Utah State University - Buzzer Yearbook (Logan, UT)

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PRES. JOHN A. WIDTSOE

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PRES. L. N. STOUT. In March 1901, the sub-freshman courses and the elementary courses in Agriculture and Commerce were abolished, and regular three-year courses of high-school grade were established in Agriculture, Domestic Science, and Commerce, each leading to a certificate of graduation. The Manual Training course in Mechanic Arts was increased from three to four years, and the Manual Training course in Domestic Arts was increased from two to three years. An additional year’s work was prescribed for admission to the baccalaureate courses, thereby raising the standard of the regular college work one year. The Agricultural College of Utah aims, in accordance with the spirit of the laws under which it is organized, to provide a liberal, thorough and practical education. All the practical work on the farm, in the orchards, vineyards, kitchen, sewing rooms, different scientific laboratories, and carpenter, forge and machine shops, is done in strict accordance with scientific principles. In addition to the practical work of different courses, students are thoroughly trained in the related subjects of science; and in mathematics, history, English and modern languages. The object of the school is to inculcate habits of industry and thrift, of accuracy and reliability, and to foster all that makes for right living and good citizenship. 11

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PRESIDENT WIDTSOE THE Island of Froien, one of the outermost islands on the coast of Norway, there lived many years ago a child, Anna Gaarden, whose forefathers for many generations had been the King’s pilots of the rough uncertain coast thereabout. Anna was a strongly romantic, intellectual girl and it is small wonder that her school teacher who came to the Island school to begin his profession, fell in love with her and in time won her for his wife. John Andreas Widtsoe. the elder, was descended for generations through a line of teachers and professional men. For many years he wielded a powerful influence upon the communities in which he lived Into this family, on January 31, 1872, was born John A. Widtsoe, Jr. By temperament he was artistic and, breathing as he did the myth-laden air of the Northland, he passed an ideal childhood. Six years after John’s birth, Osborne J. P, was born to the family. Two months later the father was taken with a sudden illness and died leaving a widow, disconsolate, but fired with one great ambition: to do her part toward making useful men of her two boys. Then began the hardships that seem to be the necessary accompaniment of all men who accomplish any thing worthy in life. Of course, John was to have a first-class education which should fit him to be a minister or school teacher, as his fathers had been for so many generations. His ambitious mother early taught him to read and write (which is the guarded privilege of all good Norwegian mothers), but he was not sent to school until he was nine years of age. About this time, the mother became interested in the strange religion called Mormonism and became a convert thereto. When the subject of this sketch was nearly twelve years of age: the mother with her two sons emigrated to America, arriving in Logan November 15. 1885. This move was made at an uncounted sacrifice. The pension which had been received since the father’s death was lost; as u'as also the chance to give the sons a good education at the expense of the country,—a custom extended toward the widows and children of deceased teachers of a certain grade and length of service. The little family found themselves deprived of means, and of influence, in a strange land.usingan unknown language, and forced to fight for every inch of progress made. The boy, John, was thus early made to feel the responsibility and seriousness of life, fie must work, work, if he would accomplish his aim in life. There was to be no loafing or profitless fun for him. He worked at many and divers “jobs” during those early years; his eager ambition preventing his being satisfied with any work in which his mind was not being trained as well as his t ody. He tried printing, delivered milk for neighbors, worked at mills and in time arose to the dignity of being a clerk in the old U O.”—the big store of Logan for many years. His quick mind and active body bespoke for him advancement and his employers made him flattering offers of promotions. During all these years the desire to go to school became more and more intense. A few broken years of study were obtained in the public schools, and between these periods private evening lessons were secured. Through the untiring exertions of his mother and his own thrift, the way was opened for him to achieve his great desire. Thus in the year 1889 he entered the Normal course of the Brigham Young College, from which he graduated in 1891. Then came the crisis of his life. Should he procure a position of teacher in a country school and begin earning money? Or should he again enter the field of business—for he had some flattering offers- and devote his life to gathering money ? This choice must lx? made by most young men sometime in their lives. In the year 1891 Dr. J. M. Tanner, who was then President of the B. Y. College, was preparing to enter Harvard to finish his law course. With far seeing wisdom he urged some of his most promising pupils to go with him and prepare themselves for lives of usefulness in the schools of their beloved State. Among the number was John A. Widtsoe. This would be the nilfillment of one of his wildest dreams; but how was it to be done? He had no father to give or lend the money; no brother to sign a note; no security whatever, except his good name. However, his mother consented to have her tiny home mortgaged; and there were 13