Utah State University - Buzzer Yearbook (Logan, UT)

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PRES. SANBORN It became the policy of the management to enter the entire unoccupied field of industrial education of l.'tah, this field, of course, embracing domestic science and arts, commerce and mechanic arts. The modest $48,000 required to breathe into this frame work the breath of life was so far beyond public expectation that it was tegarded as a great extravagance for a poor territory with a University on its hands. It was an able legislature and when, member by member. the purposes of the College and its relations to the future of the State, had been explained the appropriation was. as memory has it, unanimously passed. to

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THE OLD CHAPEL Reminiscent College History ST )()1). a stranger, in December. 1889, on the desolate college site viewing its command of scenic beauty. A part of the south wing was all that existed of the college over which I was to preside. Should a vital force arise there creative of a new and richer life for the toiling wealth producers of I'tali? And should that force run in the narrow line conceived for it by the public!—the line of Agriculture ? I was of the soil and fascinated with the philosophical problems ol agriculture. I believed that the highest service that 1 could render the state would consist in the organization of courses of instruction in which agriculture should be the central pillar for training to the highest efficiency the citizen farmer. Yet only the central figure for efficiency. In all the industries each adds to the general wealth and such general efficiency should be taught in an industrial school. 9

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This appropriation was supplemented by tiie $15,000 from the Government plus some back funds not drawn. These resources enabled the founding of five industrial courses aside from the English and the Preparatory Departments. W e had to deal only with the first two years of each course. Citizens were freely shown through the shops and Domestic Science rooms, and over the farm, and the purposes of each and of the whole were explained to them, so that the public become familiar with the work and aims of the institution. The appropriation of 1892 was secured by effort. The unexpected growth and magnitude of the college and the field of its work had aroused opposition among a few educators, and with others the appropriation seemed out of proportion to the wealth of the State. The purpose of merging the University and the College was being fostered in certain quarters. This had to be met. The idea survived to embarrass the appropriations of 1894 and later to plague the College. as I am told. The precious dollars received were carefully expended. 'Fite first President’s duties were manifold. lie was building agent for all new construction work and had the organizing work in general. He also had the laying out of the hundreds of plat trials, and research work in animal nutrition to look after. The data for the monthly experiment station bulletins was handled and written tip in the main by him. 'The first faculty was made up of specialists drawn from all sections of the country and was quite cosmopolitan. It was a faculty ol great industry, of efficiency, and of cordial relations. It is scattered as widely as its origin, yet each living. The entrance examinations reached down to the level of the common schools for the Preparatory Department and were low for the College. In a democratic way it extended a helping hand, justified in the condition of the public schools of that day. serving as it was believed, the State better by such a policy than by one of exclusiveness. Partisan and sectarian bias were unknown factors in the college life. 1 beg the further space to pay a just tribute to three parties. The College was blessed by an able conscientious and broad-minded board of trustees maintaining internal harmony in its membership. It was considerate of the College management. The State is under obligations to it. The public gave the management its confidence and support, most essential aids and won my high and abiding esteem. Put memory dwells fondest on the frank, kindly loyal young men and women, (shall I offend bv saying especially the latter), of the 11