University of Rhode Island - Renaissance / Grist Yearbook (Kingston, RI)

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OUTHFUL Rhode Island State College grew enormously in its first decade under the new status. At the end of two years the faculty was doubled. In 1894, the first drill was held for cadets. Soon, in response to the need for winter drilling quarters, additional classrooms, and a library, an appropriation was deemed necessary. The next year was a critical and progressive one, historically, for although College Hall, the only men’s dormitory at the time, was destroyed by fire, the first provision for boarding women students was arranged by the remodelling of Watson House. Many other noteworthy incidents occurred in these ten years during which the college was served wisely and well by its first presi- dent, Mr. John H. Washburn. In 1897, Volume I of the Grist was published, and Lippitt Hall was built. It was in this year that the organization of the poultry course took place, the first of its kind in American agricultural colleges. In 1898, a preparatory school was established under the direction of Marshall H. Tyler, for young people who were unable to attend college because they did not have access to a high school course or other proper means of preparation. In 1902, Dr. Washburn resigned his office as President of the college. In several months he was replaced by Mr. Kenyon L. Butterfield, who directed the affairs of Rhode Island for over three years. In 1904, the first Student Council was organized and member- ship in Phi Beta Kappa was restricted to “those who have not received less than four A’s in any one term record.” In 1906, at the Pres. Kenyon L. Butterfield 1902-1906 I 11 0 2 19 12 Davis Hall Afire 1895 12

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Taft Laboratory 1895 Watson House 1942 by Mr. Charles O. Flagg, held its first meet- ing in an old corn crib which was located near Watson House. The first building construction did not take place, however, until 1890, when Taft Laboratory was com- pleted. The first public acknowledgment that a college was in the making was made by fifty people who attended the laying of the cornerstone for this building. The same year money was appropriated to provide proper housing for the school, and College Hall and South Hall were erected. All was finally in readiness for the first class to enter the institution in September 1890. Thirty- three stalwart students gained admission by meeting the requirements which “embraced the ordinary English branches, arithmetic through square and cube root, geography, reading, spelling, and elementary knowledge of United States history”. The members of the first class paid three dollars a week for their board, and room rent was five dollars per annum respectively. With the year 1892, we arrive at a mile- stone in the history of the institution. It was at dawn one day that year when, with the help of several undergraduates, “Old Ben Butler” roared his last mighty roar to boom forth the news that Rhode Island had pro- gressed from a school to a college with a schedule for two four-year courses, one in agriculture and one in mechanics. There were eleven departments of instruction, and 136 courses of instruction offered within two years after the founding of the college. 11

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fisir W Taft Laboratory 1942 Davis Hall 1942 same time that Dr. Howard Edwards took over the presidency, the preparatory school was abolished because after eight years of its existence, it seemed to be crowding out the regular college work. The ascension of Dr. Edwards to the president’s chair marked the beginning of another era of progress at Rhode Island College. In 1907, four degrees were obtain- able for the first time, in agriculture, engi- neering, home economics, and applied science. In this year, the first Beacon was published, the first “Soph Hop” was held, and the “Hobo Club — to promote grace in walking and prevent Sunday studying” was organized. Great organization took place among the students in this period. In 1905, the Young Men’s and Women’s Christian Associations were prominent undergraduate organizations. In 1908, the first fraternity, Rho Iota Kappa, was organized, and in 1909 the first girl’s basketball team was started. 1910 saw the establishment of the Honor System and the introduction of Freshman Rules. Rhode Island’s athletic relations with Brown also date from this year. In 1908, the system of the division of the school year into two semesters instead of three terms, was first arranged. The social calendar at this time included such functions as the Military Ball, musicales, informal hops, and an annual informal reception given to the Freshman by the Junior class. It was decided that new buildings were needed due to the over- crowded conditions that had begun to appear in classrooms and dormitories, for the attendance had increased to 170. 13