University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 21 text:

1.911 ep aw GGCQIIL' SECIU to have caught their inspiration from the Chapel and in turn will seem to be contributing of their worthiest to the Chapel. In this way the group of University buildings, with the Chapel centrally located and dominant in its architecture, may proclaim that the University in its ideal, is dominated by the spirit of religion, all its departments are inspired by the religious feeling, and all its work is directed to the highest ends. ivith the exception of the sum required for the chapel the rest of the fund may he used at the discretion of the Trustees for land, buildings, or endowment, but no part of the principal sum shall be used for current expenses. It is hoped, however, with the exception ofthat desig- nated for the Chapel, it will be possible to set aside practically all, if not all, of the gift for en- dowment purposes and that in the future as in the past the citizens of Chicago and the Wlest will provide funds for the various buildings as they are needed. The Trustees of the University of Chicago in accepting the generous gift of Mr. Rocke- feller passed the following resolutions: lt is now twenty-one years since in Nlay, 1380, hlr. Rockefeller made his first gift to the University of Chicago. The present gift marks, therefore, the completion of a significant period in the history of the University throughout which he has cooperated with other friends of the institution, to place it on a permanent foundation. This final gift will make the total amount which the University will have received from its Founder approximately Thirty-live Million Dollars QB35,ooo,ooo.j i We know of no parallel in the history of educational benefaction to gifts so munihcent bestowed upon a single institution of learning. But unique as they are in amount, they are still more remarkable for the spirit in which they have been bestowed. Mr. Rockefeller has never permitted the University to bear his name, and consented to be called its Founder only at the urgent request of the Board of Trustees. He has never suggested the appointment or the re- moval of any professor. Wliatever views may have been expressed by members ofthe faculty, he has never indicated either assent or dissent. He has never interfered directly or indirectly, with that freedom of opinion and expression which is the vital breath of a university, but has adhered without deviation to the principle that while it is important that university professors in their conclusions be correct, it is more important that in their teaching they be free. More significant still: this principle has been maintained even in his attitude toward the teaching of a subject so intimate as religion, wherein the mind is keenly sensitive to differences of opinion. Although at times doctrines have been voiced in the University which traverse those the Founder is known to hold, he has never shown a desire to restrain that freedom which is quite as precious in theology as in other fields of thought. Such a relationship between a great benefactor and the institution which he has founded affords a model for educa- tional benefaction through all time to come. In contemplating the severance ofthis long continued re- lationship, so gracious on his part and rendered delightful by so many acts of personal courtesy, the Trustees are unable to express their appreciation of munilicence so vast exercised in a spirit so line. It is the conjunction of the act and the spirit of the act which has made it possible to create and maintain the University, and the Trustees hope that th rough the ages to come the Univer- sity of Chicago, by training youth in character and in exact learning, and by extending the lield of human knowledge, may justify all that has been done by its Founder. Frederick Taylor Gates 15

Page 20 text:

