Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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HISTORY OF PURDUE. The foundation for Purdue University was laid July 2, 1862, when Mr. Morrell and Senator Wade succeeded in passing- through the United States Congress an amended form of the original Land Grant Bill. By the act each State accepting the bill was entitled to 30.000 acres of land for each Senator and Representative in Con- gress, according to the census of 1800. This land was to be sold and the money used in the maintenance of a college whose leading objects should be, without excluding other classical and scientific subjects, and including military tactics, to teach such branches as related to Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts In 1865 the State of Indiana accepted the bill and by the sale of lands and subsequent investments an endowment of $340,000 was founded, yielding an annual income of $17,000. The school was first called the Indiana Agricultural College, but upon the accept- ance by the State of the donation in 1869 of $150,000 from John Purdue the name was changed to Purdue University. At the same time the donations of $50,000 from Tippecanoe county and 100 acres of land from the citizens of West Lafayette were accepted and the present site was decided upon as the best location for the Uni- versity. Undc the able guidance of Presidents- Richard Owen 1872-1S74 A. C. Shortridge 1S74-1875 E. E. White 1875-1883 J. H. Smart 1883-1000 W. E. Stone 1900- the University has made rapid strides, growing from a small handful of students to a magnificent total of over 2.000 anil from a faculty of six members to one of over two hundred. The preparatory department, which was at first an important adjunct to the University, has long since been abolished and for- gotten and from elementary courses in Agriculture and Science the steady progress has continued until now the University comprises schools of Agriculture, Science, Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Engineering. Pharmacy and Medicine. To maintain the University in proper standing requires with the strictest economy a large amount of money. The estimated income for this purpose from the various sources is as follows: Interest on Endowment Fund $17,000 Proceeds of Educational Tax 150,000 From National Government (Morrell Fundi 25,000 From Miscellaneous Sources 65,000 $257,000 Fur the erection of new buildings special appropriations have been made from time to time by the General Assembly of the State and so generous have these appropriations been that the nucleus of six scattered buildings has grown to an imposing row of twenty-five, with more to be added in the future. Harvey — Ahrens, trainer in the manly art of self-defense.

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1908. Examinations for Admission to the University, Monday, June 8. 8:30 a. m.; Wednesday, September 2, 8:30 a. m. Commencement Day, Wednesday, June 10. Registration for First Semester, September 5, 7, 8, 9. First Semester begins Wednesday, September 9, 10:00 a. m. Thanksgiving Recess, November 25, 12:00 m. to November 30, 1 p. m Christmas Holiday begins Wednesday, December 23, 12:00 m. Christmas Holiday ends Tuesday, January 5, 1 p. m. First Semester ends Saturday, January 30, 12:00 m. Second Semester begins Mcnday, February 1, 8 a. m. Commencement Day, Wednesday, June 9. ' K Grimes — Editor of the official girls ' directory. '

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HISTORY OF THE PAST YEAR. The events of the past year form another link in the chain of years oi the steady progress and growth of our Alma .Mater, and when we stop to think of the unfavorable conditions and hindrances that have attended this progress ii is with no small pride that we recall her success. Through financial necessity progress of a ma- terial nature has been limited, but the broad strides made in the moral, social and intellectual field have to a great degree made up this deficiency, The Hem.. rial Building, which, since the fateful wreck of five years ago, has held a large share of the attention of every loyal Pur- due man, has at last assumed tangible form From the first it was evident that a building combining both memorial and gymnasium features would besl satisfy existing conditions. With this in view the architects, Messrs, R. 1 ' . Daggett Company, of Indianapolis, have prepared plans for a building which will admirably fulfill all requirements and can b( built for the amount already subscribed. It is to be Sa x 165 feet in the main wing with a projecting portion to the front 35x70 feet This front is to contain the entrance hall, lounging r ns, trophy room, ..flics, etc., leaving the main body of the building clear for the gymnasium Moor, which will contain ap- proximately 14,000 square feet of floor area A running track will be suspended around the gymnasium on a level with the main en- trance, and beneath the entrance hall will be a swimming pool 30x60 I ' .t. shower baths, lockers, team quarters and all the features ac- nying a lust class modern gymnasium. The plans have been accepted by the building committee of the University and the cora- if the building is awaited with impatience by the student 1.1. tio body Agricultural E cperiment Station no, (inn (iii is rapidly ch the last completion and the excellent work of the staff will be greatly facilitated by the commodious quarters and modern conveniences which the new build- ing will afford. The ground floor will contain storage and mailing quarters for the station bulletin department, a general laboratory and laboratories for Botany, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and Agronomy. The first floor includes the office of the Director of the Station, general offices and laboratories and offices of the State Chemist and department of Agricultural Extension. The second floor contains a large library, the Chemical laboratory and the de- partments of Dairying and Horticulture. The department of Chemistry, since the foundation of the Uni- versity, has been one of the strongest and there is much satisfaction in seeing it at last provided with a building wherein its work may be carried out unhampered to its maximum efficiency. The building is modern in every respect and forms quite an addition to the Uni- versity. The contemplated addition to the engineering laboratories, form- ing an east wing to correspond to the testing laboratory, will even- tually accommodate the air brake rack and automobile testing plant. It is to be as the other laboratories, one story in height and 35x96 feet in area, and comes as a much needed relief to a very over- crowded department. In the deatli of Professor C. P. Mathews and the resignation of Dean W. F. M. Goss the engineering schools suffered a severe blow, but the manner in which Dean C. H. Benjamin and Professor C. F. Harding have taken up their respective duties portends much for the continued progress of the University. The standing of a University is not only judged by the quality of tin men that it turns out, but equally as much by the quality of Hughes — Too busy with the ladies to attend school. '