University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING J. R. Benton, B.A., Pii.D., Dean of College of Engineering and Pro-fetutor of Physics and Electrical Engineering Com. U. T. Holmes, U.S.N. (Rtd.), Professor of Mechanical Engineering P. L. Reed, C.E., M.S., Professor of Civil Engineering W. S. Perky, A.B., M.S., Assistant Pro feasor of Physics and Electrical Engineering Col. E. S. Walker, U.S.A. (Rtd.), Professor of Mechanical Drawing A. J. Strong, Instructor of Mechanical Drawing Alexander Brestii, B.S., Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering B. F. Gaines, B.S., Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering J. W. NORMAN. A.M., PII.D. TEACHERS COLLEGE AND NORMAL SCHOOL J. W. Norman. A.M., Ph.D., Acting Dean and Professor of Philosophy and Education L. W. Buchholz, A.M., Professor of Education and School Management W. B. Hathaway, A.B., B.D., M.A., Instructor in English, I Ait in and Spanish Joseph Roemer, A.M., Ph.D., Professor of Secondary Education J. R. BENTON. B.A.. PH.D. PAGE 27

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II. K. TRUSLEK. A M., LL.B. J. N. ANDERSON. M.A., PII.D. COLLEGE OF LAW COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES J. X. Anderson, M.A., Pll.D., Dea n J. M. Farr, AM., Pll.D., Prof tutor of English Language and Literature H. S. Davis, Pii.D., Professor of Biology and Psychology C. L. Crow, M.A., Pi..D., Professor of Modern Languages and Secretary of the General Faculty T. R. Leicii, Pii.D., Professor of Chemistry J. M. Leaks, A.B., Pii.D., Professor of History and Political Science T. M. Simpson, M.A., Pii.D., Professor of Mathematics E. C. Beck. A.B., M.A., Associate Professor of English A. P. Black, A.B., Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering T. H. Lucas, A.B., Acting Assistant of Mathematics and Physics H. R. Trusler, A.M., LL.B., Dean of Law College and Professor of Imw R. S. Cockrell, M.A., B.L., Professor of Law C. W. Crandall, B.S., LL.B., Professor of Ixtw J. H. Moore. A.B., J.D., Professor of Law W. G. Kline, A.B., LL.B.. Professor of I jaw and Director of Major Sports L. M. Bristol, Pii.D., Professor of Sociology and Economics A. W. Sweet, M.A., Pii.D., Director of De xirtmcnt of Hygiene R. G. Manchester, A.B., D.O., Professor of Physical Education Major Bloxha.m Ward, U.S.A., Commandant of Cadets Capt. Frank E. Culin, U.S.A., Professor of Military Science Captain John H. Atkinson, U.S.A., Professor of Military Science PAGE 26

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 HISTORY, ORGANIZATION ANI) FUTURE Perhaps the most important factor in the growth and reputation of a University is its history. The history of this institution, while it should be uppermost in our minds and well known to every one of us, is probably the least-thought-of essential in connection with the University of Florida. From the history of this institution we may learn to appreciate what we really have at our disposal today; how far we have progressed, and through what strife and conflict we have worked our way to the present high standard. The State of Florida has always been interested in education, in higher education particularly, and with this in mind has formulated many plans and many valued institutions. Little do we realize that as far back as 1824 the Legislative Council discussed plans for the foundation of a University. From “Memoirs of Florida” we may learn that in the year 1886 trustees for a proposed University were appointed, but apparently nothing was accomplished at that time. Upon the admission of Florida to the Union in 1845, the State was granted nearly a hundred thousand acres of land by the General Government, the proceeds from which were to be used to establish two Seminaries, one east and one west of the Suwannee River. The effect of this was the foundation of the East Florida Seminary at Ocala in 1852, and of the West Florida Seminary at Tallahassee in 1856. The East Florida Seminary was removed to Gainesville in 1866. The State Constitution of 1868 contained provisions for establishing and maintaining a University, pursuant to which the Legislature passed the next year “An Act to establish a uniform system of common schools and a University.” Other attempts to establish a university were made in 1883 by the State Board of Education, and in 1885 by the legislature. Furthermore, the State Constitution of 1885 expressly permitted special legislation with regard to a university. Meanwhile, in the year 1870, the legislature had passed “An Act to establish the Florida Agricultural College.” This not fully meeting the terms of the “Land Grant College” Act of Congress in 1862, the Legislature passed, in 1872, a supplementary act and the State received, in consequence thereof, ninety thousand acres of land from the General Government in support of the proposed college. In 1873 a site for this was selected and in 1875 another selection was made. Finally, in 1883, Lake City was chosen, and upon completion of the college, instruction was begun in the fall of 1884. In 1886 an attempt was made to have the name of this institution changed to “University of Florida,” and this title was finally secured by a legislative act of 1903. Before this, in 1884, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station had been established as one of its departments in accordance with the terms of the Hatch Act. During these years, in addition to the three mentioned, there had come into existence three other State institutions of higher education: the Normal School at DeFuniak Springs, the South Florida College at Bartow, and the Agricultural Institute in Osceola County. In 1905, however, inasmuch as these six institutions had failed to make satisfactory differentiation among themselves and to separate their work sufficiently from that ri— rx: rr tt—ir “XT TT TT TT PAGE 28