University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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ricovwlc r History Noah Putnam Gates Albert Wbbb Bishop The University of Arkansas 1872-1922 In 1871 the Legislature of Arkansas passed an acl accepting the condition of the Congressional Land Grant Act (Morrill) of 1862, providing for financial aid to state institutions of higher and technical education and creating the Arkansas Industrial University. When the University first opened its doors to students, January 22, 1872, the equipment consisted of a spacious campus on which was a dwelling house remodeled for recitation rooms and a frame building two stories high, both supplied with stoves, desks, maps, charts, and blackboards. The first day four instructors greeted seven students. By the end of the year, the en- rollment reached 101. The board had considerable difficulty in finding a President and induced Professor Gates to act in that capacity until 1873, when General A. W. Bishop was elected. He served until 187 ), when Professor Gates again occupied the president’s chair holding it until 1877. This was the pericxl of foundation work under very adverse conditions, 'flic financial support was small—hardly more than 85,000 a year in state appropriations, the warrants on which sold at a heavy discount, plus 810.000 from the endowment, and educational standards were very low. The administration of General I). H. Mill (1877-1884), was a notable one, though somewhat stormy. He secured a considerable increase in state appro- priations, began to equip the various departments and laid the foundations for laboratories. While a man of scholarly attainments and high standards, he had to fight against several members of the faculty who wanted to raise the standards considerably above the capacity of the students. His resignation was regretfully accepted by the Board. Following the direction of the Legislature, the Board wiped the state clean and started anew by the election of Colonel George M. Edgar (1884-1887) as president. This administration is notable for the beginning of work in agriculture. Being opposed to the policy demanded by the legislation of 1887, Colonel Edgar resigned. To carry out the policy of industrializing the University, the Board elected Colonel E. H. Murfee. Students were required to labor three hours a day, for Page 25 I i f.S 1 i l 2a

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1871-72 1921-22 “Fifty Ye ars of Service i fcfcTN A world apart from ours”—river scene on White River east of Fayette- ville. The Ozark Mountains afford some of the most beautiful surround- ings that could be conceived for a State University and the University of Arkansas has been particularly fortu- nate in its location.

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 ■feOtiiiltlC ? which they received from three cents (classical students) to ten cents (agricul- tural students) an hour. This practice was found very unsatisfactory and with the passing of the “agrarian movement,” was abandoned. George Mathews Edgar Daniel Harvey Hill The administration of I)r. John L. Buchanan (1894-1902) was one of com- parative calm. Largely through his influence the name was changed to Uni- versity of Arkansas. The appropriations were increased considerably, but the Board, in opposition to Dr. Buchanan, was parsimonious in salaries. The brief administration of Dr. Henry S. Hartzog (1902-5), was a period of building and of “selling” the University to the people. Appropriations were secured for several buildings, and radical changes were made in the courses of study and in the conditions for entrance. The period 1905-12, Judge John N. Tillman, President, was one of expansion, both in the teaching force and in the number of students. The number of stu- dents rose from 810 to 1,133 in 1909, but declined after that owing to the aboli- tion of the preparatory department, which finally disappeared in 1911. Beginning in 1909, the entrance requirements were increased one unit each year until they reached 14 units (1914). The summer school was started in 1909 with an enroll- ment of 98. John Lee Buchanan Edward Hunter Mcreek On the retirement of President Tillman (1912), the Board asked Professor John H. Reynolds to act as President for a year while th y were finding a perma- nent President. At the close of the year, Professor Reynolds left to become Page 26