Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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HISTORY From 1884 until 1891 the College operated solely as an evening school. At the end of this time the power to confer degrees was granted, and the Liberal Arts College was established. A Day Department was formed to furnish the equivalent of a four-year day course. The Samaritan Hospital, which has since become the Temple University Hospital, was also founded in 1891. The School of Nursing traces its origin to the year 1893, the same year that the School of Theology was opened to accommodate the many young men who were studying for the ministry. I he Law School was formally opened in 1895, and the College and High School were divided into separate institutions. The course in Pharmacy was first offered in 1901, and two years later the School of Pharmacy was organized as a unit of the University, with day and evening courses. In 1907 the charter was so amended that the name of the institution became Temple University instead of Temple College. The Philadelphia Dental College, one of the oldest and most reputable dental colleges in the United States, became a part of Temple in 190 . At the same time the Garretson Hospital was also annexed to the University. The School of Music was established in 1913 and the School of Chiropody in 1915. The School of Commerce was organized at the close of the World War, followed by Teachers' College in 1919 The year 1920 marked the founding of the School of Oral Hygiene; the Greatheart Hospital was incorporated into the University in 1921. The following year, Conwell Hall, a six-floor building with a swimming-pool and gymnasium, was built. On December 6, 1925, our Founder passed away. Dr. Conwell was buried in the Monument Cemetery, opposite the University, and lies within the shadows of the institution which is a fitting monument to his genius and life-work. Temple was in his mind and heart as long as he lived. His last birthday message to the Weekly on February 16, 1925, expressed his fond hope for a greater Temple University. These are the days wherein all the students, faculty, and officials of Temple University are elated with the joy of victory, Dr. Con well's message read. Our theories of a few years ago have become established facts and the American people now recognize the truth of our oft-repeated assertion that the brain and hands can work together and both be stronger for the effort. This Founder's Day signalizes the most complete achievement of the purposes and plans of so many good people who have prayed for our success. Let our past successes encourage all who love to serve God by the service of humanity to plan carefully and to move on courageously to greater things. The new Administration Building of the Philadelphia Public Schools contains a bust of Dr. Conwell in the niche which bears the caption. Philadelphia's Greatest Recent Educator. Dr. Conwell was ably assisted in his educational work, and Temple University benefited by the noble services of Dr. Laura 18 8 4 i4 y

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19 3 4 HISTORY By Ken Satchell ( f 7 E, THE February and June classes of 1934, share the covcte honor of being graduated in Temple University's fiftieth anniversary year As Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, we have gratefully accepted the educational opportunities that we desired, from a rich academic treasury which was amassed during a half century of inspired growth. Our University now finds itself abreast of a memorable milestone, and its forward movement will continue, Perseverantia Vincit. This graduation year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the University by Dr. Russell H. Conwell, Baptist clergyman, beloved by all who knew him. Dr. Conwell, our Founder, who personally guided the expansion of the Alma Mater's departmental and professional services from 1884 to 1925, was born in Massachusetts, February 15, 1834. He was educated at Wilbraham Academy, Yale University, and the Albany Law School. In 1882, Dr. Conwell came to this city and established the Baptist Temple, at that period the largest Protestant church in the United States. The biographies of Dr. Conwell stress two factors which were most notable in winning for him universal respect, Temple University and Acres of Diamonds. Dr. Conwell first delivered his lecture Acres of Diamonds, in 1861. At the time of his death, he had delivered the lecture more than six thousand times. The receipts from his lectures would probably exceed seven million dollars. This fortune Dr. Conwell used to aid ambitious men and women, and later, Temple College and Temple University. Acres of Diamonds, something that every Temple man and woman should read, had been delivered to millions of persons prior to the Founder's death. It has been presented from the platform and over the radio; people are still reading Dr. Conwell's contribution to human philosophy. A half century ago Russell H. Conwell commenced his work as founder of Temple University by giving personal instruction to an evening class of seven young men who wished to enter the ministry. We may now compare the night school class of 1884 with our University of 1934, which devotes its services to more than eleven thousand students. Our modern University owes its origin and a great part of its development to its Founder's untiring endeavors and his faith that diamonds are found, if searched for, in one’s own back yard within reach of any person. Within four years from the beginning of his undertaking, Dr Conwell was granted a college charter for his students. The growth of a student body that numbered over 500 individuals required immediate expansion, so the Temple College building was erected and adjacent halls and dwellings were acquired.

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HISTORY 19 3 4 H. Carnell, who labored for thirty-six years in the interest of our University, first in the capacity of an instructor, later as Dean, and finally as the Associate President. On March 31, 1929, three years after the death of Dr. Con well, Temple University and its friends bowed their heads in sorrow at the passing of Dr. Carnell. President Charles E. Beury was inaugurated in 1926. Under his able direction there has been remarkable academic development of the various schools and colleges of the University since he took over the Founder's work. More than 15,000 persons pledged support to the Russell H. Conwell Foundation in 1926, when gifts and pledges amounted to the sum of $1,600,000. Within the last eight years a comprehensive program of development has been sponsored by President Beury and the Board of Trustees. The first step in the program was the addition of the seventh floor of Conwell Hall. Then came the erection of Carnell Hall in 1928. The development of a Medical Center at Broad and Ontario streets, by the consolidation of the activities of the Medical School, Hospital, and the Nurses' School, comprised the second step. The Medical School Building was the first unit of the Center. The University possessed no adequate athletic field in 1927. In 1928, through the gift of Mr. Charles G. Erny, Temple became the owner of a large concrete stadium, which has a seating capacity of 40,000. Night football was introduced in 1930 and proved to be a worthy venture. Mitten Hall, beautiful and stately recreational center, was another contribution to the enrichment of student life. The Gothic edifice was opened January 1, 1931, and was named in honor of Thomas E. Mitten, late Philadelphia transit executive. Another notable step in the University's march of progress was the acquisition of the Oak Lane Country Day School in May, 1931. The new Medical School building was acquired the same year. A memorial bequest of a new library by the estate of Thomas D. Sullivan, valued at more than $250,000, formed the nucleus of the amount necessary to provide an intellectual workshop to fill the needs of greater scholastic standards and a growing undergraduate and graduate student body. This library, which will rank with the finest college libraries in the East, is being erected on the campus, following the Government award of a $550,000 loan for its construction. We pause, breathless, in the middle of 1934. We have only recorded the highlights of Temple progress. Space forces us to omit a mass of achievements that are worthy of recognition. We thank a loving and gracious God for allowing us to become a permanent, living part of our Alma Mater an Alma Mater that came from the Founder's soul and took shape fifty years ago. May the next fifty years bring as much progress. [15