Ursinus College - Ruby Yearbook (Collegeville, PA)

Page 9 text:

President’s Message HE new science building loomed first as an ideal, then as an idea, and now ic is about to become a reality. The process by which this has been brought about has been most fascinating. Back of the original hope was the desite that this addition to the equipment of Ursinus might be the last word in laboratory construction. Consequently, the first step was to visit newly constructed science buildings, to study plans, and to seek counsel with those having expert knowledge and experience. From these we learned not only what to do but also what not to do. The notebook of Mr. Frank R. Watson, head of the architectural firm commissioned by the Directors of the College for this work, bears witness to many hours of consultation, examination and study before even a preliminary sketch of the building was made. Fully two years were devoted to perfecting the plans and drafting the specifications. This building will be 186 feet long, 96 feet deep, and 104 feet from the basement floor to the weather vane. It will have over 50,000 square feet of floor space and will house sixteen laboratories, eleven conference rooms, thirty-one service and supply rooms, seven class-rooms, lecture hall, library, director’s office with private laboratory, and two rooms for stenographers. At the base of the cupola will be a room for astronomy, opening on a roof-deck 45 feet square for observation purposes. The building will house all the work in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and astronomy. It is to be faced with Chestnut Hill stone and Indiana limestone. The walls will be backed with hard red brick and lined throughout with buff colored acid-proof brick. The internal construction is of steel and concrete. Beyond the building itself we have had constantly before us the vision of young scholars releasing their talents in the use of it and developing knowledge and skill that shall be of value to the world in the years to come. GEORGE L. OMWAKE

Page 11 text:

Cyrus H. I . Curtis THE students of Ursinus hail with genuine affection the premier benefactor of our college. We are drawn to him not only because his generous support of this institution has contributed directly to the quality of instruction we here enjoy, but also because we see in him one whose career gives us hope, courage and inspiration, and whose character lifts us to high levels of thought and action. In presenting Mr. Curtis for honors eighteen years ago on the occasion of President Omwake’s inauguration, Mr. H. E. Paisley pointed out his great energy, industry and tact, his intellectual quality, lofty ideals and moral worth, his unparalled contribution to society in building up the home, and declared that his career signalizes in a remarkable way the possibility of combining in one’s life-purposes the ends of personal success and public welfare.” Consequently his life, as well as the fruits of his benefactions, sheds luster on Ursinus. Not only to us but to the generation of students who will follow us, the name of Cyrus H. K. Curtis will be one of endearment and encouragement.