University of Missouri - Savitar Yearbook (Columbia, MO)

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Value of education stressed at University of issouri A University means many things. To Mr. WCbStC1', the definition is Man assemblage of colleges for instruction in the higher branch of learningf, The University of Missouri fits this definition, as it is 'I J composed of fourteen schools ' ' and colleges organized into . - u p 'ti , V one University. Students may Sii A r enjoy the advantages of a if-3 . ' large campus, yet receive in- -fg - xt 11: N dividual atten'ion in small , b 'rglvb f classes taught by the faculty 1 Z !.' Q ' by EV: wi, of respective schools and col- iyl I V -, E : llll .,..z legesl N 2 V' 5 To others, a University is '12, VVfV,,. , - synonymous with education. 3. VVAAIA It means a cap and gown and V 1 N 'V a diploma, studying at the Library every night till ten, going on a geology field trip or getting a good job. Both of these versions agree that learning is contingent to a University. Some people may like to upartyn or merely ucome to school to round out myself, but they are event- ually dropped by the wayside from semester deficiencies. And, those that do meet up to the high standards of the University, remain to learn and gain and prepare themselves for a future. Thus, the true purpose of a University is to obtain an education. The University of Missouri has a long, rich and colorful history of their efforts to provide the people of the State with an education. On February 11, 1838, the General Assembly of the State of Missouri approved the Geyer Act establishing the Uni- versity of Missouri. Five commissioners were appointed to select a site for the state university. Bitter sectional fights ensued over the site, but the 1,400 people voting in .Boone County each pledged 383.57 in order that they might claim the site for the school. Thus, the University was the first state institution financed by the people of its county without any out- side aid. The following October a Board of Curators, appointed by General Assembly, met and proceeded to make plans for the drawing up of blueprints for the first University edifice. The cornerstone of Academic Hall was laid .luly 4, 1840, where it stood until Ianuary of 1892, when it was destroyed by fire. The columns of this building still stand as a mon- ument to tradition and leg- end and serve as the hub of Red Campus. By 1870, the University had a total enrollment of 99 students. By '87 the en- rollment had increased to 564 with 44 faculty mem- bers. Today the enrollment totals over 10,000. But, nothing stops the - growth of education. The University went on to new heights. Learning may also be measured in,terms of facilities and Missouri excels here. Que hundred years ago the campus consisted of four build- ings rs- today it is not confined to Columbia proper, but uses the whole state for its classrooms. The School of Mines and Metallurgy at Rolla are research centers. The University serves the state further by the Adult Education and Extension Serviceg the Army, Navy and Air Force units, and the Columbia Missourian, a daily newspaper published in cooperation with the School of- Journalism. On the campus itself, phy- sical growth evidences the monumental expansion of ed- ucation. The University Li- brary, the largest library in Missouri, contains over 800,000 volumes and a new addition to the library is being built with sound-proof rooms and new recording facilities. Modernity is showing its shining face on campus with the Business School and the new Agricultural building. Another addition to education is the Fine Arts Building, where many Arts and Science and music and art classes will be housed. Two new residence groups have also been completed, the north residence, which houses 500 men and the Hall B hous- ing approximately 320 women. A University is also known by its monuments - to some, stuffy symbols, but actually full of real significance. The Thomas Jefferson Monument, north of Jesse Hall, is of na- tional import. A monument to David Barton, St. Louis, one of the first two US senators from Missouri and president of the convention which drafted the first state constitution, is another site. The chief landmark of White Campus is the Mem- orial Tower, which was erect- ed in 1926 as a memorial to the alumni and students who died in wars. The Tower will be the center of the Memorial Student Union when the south wing is completed. Part of it will be finished by the end of this year with the building of the Green chapel. Outward symbols of this educational center are its colors, nickname, seal, flag and song. The name Tigers was first used when a University foot- ball team played its first intercollegiate game with Wash- ington in St. Louis. The name honors Columbians who de- fended Columbia during the Civil War during guerrilla raids. Crimson and gold. the original colors of the Univer- sity, were changed to gold and black in 1898 by the Uni- versity Council which also selected the official seal, motto, flower and tree. ' This then is the University - a collection of colleges, a place to gain learning, tra- I dition and growth - the center of Missouri.

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Arts and Science-where students strive to become liberally educated. p College of Arts and Science aim A lecturer in chemistry gives students glimpse of the world of physical science. The aim of the College of Arts and Science is to see that tomorrow's physicist knows something of Chaucer and Mil- ton and that tomorrowis doctor can discuss the molding forces of the American Revolution, in addition to the techni- cal knowledge of their own field. This College is the basis for all others, it is here that students sample all aspects of education: natural sciences, and the humanities. It is 'fitting that this focal point is housed in the physical center of campus life, ,lesse Hall. Students come to Francis Quadrangle and climb the crooked steps of the red-brick building to the true center of educational activity at the University. The goal of the school is to give the cultural student the opportunity to 'cthink for himself. By providing a wide breadth of subjects, the student is able to go on to his area of specialization knowing he has the background of a liberal education. It is this liberal education that cannot be overempha- sized. lt is not a dabbling Q it is learning - the Browning version of the philosophy of striving or the mysteries of higher mathematics - so necessary to this day and age when depth of thought is often lacking. A unique feature of the College is the operation of the only non-profit film library in the State, financed by the Adult 'Education and Extension service. This service, avail- able not only to the members of the College but to others in the University, provides over 3,000 films for l0,000,000 people a year. The College of Arts and Science was founded in 1839, and is now under the leadership of Dean W. Francis English - a man who has done much to augment the facilities and quality of the College.