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

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(m {y s January, 1892, Doctor Widney, oiu- of the fouuiiers, was elected President of the Univer- sity. During his administration there was a decided reorganization of the educational system with the incorporation of the College of Liberal Arts as a separate department. Doctor Widney resigned in 1895, after serving fifteen years consecutively in al- most every position of responsibility in the educa- tional s stem. His successor, the Reverend George W. Vhite, brought about extension and expansion of the University in administration, collegiate and inter-collegiate activities, and improved the finan- cial status. Dr. White tendered his resignation as President in 1899. For four years — 1899-1903 — the University was directly imder the administration of the Hoard of Trustees. George Finlcy Hovard, as the president of the Board of Trustees, was the head administra- tor. In 1904 he was elected president of the Uni- versity, and continued in office until 1922. During his administration many problems confronted the I niversity; much credit and well-deserved praise tor what has been accomplished must be laid at the teet of (Jeorgc l- ' inley Ho ard. The construction of the Women ' s Athletic Huilding, the present admin- istration building, additions to what is now Old Col- lege, the Science Hall, and the basketball pavilion, took place under his leadership. As contrasted with six schools and colleges in 1903, President Hovard turned over to his successor eight separate schools and colleges, all on a sound financial basis. One of the great aims of Dr. Bovard was the advancement of the academic prestige of the University, and the requirements for entrance were raised, as were the scholastic requirements of the matriculating stud- ents. The World War took its toll in work and men, but peace brought growth in all departments. In 1921, Doctor Bo ard suffered a severe break in health, and was ordered to rest for six months. An administration committee was formed, composed of Lester B. Rogers, dean of the School of Education, J. H. Montgomery, Registrar, and Warren B. Bo- vard, Comptroller. Doctor Bovard asked then that a new president be found. His retirement was in- itiated by himself. In appreciation for his great work, he was elected President-Emeritus. Thus, Dr. Bovard went out of office. As it was during his administration that the name Trojan was first applied to the University of Southern California, it is fitting that Dr. Bovard be the first to wear the name of President-Emeritus of the Trojans. the Southland ' s Own. Here ends the account of the conception and inauguration of the University of Southern Califor- nia on a sound and plausible basis. The vista of these past years shows the sturdy character of the founders of this institution, the unfailing devotion to their task, and the increasing momentum of the pace to maturity. Athena Hail, 1900 Tjik Class ok ' S9 [ 19]

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real estate inflation broke and the matter was a failure; one more charged to the financial depression of this era. The first institution established under the old university system, aside from the College of Lib- eral Arts, was the Chaffey College of Agriculture of the University of Southern California, at On- tario, California. On March 17, 1883, a large com- pany left Los Angeles for Ontario to participate in the laying of the cornerstone out in a barren, desert waste, where they had to frighten away the jack rabbits in order to find the stakes in the sagebrush that marked the campus site. It was found after two years that it was impractical to continue the agricultural phase, and it was decided to reorganize the instruction in order to place it on truly academic basis. With a reorganization it was provided that the President of the University of Southern Cali- fornia should be the President de facto of Chaf- fev College. As a Christian educational center the University established the Maclay College of Theol- ogy. After a period of activity, there was a period of financial embarrassment that demanded a suspen- sion of operation. The College of Theology was re- opened in 1907. Tile College of Medicine was the second de- partment to be established under the old university system. The movement was formally inaugurated in 1885, five years after the founding of the Uni- versity. In the month of September, 1884, the Board of Directors of the Lhiiversity passed a reso- lution that authorized the establishment of the Col- lege of Medicine. The inauguration ceremonies were held on the evening of October 14, 1885, in Nadeau, in Los Angeles. Believing that practical experience was of as great benefit as theoretical knowledge, the College from the beginning provided ample clinical advantages. The Medical School began its work with an enroll- ment of twelve students and a faculty of physicians well known in their profession throughout South- ern California. Students were required to be grad- uates of some University, College, High School, Academy, or Normal School before being allowed to matriculate or register in the Department of Medicine. In the session beginning in the fall of 1890, the requirements in the amount of work re- quired for graduation were increased. Ten years after the establishment of the College of Medicine plans were made for the erection of a building for its exclusive use. This building, named Founder ' s Building, was a three-story frame building con- structed on plain architectural lines. Dr. J. P. Widney was elected the first Dean of the Medical College. The College of Physicians and Surgeons was founded in 1904. Later on it was found advis- able to discontinue the Department of Medicine entirely during the World War. It was re-estab- lished in the fall of 1928. Chaffee College Academy lii ii.din CIS]

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T hc Modem Era ' he inauguration of Dr. Rufus Bernhard von KleinSmid as the President of the University of Southern Cah ' fornia marks the beginning of the present era. Growth and expansion have continued unabated, and many schools and colleges have been established. Today the fame of the Southern Cali- fornia Trojans is wide-spread ; the University has become the dynamic center of a dynamic com- munity. The College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences is the nucleus of the campus life and activity. Radially from the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences spread other colleges — Music, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Commerce and Business Administration, and Engineering, and several schools — Law, Speech, Architecture, Education, Social Welfare, Religion, and Citizenship and Public Administration. Be- cause of Dr. von KleinSmid ' s intense interest in International Relations, the Los Angeles Univer- sity of International Relations was founded. The extension of the university program has been ampli- fied to include three summer sessions, the Commun- ity Service division, and a Radio department. Be- cause Southern California believes in scholarship applied to the problems and activities of life, it has remained a metropolitan university rather than ac- cept the proposals that have been made to move the campus to more spacious grounds. Its situation in the heart of a city has brought to the university the responsibility for supplying the cultural needs of the people of the community. The achievements of Southern California in the world of sports have been remarkable. Trojan ath- letes held national records for the hundred yard and two hundred and twenty yard dashes, in the high and low hurdles, javelin, discus, shotput, and world record in the pole vault, discus, and sprint relavs. Its football teams have won their wav to the top of the national ratings. Nevertheless, the real goal should not be overlooked in considering these feats. Athletics are encouraged because the Univer- sity believes in the great physical and mental benefit of physical development. Scholarship is watched and guided from the time that the student enters the University until he leaves for the last time. The faculty acts as an advisory body in helping students to select their vocations. The incoming student is required to pass a psychological examination that aids in placing him according to his ability. The University of South- ern California has been granted chapters in the two foremost honorary scholastic fraternities of the coun- try, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. Graduates of this institution have received hon- ors in all walks of life. Numbered among the not- able alumni are a star of the Chicago Grand Opera, the only woman Assistant United States Attorney General at Washington, an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, two Justices of the Dis- trict Court of Appeals of the State, seven municipal court judges in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Coun- ty District Attorney, and a member of the United States Court at Shanghai. Trojan alumni clubs show on their member- ship rolls men and women prominent in business, politics, the professions and the arts. Bridck Hai I. A CoRNtR OF Old C nl.l.lci [20]