student body which would be difficult to usurp. Student problems during recent years have been irksome. A less patient or a less understanding official would have lost patience at many of the situations which have arisen. Brit despite the rn- sistence of many of his advisors, Presi- dent Bennett has refused to take stu- dent government away from the stu- dents. He has listened to the grievances of opposing groups and taken valuable time from his work to solve the prob- lem and bring their differences to an end. And always he has achieved his purpose. As a diplomat he has been able to soothe troubled waters which seemed impossible to placate.

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ll E lil I C ii T I 0 i TRYING YEARS require exceptional vision and foresight, and during the past few years Okla- homa Agricultural and Mechanical College has been blessed With people of vision and foresight in admin- istrative, teaching and research Fields, and her students have had the faith in these people. T o those who have seen through the gloom a bright, distant day, the stall of the 1935 Redskin dedicate this volume to the school's people of the yearl, l i

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lfinal authority in the allairs of the Ulclzilioina -Xgricultural and llechanical College is xested in the State Board of glgriculture. The body is composed of live members, one elected by the people of the state to serve as president, and tour appointed by the governor. llon. llarry B. Cordell, president of . - N . 1 the Board is from Uklahonia Litv. rl he . . s, four members appointed by the lrover- nor are: Orville Xl. Savage, Ponca City: C, ll. Klullendore, Kliami: l,. lf. llvaldrop, Klzinitou: and Z. H. l,awter, fDlilJ1l1UII1Zlhll1'l,. Vice-president of the governing body is selected from the ranks of the Board, while the secretary is chosen by the mein- hers Zllltl is not an elected or appointed member ol the Board. At the regular monthly meetings of the Board, held in Oklahoma City, the members decide upo11 the course of action for the college. The Board de- cides upon the recommendations of the president, the administrational stall and the executive committee. And the Board recommends to the college administra- tion that certain things be carried out. It is also the duty of the Board to reco1n111e11d to the State Legislature the amount of appropriations necessary for carrying on the work of the institution for a period ot two years. President of the Board is elected for a term of four years by the voters of the State. The election comes at the time of the gubernatorial election. The appointed members also serve for a term of four years. fillalahoina is one of the few exceptions of the states that exclude the Governor of the State as an ex-ollicio member of the Board ol' Agriculture. However, since the Board, with the exception of the president is appointed by the Gover- nor, his policies are usually carried out, thus providing a unity of action. lfor three of the nieinbers of the Board, this inarks the first of their ser- vices as regents of the college. They were appointed by fiovernor lf. XV. llarland upon his taking oflice. These members arc: Urville Xl. Savage, C. H. dlullendore, and l.. lf. Vvaldrop. As a mark of respect the members of 'tate Boartl of . - Lrieulture Serving as Iloaril ul' Ilegenls, Agriculture Ilnaril Ilireels A1'f'airs ol' A. and M. Uollege Ily HEIRISEIET FEATHER the Board of Agriculture are honored at ciimmencement llllll at various other times throughout the year when they are guests of the College. The success or failure of any school year lies primarily in the :iction of the Board ot Agriculture. Their foresight in expending the large appropriations made to the college hy the state and federal governments determines the suc- cess ot any school year. The Bo:1rd is primarily interested that the tour fields of service of the college lt- . - f 1 - - are carried out. lhe four fields are: Research, directed toward the solving ol practical problemsg lfxtension service, directed toward the dissemination of the results of all research throughout the state among those who need the infor- mationg Public service, directed toward furnishing expert, specialized, and tech- nical advice, information, and service to all citizens and firms in the state, in the fields of knowledge in which the members of the College faculty are qualified 5 and resident teaching, which is directed toward the technological and vocational education of the 11ext genera- tion, due consideration being given to the inclusion in the curriculum of those studies best making for a well-balanced cultured personality. Another policy of the Board of Agri- . . jmfiufm' in .vfafe elecfiozz fisls, HARRY B. Co1uJ1z1.1.. W. .1 'Q ' .fl If 51: ,if ,. ' culture is to curb student activities only when it is the mature judgment of the responsible otlicers of the college that restriction or punishment is necessary. ln fact, the Board incourages the stu- dent body, through its constitution, its senate and its other otlicers, to manage all the campus affairs which come within the constituted rights of the students. This leaves, within reasonable limits the conduct of student allairs to those most closely concerned+the student. Through the President of the College, Dr. Henry ll. Bennett, the Board keeps accurate check on the 19 members of the administration, the 6-1 professors, 63 associate professors, 71 assistant pro- fessors, and 26 instructors of the college. Besides this they see that all experimen- tal stations controlled by A. and NI. which are located in the state are ade- quately financed. lllembers of the Board of Agriculture also have control over the activities of the -18 members of the extension divi- sion staff, 82 county agents in the State, 58 home demonstration agents in the State, S colored agents and 6 colored home demonstration agents. The first board of regents was ap- pointed by the Governor, a11d the Col- lege was formally opened on December 1-1, 1891, in the Congregational Church of Stillwater, with an attendance of -15 students. Since that time the enrollment has continuously increased. The school year 1933-3-1 showed that the grand total enrollment was 8-172, of which 5330 were men and 31-12 were women. Three years after the -15 students gathered in,the Congregational Church to begin studying for a college degree, the first college building was completed and dedicated. The dedication was held on June 1-1, 189-1. The college has gradually developed, and today it boasts of 35 buildings. The campus consists of 120 acres, and the college farms total 1120 acres. Only in the past year, the girls' dor- mitory, lllurray Hall, was completed which has room accommodations for-150 girls. This is the largest similar building in the Southwest, and one of the four largest buildings in the State. Page 10