University of Georgia - Pandora Yearbook (Athens, GA)

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 he Chancellor’s (Message T TN IV'ERSITIKS in America are of comparatively recent origin. This is especially true of state universities. From the early years of the republic the states one after another established institutions for higher education which, although they were called universities, differed but little, if at all, from the privately endowed and the denominational colleges of the time. Beginning in the last quarter of the nineteenth ccnturv, many of these institutions have made rapid advances toward the university tatus. Always placing emphasis on the fitting of young people for life in a democratic social order, they have led in the movement for broader curricula and the introduction of scientific and technical courses and the establishment of professional schools. The spirit of inquiry, discovery and invention that characterized the period naturally found a congenial atmosphere in the state university as well as in other universities, so that in a comparatively short time the right of an institution to be considered as a university was determined very largely by the quality and extent of its research activities. A logical result of this development was the establishment of graduate schools designed to train students as research workers and producers. Following closely on the development of research and possibly as a result of it, the state university began to sense its obligation to aid in advancing the interests and welfare of individuals, groups and communities outside the limits of its campus. This led to the organization cf what is known as the Division of Extension, by means of which undergraduate and graduate instruction is given to people who cannot come to the institution for it. Studies and investigations of all sorts arc pursued and indeed practically all the facilities of the institution arc made available to the people of the state. Unfortunately for the South, Southern state universities could not . share in the progress and advancement that came to their sister institutions in other sections of the country. It was almost fifty years alter the University movement began that any Southern university could claim to be a university in fact as well as in name. The University of Georgia was chartered in 1785 and opened its doors in 1801. The contribution which its alumni have made to the history and well-being of the state and nation, beginning with its first graduating class, is ample evidence of the effectiveness with which the University performed its task of fitting young people for the duties and responsibilities of life, but it was not until the administration of Chancellor Walter B. Hill, which began in 1899, that the institution began to regard itself as a potential university. In the six and one-half years that Mr. Hill was chancellor gifts and appropriations were made in an amount totalling almost twice as much as the institution had received in the preceding one hundred years. It was during this time that the University was first given a permanent place in the annual budget sheet of the state legislature. In the same period the landed area that later became part of the property cf the College of Agriculture was largely increased. Shortly before Chancellor Hill’s death a survey of the University property was made and elaborate plans worked out for the growth and development of the University. Although the new College of Agriculture did not come into existence until after Chancellor Hill’s death, the act providing for its reorganization and appropriating funds for the main building was largely the creation of his brain and its enactment by the General Assembly was due in very large measure to his efforts. Since the beginning of Chancellor Harrow’s administration in 1906, attendance in the University has increased more than fourfold, the annual state appropriation which was $22,500 is now $270,000, while the appropriations to the College of Agriculture arc $165,200 for maintenance and $248,250 for extension from state funds and $290,000 from the Federal government. Buildings and other structures have been erected to the value of almost $1,000,000 on the old campus and $850,000 on the campus of the College of Agriculture. In addition some $250,000 has been expended for land and equipment. The most noteworthy advance made by the University as a whole since the beginning of Chancellor (Continued on page j6.) l'ace 24

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State College of cAgriculture trustees THK Georgia State College was born under the terms of the Conner Act, passed on July 20. 1906. J. J. Conner, its author, has been chairman of the Hoard of Trustees from that date down to the present time. Dr. Andrew M. Soule was elected President in January. 1907, and the College began active operations in September, 190S. Its growth and development from that date forward has been remarkable and inspiring. It is now regarded as one of the outstanding institutions of its kind in America, and is well and favorably known abroad. The old abandoned farm with which it started has been converted into a thing of beauty and a joy forever. Its campus is the most spacious, beautiful, and attractive in the state. The physical plant, now worth nearh $2,000,-000, has been erected at a cost to the state of approximately $165,000. Its student body has grown from sixty-seven in degree courses in 1908 to more than eleven hundred in 1929. In addition, over three thousand short-course students were instructed upon its campus during the past year. In all. 26,355 students have passed through its portals in twenty-two years. It is the largest and best equipped institution of its kind in the South. Its resident and extension staff number three hundred and fifty. The accomplishments of its personnel are such as to have brought many honors and distinctions to the College and the State. Its motto is “Service;” its campus, the State. Its purpose is to promote teaching, research, extension service and co-operation. I’nder its leadership, Georgia has been transformed from an all cotton into a highly diversified agricultural state; a new home building and development has been set up; a state-wide extension service and a vocational teaching system in agriculture and home economics have been inaugurated; and Georgia has been placed in the forefront of expansion and progress along many other significant and essential economic lines. James J. Conner. MEMBERS OF THE HOARD James J. Conner, President Thomas W. Reed, Secretary and Treasurer Andrew M. Soule, Assistant Secretary John V. Bennett...................Waycross Frank T. Kidd.......................Hartwell Lloyd Cleveland.....................Griffin Henry T. McIntosh.....................Albany James J. Conner................Cartcrsvillc Lucius L. Mc.Muli.an . . . Hartwell M. L. Duggan........................Atlanta Floyd C. Newton......................Madison John A. Gaston...................Greenville Andrew M. Soule.......................Athens Governor L. G. Hardman . . . Atlanta Eugene Talmage.......................Atlanta Jamks J. Conner President I’m 23

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Chancellor Charles eflC. Spelling lift 25