University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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° ° Ooki o »vnd 1901 Jh, ‘«m.l.o. (i«U n and iatan M«U P.IHW|k A.HW.k A. CorA« w MvMum con bo toon to iho loft bv.W.n,t wbnh now kto Wth A otKodcol end Iho Ovotfl won learn practical lessons such as Indian sign language, fencing, fighting, and of course, English and mathematics. The curriculum was well adapted to the area's needs. For example, when construction was under way in the city, mathematics advanced to straight engineering proportions. There were no books. By 1790, the Academy had expanded enough to warrant larger quarters. A brick structure was constructed near the original cabin, using interest from a $5000 direct grant from the state legislature, as payment for the two-story building. The cabin continued to serve as the schoolmaster's home. In the ensueing years, two very distinguished professors replaced Welch. They were James Mount and Robert Patterson. Their joint efforts ensured the continued growth of the young institution. In 1805 Joseph Stockton was named principal and a company of men petitioned the legislature for a charter, which would give the school full university powers. It was also specified that neither race nor creed should warrant dis- crimination and instructors should have both the ability and a high moral standing. On February 19, 1819 the Academy became the Western University of Pennsylvania. At the same time, the state legislature granted the new University fifty acres of land in Allegheny as an incentive to learning. This was later commuted to $2400 annually for five years. A new structure and an exceptional faculty were now possible. Dr. Bruce was named the first president and served from 1822 until 1843. Reverend Herman Dyer, his successor, experienced difficulties whenever the sole University building was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1845. Struggling to keep the University alive, a new structure was completed in 1846, only to meet the same fate in 1849. It wasn't until 1854 that a new building was raised at Ross and Diamond Streets, and under the leadership of Dr. John F. McLaren enrollment grew steadily. There were twelve classrooms on the first and second floors, with a chapel on the third. Settees were the only furnishings. Beginning with a 14

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Pitt at Diamond and Rots. . .1870 The Pitt student graduating in 1870 wouldn't recognize today's campus or policies. In 1870, all teaching was done by recitations, and few, if any, classes were taught by lecture. Classes were held only in the morning. Examinations were held quarterly, with the rules requiring that a professor not test his own class. A professor of Greek might be found testing chemistry students. The Chancellor of the University by authority of the Board of Trustees had full control over what was taught and how it was taught. Chapel exercises were held each Wednesday morning and were followed by a lecture given by a prominent citizen of the community or an outstanding student. Subjects always concerned ideals befitting a young American. Co-educational activities had not been thought of in 1870. Student activities were few. Two literary societies, the Philomatheau and the Irving were popular. Whenever the University moved to the North Side location, a third one, the Franklin was formed. A forerunner of today's honorary societies, students had to have high academic standing for membership. The student members of these societies published The College Journal , a collection of prose and poetry. bequest from Robert Watson, a library collection grew. By 1870, there were three courses open to students: the Classical (four years); the Scientific (three years) and Engineering (four years). The University faculty in 1875 included ten members and there were no assistants or instructors before 1881. Many distinguished scholars came to the new University as its first faculty. Samuel P. Langley was Professor of Astronomy and Director of the Obser- vatory. Wealthy businessmen pooled a fund which enabled Langley to become the first faculty member with no teaching duties. Using the superior instruments of the facility, he was to devote his entire time to astronomical research. Langley developed a reputation as a recluse among those who knew him but slightly. To those who knew him well, he embodied all the qualities of an excellent faculty member. He was kind, sympathetic, full of interest in literature but burdened with an intense desire for results which should develop new truths in his strenuous labors. From Pittsburgh, Langley moved to Washington to accept the post of Director of the Smithsonian Institute. John W. Langley, professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology is responsible for introducing the first laboratory courses at the school. Donations from Thomas Hind and John Harper enabled the school to purchase the latest equipment. A gymnasium was erected in April of 1863. In 1871, William Thaw promised a million dollars to the University if the people of Western Pennsylvania would match it, Tha UWr of »ho Sahonloy Motol orovnd 1900. now tha fin Stvd nt Union. At I So tvm i tho aantvry, it wot tho ftttobvrgh of many of Amanca'i f»wil non o tS» imn. t'oga and ■ft'1' wortd loft: Tha S.U. lodtotm. tSa night of Jon«an 9. 1901. A ovnd tha tobl. Hl 9 offiooh .1 Coma , compoafoa. alt t»wii Ovait af Sana, And,ow Comogio wot datomod in Now Took, bvl ta my boyo ha tan g.ao'otgi pro dating tha ■ftma'a fvtvra la ta aat aa ita poal. 16