University of Georgia - Pandora Yearbook (Athens, GA)

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Chancellor Charles eflC. Spelling lift 25

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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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T T is the hope and ambition of all those associated with the Georgia State College of Agriculture to make it so aesthetically beautiful within the new few years that it will become a center of attraction to the heauty-lovers not only of Georgia but of the state and eventually the nation as a whole, 'l itis is a wholesome and worthy ambition and one that can be gradually brought into being without the expenditure of an unusually large sum of money. Since the perfection of the plan of this character will take much time, this project has been set out as among the first and most important of the objectives we arc Striving to attain. What is needed primarily is the development of a spirit of appreciation of nature at her best. This will naturally call for a very complete study and utilization of the great variety of grasses, flowers, trees, and shrubs native to our state. An adequate and desirable habitat must be found for them on our campus, and they he given that loving consideration and care which will enable them to attain to the highest degree of perfection in the shortest possible space of time. It is our desire to stimulate a full and ccmplete appreciation and understanding of nature, which, after all. is the “Giver of every good and perfect gift.” She is also man's stronghold and refuge in periods of trial and stress as well as his inspiration ami his guiding star in moments of rejoicing and exultation. To unfold this objective we will soon need equipment capable of taking care of a minimum of fifteen hundred students in the regular courses and five thousand in the short courses. Our facilities for research should he multiplied in every direction. To accomplish the ends we have in view will call for the minimum expenditure within a twenty-year period of three million dollars for the building and equipment and an annual maintenance and support fund of a million more. We need abundant funds at the present time for the purchase of additional farm and forest lands and for the erection of suitable farm buildings, fences and bridges, and the construction of a standard grade of highways throughout our property. We desire to immediately and largely amplify our recreational facilities and equipment for both men and women as we believe that a sound bodj and a cultured mind arc esscntirl to success. Numerous new research laboratories and much costly scientific equipment constitute one of our most immediate and pressing requirements. Our Agricultural Engineering building should he completed at once along with a student commons and assembly hall. Buildings costing a minimum of £250.000 arc needed for agricultural science, extension teaching, veterinary medicine, poultry husbandry, forestry, and women’s work. Additional dormitories costing at least $500,000 are essential in order to house our boys and girls upon an acceptable basis. When our plans have materialized the Georgia State College of Agriculture will indeed and in fact radiate that fine spirit of culture, sentiment, idealism, and service which constitutes its main objective from the very center to the circumference of this great state. I)«. Andrew M. Soule President Georgia State College of Agriculture and the .Mechanic Arts Andrew M. Soule.