carter IQII HD ann ooannd- Mr. Rockefeller's Gift to the University of Chicago TREVOR ARNETT N a letter dated December 13, 1910, addressed to the President and Trustees of the University of Chicago, Mr. John D. Rockefeller in- formed them that he had caused to be set aside for the University of 1 Chicago, from the funds of the General Education Board, income bear- pgh ,.1l' ing securities ofthe present market value of approximately SI0,000,000, Eak-QOL A the same to be delivered to the UI1lV6fSIIy'.lD ten equal annual ,install- 'f7 U ments beginning January 1, 1911, each installment to bear income to the University from the date of such delivery only. In making this great gift Mr. Rockefeller closed in a single and final gift his contri- butions to the University. He states in his letter as follows: The sum I now give is intended to make provision, with such gifts as may reasonably be expected from others, for such added buildings, equipment and endowment as the depart- ments thus far established will need. This gift completes the task which I have set before my- self. The founding and support of new departments or the development of the varied and alluring fields of applied science, including medicine, I leave to the wisdom of the Trustees as funds may be furnished for these purposes by other friends of the University. In making an end to my gifts to the University, as I now do, and in withdrawing from the Board of Trustees my personal representatives, whose resignations I enclose, I am acting on an early and permanent conviction that this great institution being the property of the people should be controlled, conducted and supported by the people, in whose generous efforts for its upbuilding I have been permittedsimply to cooperate, and I could wish to consecrate anew to the great cause of education the funds which I have given, if that were possible, to present the institution a second time, in so far as I have aided in founding it, to the people of Chicago and the Westg and to express my hope that under their management and with their generous support the University may be an increasing blessing to them, to their children and to future generations. The record of donations made to the University by Mr. Rockefeller brought to an end by this gift is a notable one. On May 15, 1889, he made his lirst gift of ,7lC6oo,ooo to the American Baptist Education Society to be used for an endowment fund for a college to be established in Chicago, the income only of which was to be used for current expenses on condition that ,8400,000 more be given by good and responsible parties to be used for the purpose of purchasing land and erecting buildings. From that date to December 13, 1910, when he made the gift of81o,ooo,ooo, he has donated to the University sums aggregating approximately 83-S,OO0,000. The gifts were for a variety of purposes. The greater portion has been for endowment, While some were for purchasing land adjacent to the University on each side of the Midway to assure to the University a sufiicient amount of land contiguous to the original campus for all possible expansion for generations to come, some, though small in amount compared with the total gifts, were for buildings, and the remainder was given for current expenses and such special needs as arose from time to time. In making the gift of81o,ooo,ooo Mr. Rockefeller stated that it was his desire that at least the sum of8I,5oO,oOO be used for the erection and furnishing of the University Chapel. I-Iis idea of the relation the chapel should hold to the University' is expressed as follows: It is my desire that at least the sum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars fSI,SO0,000D be used for the erection and furnishing of a University Chapel. As the spirit of religion should penetrate and control the University, so that building which represents religion ought to be the central and dominant feature of the University group. The Chapel may ap- propriately embody those architectural ideals from which the other buildings, now so beauti- fully harmonious, ihave taken their spirit, so that all the other buildings on the campus will ., Q ai f ' I 15.91 tv,-,ge-L, ,'.j,ss 14

Page 22 text:

ca 6 IQII EP gnu ooatins- r- Ti f . mal ibY8Ti2' SHEPLEY, RUTAN AND Cootiooe, Architects In the spring of roto ground was broken for the new Harper Memorial Library building and the corner stone was laid with impressive exercises on June 14, IQIO. The construction has progressed rapidly and the elaborate stone work of this building was completed during the winter of IQIO-II. The Harper Library is the largest building on the campus thus far, and is to be the central feature of the Library Group which is to extend along the Midway, com- pletely filling the space from Ellis avenue to Lexington avenue. The Library itself with its two dominating towers, the highest point of the turrets 135 feet above the ground, occupies the center of the Group to be flanked by the Classics and Modern Language buildings on the west, and the History and Philosophy buildings on the east, with direct connections to the pres- ent Divinity and Foster halls, and with bridge connections to the Law School and Haskell hiuseum. Wlhen completed this Library Gro11p will enclose three separate courts. In the center court will be erected a bronze statue of President Harper. The Harper Library gives the University a new illustration of English Gothic architecture ofthe Collegiate type, inspired by the many examples ofsuch buildings in the English university towns of Oxford and Cambridge. The Harper Library is not a copy of any particular building, but all of the features of its design have their origin in some ancient motives of this style of architecture adapted to modern conditions. The result gives an air of dignity and ancient charm to this important central building of the University. The entrances to the library are all on the north side of the building through the two towers and central porch. The main entrance is through the West Tower, which has the preference in architectural treatment, and opens into the first floor entrance hall, the interior of which with the staircase, is finished in cut stone with heavy beamed ceilings. Adjoining the entrance hall is the President's suite of ollices and the Harper Assembly Room, which is also reached through the central entrance of the building. The remaining portion of the first floor with the entire basement and second floor will eventually be filled with modern fireproof book- stack construction, providing for about forty-five thousand li11eal feet ofshelving. Eight electric automatic booklifts will give direct service from the stacks to the tlz1'rr1'f17oor, which is the main feature of the interior and provides a Reading Room of magnificent proportions 140 feet long and 53 feet wide, lined by high open bookcases below great tracery windows. The walls of this room are of Bedford limestone with a groined tiled ceiling 46 feet above the Hoof. At each end of this room is an arched recess with paneled stone soflit and space for large wall painting. Below this is an elaborate stone screen with balcony over. The rloor ofthe Reading Room will be occupied by reading tables, and in the East Tower is provided space for History and Manuscript rooms. The Towers each contain seven stories and are equipped with electric passenger elevators. The whole building is provided with a mechanical heating, ventilating, and air filtering system. TT 115 TT