University of Minnesota - Gopher Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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largest and most costly undertakings since the construction of the Library. Standing on the eastern limits of the broad sweep of Campus, grand and stately with its long line of solid wall, cutting the sky-lines with its embattled turret and tower, the structure suggests the military power and athletic strength for which it was primarily built. lt might truly be called the Temple of Physical Culture and Social Life. fvf BOUT THE GYMNASIUM the social life of the Uni- versity has already begun to make its history. The will bring back many of the pleasantest memories of student days, have found a home here. Picture the many festive scenes to be enacted hereg how oft will the sound of revelry by night be heardg how many times will the gay bunting and class-colors decorate its inner walls for the Senior Promenade and the Junior Ball, and how again its outer walls will reverberate with the shouts and applause, the Ski-U-Mahs and the megaphone blasts as the champion dashes across the enemy's line with the victorious pig-skin. And last, and saddest of all, how many a procession will wend its way thither- ward at Commencement to receive the greatest honor and the final testimony that the Alma Mater has in her power to grant-the sheep-skin. From this great hall as from the hall at old Caerleonl' shall go forth many a knight on the modern quest of the Golden Trail! The acquisition of the property south of the Gymnasium through the eH'ort of the Athletic Board of Control and the generous Hnancial aid of Mr. Alfred Pillsbury has greatly changed and improved the appearance of the Campus, Greater Northrop Field, as the enlarged athletic grounds have been named, is the Stadium of the west. The whole University has reason to be grateful for the munificence of the Pillsbury family. The substantial brick wall about the Field gives it an aspect of permanency as well as beauty. It is in harmony with the soft colors and long lines of the Gymnasium. Taken as a whole, this grouping of wall and solid building produces a most pleasing effect. I ra 5 1 ' . . , sports, recreations, and amusements, those hours which F' Q OU 5,35-ff HILE THE UNIVERSITY has been expanding, it has also been defining and confining its boundaries. The construction of the fence and gateways along University Avenue is another evidence of the liberality of the heirs of the late Mr. Pillsbury. The gift of this memorial fence together with the beautification of the Campus has been ofinestimable benefit. Every student that enters the new gate at I2

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Fourteenth Avenue feels the difference between the old, slovenly, unkempt appearance of the broad sweep of Campus and the present order and beauty, prophetic of even better things to be. The fence is a great success. Dress a child in white and it will take pride in keeping clean. Everyone con- nected with the University has a sense of pride in its more attractive surroundings. The fine old oaks, the pleasant walks over the green, the picturesque view of the grand Nlississippi flowing southeast under the high bluffs will leave an everlasting impression on the minds of those who from day to day and year to year pursue their life of study here. These charms, these memories will sink into our minds, will become a part of our lives, and we too shall have a poet to sing: Ye distant spires, ye antique towers, That crown the watery glade. '. . . - ' sp . -LATURE is the cleverest landscape gardener. lt , Q: I t was she who directed the Father of Waters to x cut his way throu h the vlain and leave the ' 5 wifi 5 i' high bluffs' on whigh the haind of man has built ,I Q Q the halls of the University, The distribution ' X of the buildings over the Campus has not been A g :T made with forethought. They have been ' A placed by hazard rather than by law. Such ' -' costly and excellently planned structures as the new Physics and lVlining buildings have lost their potential beauty by their unfortunate location. University Avenue should have been made the back door of the University. The Campus should have been left to face the river. One great building, planned to contain all the laboratories and recitation halls, should have been erected along the avenue. The entrance to the Campus should have been made by passages through this long building, passages built like great gateways surmounted by towers. Passing under the great building by these vast portals one would then enter the Campus and find himself facing the river, the distant city, and the setting sun. Such famous sites as the Victoria Embankment on the Thames, the Riverside Drive of New York, and Summit Avenue of St. Paul, would have paled before the splendor and grandeur of the Campus of the University of lVlinnesota. We shall build anew some day, the present structures of brick will not endure forever, some Augustus will come and leave it of marble. Naturally he will adopt the plan just outlined. The day is not far distant when University Avenue, at least that part of it opposite the Campus, will be a sort of annex to the University. 14