University of Nebraska Omaha - Tomahawk / Gateway Yearbook (Omaha, NE)

Page 17 text:

Dr. Jenkins ' Review THE close of the present school year marks the thirteenth milestone in the progress of the University of Omaha toward the goal of its destined greatness as an institution of learning and human uplift. The University will be just thirteen lucky years old on next Com- mencement Day. It will, so to speak, emerge from its institutional childhood into early adolescence. Its beginnings were very humble. No blare of trumpets announced its advent. No munificent endow- ment started it on its career. One wealthy citizen, who afterwards became the institution ' s greatest benefactor, Mr. George A. Joslyn, having heard of the enterprise, made a provisional offer towards its launching, providing that the citizens of Omaha and its vicinity would raise a specified sum. As yet, the need and possibilities of such an institution had not been sufficiently evinced to command the financial support of monied citizens and, consequently, Mr. Joslyn ' s generous offer was not met. Nevertheless, the infant enterprise exhibited tenac- ity of life. It began to thrive and grow in spite of obstacles seemingly insurmountable, the good Lord only knows how and why. Without endowment of funds it lived on optimism and confidence of its worth- while-ness, as an undertaking. Thirteen years is a considerable period in the life of an individual human being. It covers the period of transition from infancy to ado- lescence, from adolescence to the time when one is of age, from this period, in turn, to early prime, from early prime to middle life, and, finally, from middle life to eventual old age. But it is a very brief span of years in the upbuilding of an institution like ours with its limitless possibilities of beneficent adjustment to the ever multiplying civic and cultural needs of a great and growing center of population. Accordingly, we are only beginning to give tangible evidence of the manifold forms of service we may render to the city and to society, at large, as we pass out of our institutional childhood into adolescence and into that still larger growth of which childhood is but the portent and promise. The most distinct forward steps in the progress of the University that have been taken during the current school year may be said to have been taken in connection with the establishment of departments of Engineering and of Music. [13 1

Page 16 text:

Dr. D. E. Jenkins

Page 18 text:

Through the generosity of a very constant friend, who desires her name to be withheld, we have been enabled to install in the basement of the Gymnasium lathes for woodwork and for metal work with the most necessary accessories. We are now equipped to conduct the fun- damental practical courses including the first two years of the Engin- eering Schools. Our facilities and equipment will necessitate our limiting, for the present, the number of students who shall be per- mitted to take these courses. Only those who give evidence of proper preparation and aptitudes will be admitted to the training. Great strides have been made in developing the musical interests of the students. Glee Clubs have been organized and have done both themselves and the school great credit by their clever and pleasing per- formances at the public concerts held in the city Auditorium and at various community centers. The choral work of the Girls ' Glee Club before the State Medical Association greatly pleased the doctors, so, likewise, the singing of the Boys ' Glee Club at a series of elite gather- ings in the prominent churches, at the Central High School, and else- where. Great credit is due to Prof. Krueger and to Mr. Campbell, of the city Y. M. C. A. for their skillful training of the two choral groups. It is particularly gratifying to have made such an auspicious begin- ning in the way of organizing a School of Music. The corps of in- structors which has been secured to assume charge of the training in vocal and instrumental music comprises foremost artists of the city in their respective lines. There are many talented musicians in Omaha, but their interests and efforts have been too individualistic and scatter- ing. As a result, Omaha has not become particularly recognized abroad as a musical center. We are confident that a Conservatory of Music organized, as is ours, with a generous regard to the interests and possible contributions of all musicians and lovers of music, is the proper and only effective agency to put Omaha on the map musically. Moreover, experience shows that such a school can best be promoted, stabilized, and standardized in close affiliation with the cultural courses of a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In retrospect and in prospect, in memory and in anticipation for the future, the year has been a splendid one. Greetings from Board of Trustees and Faculty to the student-body and to all to whom these presents come ! ! ! e. Jenkin. I 14]