University of Oregon - Oregana Yearbook (Eugene, OR)

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Hon. T. J. Hendricks and Hon. B. F. Dorris, are still with us, and to them should be accorded all honor for their tireless efforts in what often looked like a hopeless struggle. For four years the people worked, solicited, prayed, and finally, in the fall of 75, the University opened in the few completed rooms of Deady Hall. lTwas a motley crowd that first presented itself at the portals of Oregonis University, ranging in age anywhere from ten to twenty-three years. The Faculty consisted of President Johnson, Professors Condon and Bailey, Mrs. Spiller, and her sister, Miss Boise. None of them are now living. In the Fall 0f 78, the writer became a member of the teaching staff. The hrst class of live was graduated in 78. What has always been the attitude of the University to- ward its students? That the most valuable assets Of the state are not its mines, its farms, its forests, but its sons and daugh- ters, the future citizens of the State, and that these are entitled to the best that the state can afford in every line of endeavor, and to the best preparation for life,s struggle. The best efforts of the instructors have been for them. No student is permitted to lose his personality in the crowd. Personal over- sight and care of each student are exercised, but not to the extent of interfering with the development of self-reliance or the feeling of personal responsibility for his actions. N0 student body could be more loyal and ready to co- operate with the Faculty for the good of the University than ours always has been. Its alumni, wherever found, are a credit to their Alma Mater, their State, and themselves. The Uni- versity has nothing to be ashamed of. With its limited re- sources, it has gone forward, sometimes slowly, but steadily, building permanently, having faith in the people of Oregon and feeling assured that when once the good citizens of this grand Commonwealth understood the loyalty of both Faculty and students to their State and to the high ideals of what a University should be, they would rally to her support. The writer has no apologies to make for the University. Neither has he any fears as to the final results. In his thirty- four years here as an instructor, tand they have been happy years in association with his llBoys and Girlsy, he has seen many storms arise and dangers threaten, but after the storm, llOld Varsityl, stood there as she always has stood and aIWays Will stand, unmoved, With a silent dignity, an honor to her founders, a reproach to her would-be detractors. -John Straub. nnnuunn .. n . . -ll

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the hearts and minds of those fearless pioneers who crossled the plains with ox-teams, braving the dan- gers of the journey in order to found an empire 0n the Jwestern slope of the American Continent. Undaunted by their isolation and limitations, desirous of securing for their children suitable educational facilities, they founded in the Willamette Valley those splendid missionary colleges that made possible later Oiregon,s highest educational institu- tion-the University of Oregon. The writer desires to acknowledge the debt which the State owes to llOld Wil- lamette, and to nPacific University, and to IiAlbany Col- legeh and the other denominational colleges of the State and t0 the noble men and women who at so much self-sacrifice taught in them. But they were denominational colleges, and sectarian interests or division prevented them each from getting that mutual support that was necessary to build up a great insti- tution that could take rank with similar institutions in the east. Gradually there arose a demand for an institution that could call to its support all the citizens of the State, regardless of religious or political affiliations. Accordingly, about forty years ago, the Legislature of Oregon, following the example set by older states, determined to establish a State University, and agreed to locate the insti- tution at Eugene, provided the city donated a plant to cost not less than fifty thousand dollars. Eugene, though at that time containing only a thousand inhabitants, accepted the offer undaunted, and its citizens enthusiastically began the work of collecting the necessary sum. Men of small means repeatedly gave more than they could afford, laborers offered their labor, farmers brought in their stock, and it was sold to pay for the material in Deady Hall. The story of the hardships and the self-deprivation of the people of those days for their University is a pathetic one, full of inspiration. We who are now reaping the benefits should not be per- mitted or desire to forget them and they are mentioned here iilest we forget? But few of the actors are left. Judges Walton and Thompson, W. J. J. Scott, A. W. Patterson and others have passed on, having done their work well. Tw0+ quEGONiS educational institutions were conceived in

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ODregana Enarh KARL W. ONTHANK ANDREW M. COLLIER, Ayanriatra ELIZABETH LEWIS - - Organizations . FEN WAITE - - Athletics LLOYD BARZEE - - Features LUCILE ABRAMS - Art NELL HEMENWAY - ' Fraternities JAMES F. ALEXANDER - - Law School EDWARD A. NOYES - School ofMea'z'cine EDWARD BAILEY - Administration CARLTON SPENCER - - Forensics C. F. HOGAN - - Senior Law JOHN SCHROEDER - Faculty Law KARL MARTZLOFF - Assistant Manager REYMUND EARLY - Assistant Manager Art g?taff HARRY VEIRICK HOMER WHEELON OSCAR HAUGEN ARCH VAN CLEVE THORNTON HOWARD