University of Southern California - El Rodeo Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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THE COLLEGES LIBERAL ARTS. The College of Liberal Arts is composed of nineteen dis- tinct departments. The undergraduate curriculum is variously designed to meet the demands for both cultural and vocational education as well as to afford preparation for the profession. For those desiring a cultural education the curricula furnish a liberal choice of humanistic studies and provide for the pursuit of studies in history, philosophy, ancient and modern languages, literature and economics. Through the elective system also it is possible for students to arrange their courses according to individual needs, thus fitting themselves for work immediately after leaving college, as well as for specializing with a view to further professional study. Especially in the departments of Science and Engineering can the student prepare himself for immediate work. In the latter department much practical work is being done, while in the Science departments abundant oppor- tunity for research along utilitarian and industrial lines is offered. The Graduate Department, lately reorganized, and also greatly stimulated by the recent privilege of recommending High School Teachers’ Certificates, will next year offer graduate work in practically all the departments, and many city and county teachers are now taking advantage of special courses. The college has the double advantage of being located in one of the most pleasant of the residence districts, and yet being but a comparatively short distance from the center of the city, thus affording valuable opportunity for students to supple- ment their special work by attending the many lectures, concerts and conventions of which Los Angeles has always such great share. PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. The University of Southern California, in keeping pace with other of the leading universities of the country, was quick to note the advancements being so rapidly made in medical science, and, in establishing and building up the various uni- versity departments, wTas one of the first institutions in the West to broaden the scope of the curriculum in its medical department. In 1885, when the medical department of this university was founded, the Trustees placed themselves on record for higher med- ical education, declaring for a three-year course, which was the exception at that time, and since then has been among the first in the rank of universities to lift its medical department up to the highest plane of efficiency. Money has been liberally spent and no pains have been spared to equip the medical laboratories, broaden and perfect the clinical departments, and to place them in charge of experienced and capable teachers and instructors. The Alumni of the medical department of this University include many of the leading physicians and surgeons of this country— trained, skilled men and women in their chosen profession, and an honor to the institution that prepared and equipped them. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Los Angeles, an insti- tution of high class, became an integral part of the University of Southern California one year ago, thus becoming its medical department, its faculty believing that better work could be done under the auspices of a strong university, where the university spirit might be inculcated into the various branches of its medical course. The wisdom of this union was apparent and is mani- fested by the superior work now being done in all departments of the medical curriculum. The government of the College of Physicians and Surgeons is vested in the Board of Trustees of the University and in the Judicial Council and Senior Faculty of the Medical Department, as provided in the articles of incorporation of the University. COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY. In the year 1897, just thirteen years ago, the College of Dentistry began its existence under the able leadership of Dr. Edgar Palmer, as dean. The fruits of Dr. Palmer’s labor are now being realized to the gratification of his co-workers and the satisfaction of his successors. With a small gathering in a room on Temple street and with few accessories they struggled along. But the reward for faithfulness was not far off, for our College has steadily grown in reputation and in strength until it is excelled by none in the West. Dr. Garrett Newkirk succeeded as dean in 1901 and held that position for four years, when he resigned to accept a posi- tion on the California State Board of Dental Examiners. It was due to Dr. Newkirk’s efforts that the College was changed from a stock company to an integral part of the University of Southern California. In doing this Dr. Newkirk rendered a service to the students of dentistry for whicn it will be impossible to ever repay him. 20

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“Hey, fellows, d’you know anything about traditions around here?” Then follows a chorus of various answers: “Nothin doin;” “See the dean;” “Never saw any;” “Too busy;” “Well—yes, we have our annual smokers, if that’s what you want;” “Sure smokers.” Without waiting any longer we jot down ‘ ‘ smokers ’ ’ and escape, and as we walk towards the car line we comfort ourselves by repeating these lines: “Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act—act in the living Present.” And we wonder if the author ever heard of College Traditions. Now we come out to the Colleges of Pharmacy, Oratory, Music and Liberal Arts. Pharmacy, Oratory and Music partici- pate in the affairs of Liberal Arts to a greater extent than do the other colleges and for this reason have few traditions of their own. Music and Oratory give commencement recitals and the graduates of the oratory department are entertained each year by the faculty at the “ Kopper-Kettle. ” It is in the College of Liberal Arts that the greatest number of university customs and traditions are harbored. The som- brero, as in the majority of colleges, is sacred to the seniors. Likewise only juniors and seniors are allowed to wear cor- duroys. Any violation of this rule is very likely to afford the offender a thorough sousing in the duck-pond, and this duck- pond. being covered most of the time with a disagreeable green slime, is not the ideal place for a morning dip. It is seldom necessary to subject a student to this treatment, and as a result the disgrace is doubly severe for the unfortunate one. The Freshman Class are supposed to choose caps, and the Sopho- mores and Juniors have class hats. During the first week of school a freshman-sophomore rush takes place, in which the sophs attempt to give the entering freshmen a good drubbing, but they more often get it them- selves. Early in the fall there is a freshman-sophomore football game, and just before the close of the year the Faculty and Seniors fight out their four-years’ grievances in one grand base- ball game. Of course, there are other class games, but these are mentioned because they are of particular interest and regularly take place every year. It has come to be a custom that a big bonfire jollification shall be held just before the Occidental football game, and that Miss Wlright shall recite the “Bear Story” the Monday after the game. Also Dean Skeele and Professor Knoles are sched- uled to produce their hair-raising ghost fight at the last jolly-up before the Pomona game. The “Hodge Hall cowbells,” as they are called, have come to be looked upon as a very necessary, noisy part of all our jolly-ups and athletic contests. Many especially interesting customs hover about commence- ment time. On Class-Day the Seniors always present the school with a last token of their affection and plant their sprig of •ivy by the side of the building. They also give into the keeping of the Junior Class the old mystery bag, the contents of which are unknowm, the spade with which to plant the ivy, and the pipe of peace. The night before commencement the Phi Alpha fraternity have their annual serenade and every frat brother from Professor Knoles to the newest member is quite likely to turn out and do his share toward making the night a melod- ious one for their friends and relatives. All these various customs and traditions form a large part of our student activities, and the entering Freshman is soon taught by proclamation and hearsay to respect and love them. It is such memories as these that in later years turn the thoughts of men and women to their Alma Mater, and make them live again the old care-free days. L. C. S., ’ll.

