Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 33 text:

HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS ONE »f the primary aims in the founding of Temple University was to provide an opportunity for the pursuit of liberal studies to persons who could not avail themselves of the daytime curriculum in established institutions. Accordingly, evening classes were organized in subjects of collegiate grade and qualified instructors were engaged to carry on the work. The power to confer degrees was granted by the state in 1891. and the day department was at once opened with a small group of regularly admitted students. The first class to complete the tour-year course was graduated in 1901. and one of the earliest t«» receive the degree was the present distinguished and beloved Dean of the University Corporation. In 1904 the faculty of Liberal Arts was separated from the other faculties and Dr. Albert E. McKinley, who had been professor of history for a number of years, was appointed as its head. Under his energetic leadership the college courses for teachers were expanded, many members of the public school system of Philadelphia being enrolled as candidates for the Bachelor degree. Some years later the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education was established, and courses leading to that degree were supervised by the college until 1919 when the work was formally transferred to Teachers’ College. Dr. McKinley also fostered the interest in civil engineering and chemistry courses, and secured the assistance of capable instructors in those fields. The present administration began in 1915, when Dr. McKinley accepted a professorship in the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. James 11. Dunham was appointed as Dean Two years later the United States entered the World War. and in September, 1918, a unit of the Students’ Army Training Corps was organized at Temple University. The college took on the aspect of an armed camp. At the conclusion of the war a new impulse was felt in the circles of higher education. The entering classes in the day department were doubled, and additions to the teaching staff became necessary. Besides this the new requirements in medical education brought a large number of students into the Medical Preparatory course. The Freshman Class during the year 1923-24 numbered 130. In 1921 an entirely new scholastic program was inaugurated. The Science degree was abolished and all students were registered for the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The I harvard system of concentration and distribution of studies was adopted, every student being placed under the supervision of an adviser. At the close of the Freshman year, students are required to choose a Group of Concentration. Language and Literature, History and Economics, Natural Sciences or the Abstract Sciences. A scheme of general and special honors has been organized for the purpose of stimulating qualified students to develop thoroughness of study in one or more departments. 'I’he facilities of the college have slowly extended. New laboratories for science were fitted up in the annex to College Hall opened in 1916. hut they are now taxed to their capacity. The college library occupies the first floor of the annex. It contains 18.000 volumes of carefully selected books, together with a large number of valuable pamphlets and brochures. That the work of the college has been successful as the result of the faithful services of its faculty is attested by the character and attainments of the men and women who have taken its degrees. Ministers, lawyers, physicians, scientists, teachers, social workers and many others trace their inspiration to the instruction obtained in College Hall. James H. Dunham.

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 THE SENIOR CLASS OF THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES RESPECTFULLY DEDICATES THIS SECTION OF THE TEMPLAR TO JAMES H. DUNHAM, Ph.I), LL.D. DEAN OF THE COLLEGE -»

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