University of Missouri - Savitar Yearbook (Columbia, MO)

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fore unthought-of generosity. The fire, then, was not such a great catastrophe, for it led to amazing regeneration and reforma- tion. The University as We know it today, both in physical plant and general organi- zation, actually dates from this reconstruc- tion period. Since the turn of the century the history of the University of Missouri has been largely that of every prospering middle- western state university. It is a period characterized by rapid expansion in physi- cal plant, great leaps in enrollment, the addition of other schools and colleges, the Page 21 O On the night of 'january 9, 1892, the Athe- naean literary society was privileged to hold its jirst evening meeting. The members arrived in time to find the Academic H alleand their meet- ing room-in flames. Several of the more in- trepid dashed into the building and were able to save several volumes of records, their own piano, and from the museum a great stu-fed elephant and a stujed ape. In the confusion someone stole the piano, but the stujed ape can still be seen on the second floor of Lefevre Hall. The next day only the columns and part of the walls were left as bleak reminders of the majesty of M issouri's jirst ojicial building. solidifying of state-Wide interest, and con- stant support on the part of state legis- lature. It is during this last period that the White campus assumed its present charac- ter. The School of journalism was es- tablished in I908Q the Graduate School of- ficially became a separate division in 1910, and the School of Commerce was founded in 1914. Among the most evident of general trends was that in curricula away from classical and liberal studies toward so-called practical and vocational subjects. Within

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of which was the Athenaean, an organi- zation which shaped student opinion and afforded opportunities for forensic practice until its disbandment in 1937. This was practically the only important student ac- tivity until the turn of the century. A new institution appeared about 1870, however, and finally began to challenge the suprem- Ullw -lr v T W --if- 'H i 3 X ff E E UPL E S X E 2 2 2 l . fx E W V Q 3 fg ' X E I - h . 21 Agn K . 2 In 'f f' , - 5 L. f . .-te . X . Y- -- :: j i f fu X 5 x, E L IE 5 cg E , f S P' J ' x it -l ? 4i . - -1... O Federal troops used the academic hall as a prison for four years during the Civil War. Some of the Confederates were ex-students of the University and were able to make their escape through knowledge of the interior layout of the building. acy of the literary society. This, of course, was the Greek-letter fraternity, which was at first a secret, organization. It was these sub-rosa groups which waged constant war- fare for two decades with the Barbs and first agitated the removal of Dr. Laws from the presidency. The earliest groups affiliated nationally with Phi Kappa Psi, Beta Theta Pi, and Phi Delta Theta. On the night of January 9, 1892, the old Academic Hall, which had two new wings not ten years old, went down in flames. This conflagration blighted confidence and aspirations which had taken years to en- gender-but only for a short time, for in spite of the 3lE125,000, 'loss sustained, plans were immediately and enthusiasti- cally cast for recouping the deprivation. Instead of the institution's being closed or transferred to a more prosperous commun- ity, classes continued in public edifices, and a tremendous building program was in- augurated. In three short years almost every building now standing on Francis Quadrangle was erected. The state legis- lature as well as the people of Boone County stood equal to the emergency and began making biennial appropriations of thereto- Page 20

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a g I . .gn X! N s-r i l frm? 153' 1 T 3- ' 1 fi' 5 s ing -if -Z' -L25 O Amid much agitation, women were admitted to the University in 1872. They were allowed to appear on the campus only if chaperoned, and were conducted to chapel in a double Jile preceded and followed by a female guard. The young men frequently Uganged up and muttered uncomplimentary remarks. the College of Arts social studies steadily Won adherents from the humanities. Post war and depression problems seemed to incline students primarily toward prepar- ing themselves for making a living. Under the leadership of President Rich- ard Henry Jesse C1891-19075 scholastic standards and admission requirements were raised considerably, and the old pre- paratory department was abolished. It is significant, furthermore, that Missouri was admitted at this time to the Associa- tion of American Universities and was ap- proved by the Carnegie Foundation., two tangible evidences of class A ranking. Albert Ross Hill C1907-215, Stratton Du- luth Brooks C1923-309, and Walter Wil- liams C1930-353 led the University further toward its educational goals. Today the University is celebratingits one hundredth anniversary under the lead- ership of Frederick Arnold Middlebush. Eight new buildings have been erected in the past four years, and many valuable ad-