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Since Dr. Newkirk’s resignation Dr. Lewis E. Ford has been at the head of the institution. Under Dr. Ford’s careful supervision the College has made wonderful strides toward attaining the highest ideals coveted by the best colleges of the profession. Not in America alone has our reputation grown, but in our thirteen years of existence it has extended to coun- tries beyond the seas. From the little room on Temple street the College has developed until in 1905 it became necessary to erect a building which could accommodate our needs. But notwithstanding the foresight of the College authorities at that time it has again become necessary to obtain larger quarters. If the plans of Dr. Ford and the members of the faculty do not miscarry by this time next year the College of Dentistry will occupy one of the most up-to-date structures ever erected by any dental college in the world. COLLEGE OF LAW. The Law School of the University of Southern California is a descendant of the old Los Angeles Law School, whose enrollment included about thirty students at the time of its affiliation with the University in 1901. Three years later it became an integral part of the University of Southern California and today the Lawr School has an enrollment of 401, a library of 3,000 volumes, and ranks seventh among the law schools of the United States. The rapid growth of the last few years has been largely due to the efforts of Dean Porter and of Secretary Craig, the latter having recently resigned his position in the Law School in order to take up the duties of Superior Judge for Los Angeles County. The purpose of the College is not only to imuart the principles and history of law, but also to train and discipline the student in the use of the material by efficient practice. The method of instruction is a combination of the lecture, text- book and ease systems, with practical courses in briefing and the use of books. In addition to the regular course of study, the Law School maintains various debating clubs, and each year a general try- out debate is held for the purpose of selecting the First Debating Team to represent the College of Law in debates with other institutions. This year the team has defeated the George Washington Law School team, and in the debate with Cornell made a most creditable defense. The Law School at present has a challenge out for a debate with any college in the West. In athletics, those students who have junior and senior standing are eligible to take part in all inter collegiate events in which the University participates. In addition the Law School maintains separate football, basket ball and baseball teams, having this year defeated the Berkeley second team in football, and having made a close score with the Stanford base- ball team. THE COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY. The Maclay College of Theology was founded about twenty years ago by State Senator Charles Maclay. In the year 1893, owing to the stringency of the times, work in the College of Theology was suspended until 1907. At that time, at the urgent request of the Southern California Annual Conference, work was again resumed. The first dean of the Maclay College of Theology was Rev. R. W. C. Farnsworth, who was succeeded by Rev. R. S. Maclay, D.D., Rev. Geo. Cochran, D.D., and Rev. Ezra A. Healy, D.D., the present Dean. During the past three years, under the able and scholarly administration of Dean Healy, Maclay College has steadily grown in numbers, efficiency and influence. Maclay College of Theology, as well as the University of Southern California, exists under the patronage of the Southern California Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The importance of Maclay College in its relation to the University and Methodism at large was clearly recognized at the last session of the Annual Conference. The report of the committee on education, which was unanimously adopted, says: “We express the profound conviction that the time has come for a forward movement in behalf of Maclay. This we urge upon the Board of Trustees, already burdened by responsibility and embarrassed by success. But we urge it upon them because the output of the College of Theology means more for the future of the University than the graduates of any other one of the nine colleges. We urge it upon the Southern California Conference as the guarantee of its future greatness. It means much to have, as we now have, an institution in our territory where sixty men are preparing for the ministry of Christ. We urge this magnificent opportunity upon our far-sighted laymen who are looking for the highest class investments for the Lord’s money in their hands.” COLLEGE OF PHARMACY. The College of Pharmacy, the newest of the campus colleges, dates from 1904, when it had a total enrollment of less than a dozen students. The faculty now includes as many professors and lecturers as there were students in the first year of the life of the college, while the student body has an enrollment of 51.