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

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THE OLD SCHOOL The year 1938 is witnessing the end of one era in the history of the University of Omaha, for this year is the last to be spent in the group of buildings located at 24th and Pratt streets. The University of Omaha had its beginnings in 1908 through the endeavors and sacrifices of the late Dr. Daniel E. jenkins, his board of trustees, and a group of instructors, many of whom contributed their services. In so doing they hoped to fill the need for an easily available, non-sectarian, co-educational university. On October 8, 1908, the board incorporated the University of Omaha, actual educational work began in September, 1909, with an enrollment of twenty-six students. Dr. Jenkins, then a professor and dean of the faculty at the Omaha Presbyterian 'Theological seminary, rejecting numerous offers, including the presidency of what was to become the National University of Brazil, a teaching position at Princeton Theo- logical Seminary, and the pulpits of many large eastern churches, became the first president of the University of Omaha. For eleven years he accepted no salary, but diverted the money into what he deemed more important channels. The original building had been an old Victorian mansion, purchased with the plot of ground upon which it was located from judge W. A. Redick. ln 1911 a con- tribution by Mrs. M. O. Maul made possible the construction o-f the john Jaco-bs Memorial gymnasium, named for her son. However, the need for a more adequate administration and class building was soon felt, and in 1916 a drive was initiated to raise blS100,000. for such a structure. The late George A. Joslyn agreed to contribute the last 252 5,000 of the fund, and in a short time the drive was completed and Joslyn Hall was built. It was during the 1920s that expanding interests made it feasible to establish the university more permanently, and in 1930 the people of Omaha voted to place this institution under municipal sponsorship. T he faculty, meanwhile, had been greatly enlarged, new departments had been added, and the science hall, library annex, and Menls and Women's Faculty build- ings were soon a.cquired. With the presidency of Rowland Haynes, who succeeded the late Dr. William E. Sealock in 1933, agitation for an entirely new plant reached its climax, and construction of a new series of buildings became fact. Thus the old university, as it is known to those of us who are about to leave it, was conceived and developed through the labors of that first president and board of trustees and their successors. While their vision has not yet been fully realized, the near future will undoubtedly bring attainments beyond their dreams. TOMAHAWK 1 38

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l51anN,xR, Biunsimw, CLARK. jruorsiarzkfzitx, lwlixjoks lW.fXR'l'lN, Ml'RR,xx', SKINNER, STRYKIQR BOARD OF REGENTS Frank T. B. Martin... . ....,... . .,.. . .....,,.. . .. , . .,..,. ,,r...,Chairman Hird Stryker .......,,, ..,..,.r V 'ice-Chairman Dr. Floyd J. Murray ...V. .,.,.. Secretary W. Dale Clark., , .r4.,. ... ...,. ....,. . . ,. .. ..,,.. ....., . ,Treasurer Term Expiring july 1, 1938 ' Term Expiring July l, 1940 Colonel George A. Skinner Ije Emmett Bmdshaxw A. D. Majors W. Dale Clark H. A. Jacobberger Term Expiring july 1, 1939 Term Expiring July 1, 1941 Hird Stryker Mrs. james E. Bednar Frank T. B. Martin Dr. Floyd J. Murray TGMAI-IAWK ff '38