University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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The 1900’s: A New Era Observatory The early 1900’s brought with them the hope of a new century ... an expanded campus ... in 1902 President Fellows succeeded President Harris. The Cadet became the Maine Campus ... and in 1904 the new library Carnegie Hall was built. The appointment of the first dean “systemized the work of registration and ad- ministration.” . . . The summer session was re- vived. The Mount Vernon House built in 1833 was extended in 1898 as the first dormitory for women students. It was located at the site of the present Sigma Chi House. The Phi Gam- ma Delta House shown here in 1899 has since burned and been replaced. The first fraternity on campus the Q.V.T. withdrew from its nation- al affiliations and became part of Phi Gam. The observatory, another revelation in the cam- pus scene, was built in 1900. This view of campus in the early twentieth cent- ury showing Oak Hall, Wingate Hall, the home of the President, Coburn Hall, Alumni Hall and Holmes Hall is taken from the site on which Boardman stands today. The students of the times could not know how dif- ferent this picture would look with the addition of the Fogler Library and a beautiful mall. 6

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Military training was a part of the regular system of instruc- tion from the beginning of the college. The Spanish-American War raised the patriotic spirit of the students to a high pitch. “It was generally conceded that thorough training in chem- istry should be a prominent fea- ture of the college. And Closeness In Its Founders These rugged athletes of the University of Maine football team in 1896 are evidence that all was not only studies in the new college. 5

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This was actually quite a logical way to meet one of Maine’s perpetual problems: too much snow! Why not pack it down and ski to class? The President's house was constructed in 1873. Ex- tensive fire damage in 1893 made many renovations nec- essary, and the porch and tower were added at this time. But Something looks Familiar cl aiptu Omitron Pi ■Ulf The Greeks found their place at Maine in 1900. Alpha Omicron Pi, Gamma chapter, was the first sorority on campus, established in 1908. The Kappa Sigma House, built in 1895, was the first fraternity house erected at the University. The University financed the construction of the house and made an agreement by which Kappa Sig was allowed to purchase the building later. i 7