University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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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

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Ab v. Th«k»«y StfMl dumf lh« thiriiM Hahii !«• »w ii wfc « ih« ton , lb» p ?vlo bo lex today'• Of ..It gat l»» •x mo» I ho wot on a popvlai amvtomoal po k dv ing Iho fOOfxtg rwowtiot. . Oomot. rtdot. ond fvnhoutot —Mwf twod Iho yowth o( yottwyoof which they did by 1875. One of the most valuable assets was a collection of geological specimens donated by Reverend Joseph Travelli. The collection consisted of over four thousand mineral specimens, all of which moved to Oakland in 1908. Until the beginning of the year 1890 the Western University of Pennsylvania consisted of the college and the Preparatory School. Two district faculties taught, with boys twelve or older eligible to enroll in the Prep school to prepare for college level courses. Faculty meetings were held weekly. Topics for discussion varied widely, as they do now. In 1872, the School of Law was opened and has built a reputation nationally. The dedication of the new structure and facilities on the Oakland campus this year should enable that reputation to grow even greater in the future. Forty-four students enrolled in the first class of the Pittsburgh College of Pharmacy in 1878. Meeting in the chemical lecture room of the old University, Dr. Henry Stevens, Dr. W.C. Reiter and F.C. Phillips taught the first lessons. Growing weary of the congested, dirty city, the trustees were more than anxious to sell the downtown property to the Allegheny County Commissioners after the county courthouse burnt to the ground in 1882. Sold for $80,000, the building was stripped of furnishings and equipment, which were moved across the river to a site on North Avenue in Allegheny City (now Pittsburgh's North Side). It was here that the famous Pitt yell Allegenee-e-e-e'' originated. Dr. McCracken, serving as chancellor began the move. His transfer to become President of New York University opened the door for Milton P. Goff to complete construction of the Northside campus. Once completed, new and broader ideas were adopted, with the establishment of full courses in chemistry and engineering conducted in large laboratories. The Preparatory School was discontinued. The sudden death of Goff advanced Dr. William J. Holland to the chancellorship in 1892. This term was to mark the third great achievement of the University. Holland brought it to this milestone by establishing graduate studies. The Engineering School was enlarged to include instruction in mining and electricity. In 1892, the Western Pennsylvania Medical College was merged with the University. The founding of the Dental Department in 1896 found the institution with seven distinct departments. Holland also handled a student uprising of major proportions. After some vandalism during Dr. Holland's absence, the dean suspended the entire junior class and the other three classes walked out in sympathy. 17