University of Arkansas Pine Bluff - Golden Lion Yearbook (Pine Bluff, AR)

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President Davis and Family .sjsfgrgi sway? Left to right: sLaWr6nce Jr., President Davis, Ronald, Sharon, Mrs. Davis, Larnell. Page 19 J-u 1 1 1 E '1 a 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 11 1 5. 1 1 1 1 1 1 Z Qi

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MECHANXCAL RKP-N5 A5 8: NORMAL COLLEGE AGRXCULTURAL. PINE BLUFF. A April io, 1950 historical, it is ' ultural, THE PRESIDENT Everywhere: 't is uniquely of the kgric OFFICE OF Dear Students, Alumni and Friends This splendid Annual is significantly epochal, i peculiarly valuable as a recorder in the seventy-seven-year life Mechanical and Normal College. A review of my letter for the publication of last year will reveal our anticipa- tions at that time for the improvement of the College. Among them were the expectancy of a state appropriation of one half million dollars annually, funds for an agriculture building, a science building, a student unionfdining hall combination building, athletic facilities, and, most of all, accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in l950. . l wish to report on the outcome of our ambitions and aspirations thus far: The legislature of l9L9, with the strong support of Governor NcNath, appropriated 5b25,000 annually for the biennium l9u9-l95l for operation, and 5750,000 for the same interim for buildings. Consequently, at present a Sl,250,000 building program is under way. The agriculture and science buildings are two-thirds complete, the student unionfdining hall structure is being planned by the architect and will be under construction by mid-summer, two dormitories will be constructed during the coming school term, and twenty-one acres of land have been purchased for developing athletic facilities. At least 550,000 will be spent on the new stadium and playing field during the summer. let, the most gratifying and satisfying announcement l have ever made is that uThe n'N and N College is now a full-fledged member of the North Central Association of Col- leges and Secondary Schools.n Without doubt, this is the'highest academic rating the College can earn. lt means that the institution is respected as a standard institution all over the United States, and in fact all over the world. l am sure the soul of the illustrious Dr J B Watson is happy. These were his dreams. Surely, the facts above indicate beyond question that we have been unstintingly blessed. The supreme joy accrues from the way our blessings were acquired. People of many interests and stations in our society did their bit. Governors, legislators, edu- cators, newspapermen, business people, social leaders, religious leaders, conservatives, liberals, nradicalsn, faculty and students -- all races combined their efforts in our behalf. To them all we are profoundly grateful. Now the institution is faced with a formidable and inescapable challenge. Arkansas' natural and human resources need further development and conservation. We need better citizens and more satisfactory human relations. The inherent dignity of all men needs enhancement. Atomic and hydrogen power needs harnessing for human good. The optimism of peace and human brotherhood must supplant the ominous fear that we shall destroy'all that is good and beautiful in our human civilization. Can a 'Negrou institution in Arkansas successfully meet its part of this challenge? We pray God that it can, and that this College Will enjoy able, wise, and inspired lead- hip competent and consecrated teaching, and continued public confidence and devotion. te ourselves to attuning the minds and hearts of men to the good of mane ' eases our confidence to accept the challenge, our future efforts youl' S' rely our ers , ll dedica ' tion incr ' Uwe thank we sha Accredita f saying, DAVIS kind. ' be our way o TANRENCE A ' d e n t will P r e s i LAUQWGH 4 , l L, Page 18 yum

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HONORABLE SIDNEY SANDERS MCMATH GOVE RN O R Governor Sidney S. McMath of Hot Springs, Arkansas has proven himself to be a capable and progressive statesman in the administration of the affairs of the state of Arkansas. Page '20