Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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preparatory branches in other studies. Nearly all the students entered the preparatory classes. The records of 1875-76 show 1 student in the senior class of the college, 1 in the junior class, G in the sophomore class and 8 in the freshman class, 4 of Whom were not up with the class in all the prescribed studies. On the other hand there were 13 in the senior preparatory class, 22 in the second preparatory class, and 14 in the third preparatory class, President Shortridge resigned November 5, 1875, and after a brief interregnum, E. E. lVhite, LL.D., was elected presi- duties May 1, 1876. In the board of trustees, the to three departments : I. my. Il. The College of Special Schools of Sci- The Academy had paring students for ad- General Science, and of struction in the sciences a more extended course. through the Academy, if in the branches of study General Science aimed to education, first, as a gen- industrial pursuits and and secondly, as an ade- Special Schools of Sci- The Special Schools ogy embraced : I. A and Horticulture. II. A ing. III. A School of A School of Physics and of Chemistry and Metal- -, I-'RICHARD OWEN W- lQ7Z5'74 dent, entering upon his June, 1876, by action of university was divided in- The University Acade- General Science. III. ence and Technology. the twofold object of pre- mission to the College of providing elementary in- forthosc who can not take It took two years to pass the student had no credits taught. The College of give a thorough scientific eral preparation for all the duties of citizenship, quate preparation for the ence and Technology. ot' Science and Technol- School of Agriculture School of Civil Engineer- Industrial Design. IV. Mechanics. V. A School lurgy. VI. A School of Natural History. Students who had completed the iirst three years of the course in the College of General Science were permitted to enter any one of the Special Schools, but those who were candidates for the degree of bachelor of science, had to devote one-half of the senior year to other branches of study, selected from the general course. VVe see in the courses as laid clown at this period of Purdue's history a gradual enlargement of the work. It was especially desired by the president, at this time, to strengthen the Work along the lines of applied science. In President

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The university was formally opened September 17, 1874, with the following faculty: A. C. Shortridge, president, John S. Hougham, professor of physics and industrial inechanicsg W. B. Morgan, professor of mathematics and engineering, John Hussey, professor of botany and horti- cultureg H. XV. lViley, professor of chemistry and Eli F. Brown, professor of English literature and drawing. By an act of the legislature, which went into force August 24, 1875, the governor of the state was authorized to appoint six trustees, two of whom to be nominated by the state board of agriculture, one by the state board of horticulture, and three selected by the governor himself. The trustees are to represent different congressional districts, except that two may come from the district in which the university is located, and their term of service was fixed at three years. The board of county commissioners in each county was authorized to appoint, in such manner as it may choose, 4' two students or scholars to Purdue University, who shall be entitled to enter, remain and receive instruction in the same, upon the same conditions, qualifications, and regulations prescribed for other applicants, room rent and tuition freed, VVe have thus briefly concluded the legal history of Purdue University, except on points where the legislation of the state touched its financial management in the line of carrying out those provisions of its foundation which we have fully enough desc1'ibed. The plan of organization adopted by the board of trustees was based on the theory of special education, and the instruction of the University was distributed among the following special schools : l. School of natural science, including- ffrj Physics and industrial mechanics. thy Chemistry. tw J Natural history. ll. School of engineering, including- qfrj Civil engineering. thi Mining engineering. frj Architecture. IH. School of agriculture, including- faj Theoretical and practical agriculture. tbj Horticulture. trj Veterinary science. IV. School of military science. P Detailed courses of study, however, were only adopted and announced in agriculture, chemis- try, engineering, and physics. For two years the University was conducted on this plan of special education, but there seemed little demand for the special courses of instruction provided. The only special students received entered the school of chemistry, and most of these were in

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IVhite's inaugural address he said: General science points in the right direction, but applied science is the highway to intelligent skill in all the industrial arts. These arts are, indeed, but applications of science. It is hoped that the growth of the University in the future may be largely in this direction.', He further says: Is it too much to expect that the noble gift of Judge Purdue will yet prove a fruitful precedent and that a group of Well-endowed special schools, bearing honored names, may eventually make this institution a renowned college of science and technology ? can see to what extent ident IVhite have been Military instruction year 1876. In the year was completed. It was college building. In 1879 embrace flow courses, the and mechanical 5 and the culture, and the school of shop, were put into suc- school of mechanics, out of mechanical engineer- Prof. Goss. The work- partment was in the base- macy building. As the there was a growing need Conservatory was com- gift from Mr. Martin L. University, and is known atory. The Agricultural 1881, which made greater possible in that depart- eral courses of study were We 5, ? :Sify Iltl L . 1 1 ..... ttf fs 1 ABRAHAN C. DHOITTITIDGE I674-75. At the present time we the expectations of Pres- realized. was begun during the 1-1- 181 1 the University Hall designed to be the main the college was made to scientilic, agricultural special school of agri- mechanics with its work- cessful operation. The of which has grown that ing, was established by shop of this infant de- ment of the present phar- school grew and enlarged of new buildings. The pleted in 1879. It was a Peirce, treasurer of the as the t'Peirce Conserv- Building was erected in and more extended work ment. In 1882 the sev- revised and the instruc- tion improved in practical value-results made possible by a larger experience. In May, 1883, another revision of the course of study, such as the condition and resources of the University wouldjustify, was submitted to the board and adopted by them. The most important of the changes were : Q15 The giving of still greater prominence to the courses in argiculture, horticulture and mechanics. QZJ The supplementing of the two years' course in practical mechanics by a two years' course in mechanical engineering. Q31 The improvement of the industrial art course and its adoption as