University of Nevada - Artemisia Yearbook (Reno, NV)

Page 31 text:

u ful' :hem mtial good , . I Ill .N in k 5 I: ot Th C ibers fbert wool. .II v 4 4 2: K. d C ure the the of lass PP' for ig at C IO of the University the best she had fiom a life rich in experience, from a mind splendidly endowed, from a heart that was patriotic, unselfish and brave. Stephen A. jones was President ofthe University from 1890 to 1894, which time constituted a large part of the formative period of the University. Methodical, conservative, cautious, kindly and considerate in his dealings with faculty and students, he was perhaps an jfmb-, N MNA R M04-l7'7f'. ' ffl 'L 9 05 Ja.: 1 95:1 fa W K xi .1 'vc I ll 1 q K Q2 l rl 'f J Mom 1-ll At rl V ll C 'l Ml- J? C 1 A 4 . up R it M 5 w l I 9' H is l f fx N N X I 1 1, f- all 'X X l t V-muffin Q 12. l t 1 , X , y, c l . x ales I A , Q' me tread. W . ' 'V Jam Sm XS' Q lv fn-f VJ' a-dsw tw.r. w . .t effective balance wheel among the imperfectly conspiring forces that were then building the University. Among the names that should stand high as one of the builders of the University is that of R. D. Jackson, Professor of Mining and Metallurgy from 1889 to 1900. His best energies were thrown into every thing he undertook. He. labored to make the courses of study entrusted to him as thorough and eflicient as possible. He may justly claim the distinction of having organized the Mining School at the University and pushed it a long way on the creditable career it has enjoyed. His was an enthusiastic, optimlstic temperament, and this went a long way towards inspiring his students with hopefulness and confidence in themselves. The many meniwho have gone out from the Mining School and are now filling places of trust and responsibility with efficiency and satisfaction are the best argument for the course of study in which they acquired their training and for Professor Jackson, under whose tuition many of them took the vt ork in mining andimetallurgy. This brief sketch would be very incomplete without mention of the kindly and gracious hospitality that distinguished his home and made it a rendezvous for kindred spirits. For many years Professor jackson exerted a strong influence upon University affairs of all kinds, and his long service, efiiciency and generous and kindly traits caused him to be held very high esteem. - A Soon after the 1 University first opened its doors at its present location in Reno, the faculty consisted of LeRoy D. Brown, President, Miss Hannah K. Clapp and Walter MCN. Miller. Professor Miller came to the University in 1887 and resigned in 1899. Through a large part of that time he was Professor of' Biology and Geology, a position that he filled with great distinction. He was a natural teacher-efficient, logical, enthusi- astic, kind hearted. He had a keen sense of humor and he loved a good story and told one well. His method 25

Page 30 text:

-P Y P PM TP' PM'-M P7 ' - - V 7 '7'YC - ' -' f-mf--. ,Y - yi---vp---f.Ti-...,,t,,i tions, but full of vital energy and ambition devoted to the University and alive to every opportunity to advance what each beleived to be for the general good. As a whole, the faculty were not then always united in opinion concerning the various matters that came before them for consideration. The discussions in these faculty meetings were animated and exhilerating, but did not always result in the substantial unanimity of conclusion that might have been expected from the length and strength of the arguments advanced. P However, the vigor of debate and the warmth of rejoinder and repartee seldom were allowed to make unpleasant the social good feeling that prevailed between the different members. Here was a University in process of being constructed, put together by men trained in widely different schools. Each man had his own ideas, gained by experience, or acquired without experience, of methods and manners of accomplishing desired results. Each was somewhat tenacious of his own opinion and some were more or less impatient of the opinions of others, but out of these long and occasionally spicy discussions grew the policy that has made the University what it is to-day. I The students of that day were few in number. The class in college algebra was transferred to me upon October 4th, 1891. .The entire class numbered six. Professor Caine of Elko, Professor Anna Martin, Miss Jennie Sherman and Miss Stella Webster were members of that algebra class. The class in the same subject this year was a little smaller than usual, but numbered sixty persons. 'Mr. Albert Lewers was the only Senior in the School of Mines, Mr. Charles Brown and Mr. Smith Swan were the only juniors in the same school. Mr. Fred Stadtmuller, Mr. William Barney, Miss Blanche Davis and Mr. Albert Lewers constituted the entire graduating class. As future years have brought added strength and power to these students of these' early days, unconsciously one institutes a comparison between the students then and now and is forced to the conclusion that these of the present must stir themselves most actively to equal or exceed the achievements of their predecessors. It is profitable sometimes to look back and contrast past with present that we may discover sources of weakness and not rest satisfied with less than the best that we are capable of doing. Each change should be an improvement. Each class should be a little better than the last, but such is not by any means always the case. Q As among the pioneers of education the people of this State should ever hold in grateful esteem the name of Miss Hannah K. Clapp. Her breezy, kindly manner and brave face, her loyal friendships, her general efficiency and her long service inthe University have made tor her a lasting and an honored place among the builders of the institution. Conspicuously identihed with the University from its opening at Reno in 1887, first as Professor of English Literature for four years, and afterwards as Librarian until her resignation in IQOI, she gave to 24. ' the and the f -V fb K L 1

Page 32 text:

of preparation was thorough and exhaustive and he strove to inspire each student with the same spirit or thoroughness, the same love of knowledge and truth for truth's sake that dominated him. As a friend, Professor Miller was one of the most genial and lovable of men. Professor Wilson, Professor Miller and myself once took a trip to San Francisco on our Wheels. Professor Wilson knew the road, and with his optimistic temperament was inclined to tell us fairy stories about the quality of the road and the number of hills that lay before us. Aier we had ascended our third long hill on a road that Professor Wilson had told us resembled a billiard table and saw stretching out before us hill upon hill to try our fagged muscles, Professor Miller turned upon our Ananias and delivered a lecture upon the fate of prevaricators that I hope fell upon good ground, but I have always had my doubts. t I Dr. .Warne Phillips came to the University in 1889 and for the next eleven years occupied the chair of chemistry and physics. Of all the men who have held posit-ions in the University, no one perhaps ever entered upon the duties of his position more thoroughly equipped for service than he. He set a standard for his work and rigidly exacted compliance with his requirements. But the requirements were not placed beyond the capabilities of the students who exerted themselves earnestly, and While many failed to come up to the standard set by him and were obliged to take the course of study a second time or quit, I have yet to meet the student who will claim that this was any one's fault but his own. 4 - The course in chemistry was made thorough and practical and entirely in keeping vvithnthe needs of the different courses of study. The students of the Mining School particularly need for actual practice in their chosen profession most complete and eflicient instruction in chemistry. This instruction Dr. Phillips was able to give and took great pride in all work which came to his hand in connection with the University, in fact, it would not be too much to say that he made the courses in chemistry what they were brought to be-of great value and interest to every earnest student. He was an enthusiastic sportsman and delighted in every out-of-door sport that could be participated in in this locality. He organized the Faculty Football Team that went down to defeat before the Student Team on the old Fair Grounds in 1895. That was the starting point of football at the University and did much to stimulate interest in that royal sport. In baseball, tennis and wheeling he always took an active part. For honest, efficient, effective work, for long service, for devotion to duty and to principle, Dr. Phillips has won and held an honored place among the builders of the University, ' . Professor T. W. Cowgill came to the University in 1891 as instructor of English Language and Literature. He resigned in 1899 26 F vs pm VK vt o P Sx Cl cl H th wx ki tr 211 lr ii sc tt