University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

Page 8 text:

m - TMF MAIN BUILDING Besun in 1882 on rocky, cactus-covered Capitol Hill by a young state experimenting in higher education, old Main Building celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in far different surroundings: no longer was it the building on the hill but was almost lost among large, handsome new structures surrounded by formally terraced lawns. What had been more than sufficient a half-century before was clearly inadequate now — just as the rugged frontiersmen had given way to the builders, so was the passage of the old building inevitable. Some said the Main Building was an institution and could not be removed; others said it was antiquated and should be condemned. And the latter prevailed, and the wrecking crews came in the summer of 1934, and brick by brick the old structure came tumbling down. But the conquering spirit of Old Main, which had made The University of lexas one of the outstanding universities of the nation, will be recaptured in a new and lofty tower, ciimbing to heights the aged one never dreamed of. There will be those who will say that the new can never replace the old because of the traditions and memories connected with the latter, but education consists of replacing the obsolete with the modern, of making changes when these will benefit the people. The busy steam-shovel sings merrily as it prepares the foundation for the new Administration- Library Building to be erected where the Main Building had stood. Already there are new students who never saw the old building,- the faint outline of the gray tower constantly grows dimmer to those who were accustomed to pass in its shadow daily — for time is fleeting and memory fails. The 1935 Cactus pauses to pay a lasting tribute to the first exemplification of the faith of the people of Texas in the worth of a state university of the first class. It is the earnest hope of the editors that the prestige of The University of Texas may continue to advance in proportion to the in- creased facilities — if so, the spirit of the old Main Building will be maintained, for the diffusion of knowledge was its only aim and its approval rests upon whatever is best . equipped to fulfill that desire.

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' frr i«riirMHiiiiiiiiiiiiiii this volume is dedicated to Victor Ivan Moore DEAN OF STUDENT LIFE, DEAN OF MEN Admired and respected for his efficient handling of problems involving student life, loved for his ever-available personal advice, devoted whole-heartedly to the welfare of the students as a group and individually, Dean Moore ' s influence is not forgotten when the students pass beyond his official jurisdiction but remains as a clear beacon for gentlemanly conduct throughout the years to come.