University of Cincinnati - Cincinnatian Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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The Progress of the University THE histor} ' of the University of Cincinnati is the history of an institution which has achieved unusually rapid and extensive progress. Growing out of the generous and social-spirited dream of Charles McMicken, and attracting unto itself some of the pioneer educational centers of the com- munity, it has increased in size, accomplishment, and influence, until it now enjoys the fame of the greatest municipal university of the world. Other cities are emulating Cincinnati ' s achievement but have not as yet equalled or surpassed it. It is significant that the only state whose code expressly permits cities to establish municipal universities and levy a special tax for the purpose is Ohio. The University of Cincinnati was immediately incorporated upon the passage, by the General Assembly of the state in 1870, of the act enabling cities to aid and promote education. An interesting, if less idealistic phase of such legis- lation, is the authorization by the state legislature, in 1807, of a lottery to endow an educational institution. Some tickets were sold, but the lottery did not materialize. Seven years after this unsuccessful effort, in 1814, a small group of citizens organized and established the Cincinnati-Lancaster Seminary upon the site of the present Mercantile Library Building. It was re-organized in the early thirties and the Medical and Law Schools were affiliated. The building burned in 1845 and the Law School alone survived. The Cincinnati Law School, founded in 1833, was the fourth institution of its kind in the country, those of Harvard, Yale, and the University of Virginia, alone preceding it. The will of Charles McMicken, who died in 1858, provided that the bulk of his estate, which was valued at about $1,000,000, be used to found two colleges for the education of white girls and boys. Almost one-half of the property was lost in 1860 by decision of the Supreme Court, and the remainder, insufficient for the organization of two colleges, was devoted during the next ten years to the increase of the McMicken Fund. In 1870 the University of Cincinnati was incorporated as has been mentioned, and the city issued its first University bonds in 1875. Instruction had been begun in 1874 on Franklin Street, with a small faculty of Woodward High School teachers. The first University building was that upon the site of the old McMicken homestead on Clifton Avenue. This same building has until recently been occupied by the Medical College. The next great step in the expansion of this institution was the removal to McMicken Hall in 1895, [page twenty-five]

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Interesting Facts About the University of Cincinnati Area of campus — 56 acres. Number of buildings — 13. Value of land, buildings and equipment — $1,750,000. Number of books— 121,000. Value of books— $160,000. Endowments— $880, 109. Income from endowments — $68,055. Other income — gifts, city, tuition, fees — $353,414. Departments — Graduate School, College of Liberal Arts, College of Teachers, College of Engineering, College of Medicine, College of Commerce, School of Household Arts, Evening Session. Courses — 15. Faculty — Professors, 54; Associate Professors, 27; Assistant Professors, 48 ; Instructors, 111; Lecturers, 16; Total, 256. Estimated number of students — 3,093. First graduating class — College of Medicine, 1819; Colleges of Liberal Arts and Engineering, 1877. Total number of degrees granted — 10,281. [page twenty-four]

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which is still the nucleus of the ever-increasing aggregate of splendid buildings in Burnet Woods. There is a considerable list of public-spirited men and women who have greatly facilitated the broadening of the University by their generous gifts. Our buildings bear several of their names. Hanna Hall, the gift of Henry Hanna, was added in 1896. Briggs Cunningham made its twin building pos- sible in 1900. Van Wormer Library was erected the following year. Despite the great internal growth of the University no buildings were added during the next ten years. The Engineering Building was completed in 1911, closely followed by the Gymnasium and the Power Plant. A bond issue was soon authorized which made possible the erection of the Stadium on Carson Field. The Chemistry Building, and the new Medical College near the City Hospital have but recently been occupied. The very latest addition is the beautifully equipped Woman ' s Building affording a gymnasium, swimming pool, and various rooms for college activities, as well as housing the Household Arts Department. Dormitories, made necessary by the great influx of out-of-town students, are next to be realized. The very recent bequest of the Baldwin estate, valued between six and seven hundred thousands of dollars, gives another opportunity for extension. ■ This splendid material growth has been accompanied, or rather preceded, by a corresponding growth in the size of the student body which now numbers over three thousand, an increase of more than four hundred per cent in the last twelve years. The University of Cincinnati has succeeded in its unceasing endeavor to serve the interests of its community, and to vitalize education by co-operation with the great centers of activity under the city control. Its development has ever been along the lines of efficiency, co-operation, and service toward the attainment of a fuller and broader life. [page twenty-six]