Utah State University - Buzzer Yearbook (Logan, UT)

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PRES. W. J. KERR lead to a more general appreciation of the agricultural education of that institution. 1 was sometimes accused of partiality for the mechanic arts. At that time it was not so much a question of a preference for any one training which the institution gave as it was a question of bringing students directly and the parents indirectly within the sphere of that institution’s influence. W hether those early efforts to create the proper educational appreciation in the home were really successful must be left to the judgment of perhaps a new generation. It is gratifying, however, to witness the increasing growth of sentiment in favor of the training which the Agricultural College affords. Very respectfully, J. M. TANXER. 14

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trend f education was away from agriculture and mechanic arts. I set out to correct the mistaken idea of young men and women who tailed to appreciate the true meaning of the school. In my efforts to persuade them to change their course of studies, 1 discovered that these young people were directed chiefly by the educational sentiments of their parents. In some instances the parents wrote letters protesting strongly against the changes I recommended. I soon found that my efforts were needed more outside of the school than they were inside, and I therefore began a sort of missionary propaganda looking to the conversion of the people at large from the old to the modern needs of education. The school. I clearly saw, could not accomplish its mission until some radical changes were brought about in the educational ideals of the homes. An increased attendance might be secured, but an increase in the number of students would not accomplish what the college was founded to do unless the students were in harmony with its mission. During my administration of the College. I aimed to visit all the leading communities of I tali and southern Idaho at least once every year. The object of my visit was to enlighten the people at large upon the meaning and mission of that education for which an agricultural college stands. It was hoped that in the homes of the people the young men and the young women of the State would feel the inspiration of that new industrial life that was dawning upon the people of the W est. It was not so easy to reach the agricultural side of college life and bring home to the people the importance and improvement of the farm. It was easier for them to comprehend mechanic arts and their place in our new industrial life. My efforts to advance mechanical education found a more responsive sentiment in the minds of the people and I felt that somehow or other an education in mechanics in the Agricul-i ra! College would soon 13 PRES. J. M. TANNER

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We were also unsuccessful in securing a history »t President Kerr’s administration. It was during that period that the school passed through the darkest days of its existence. Owing to the untiring work of its President the crisis was successfully passed. It was also during President Kerr’s administration that the “shops were burned down and some little inconvenience thus caused the students of the institution. Upon the leaving of President Kerr for Oregon, the present administration was inaugurated with President Widtsoc at the helm. It has been during President Widtsoe's administration that the College has done its most successful work. It has finally found its proper place in the hearts of Utah citizens and receives the aid it merits. It has remained for President Widtsoc to inaugurate the “Farmers’ Roundup and the “Housekeepers’ Conference.’’ two verv successful institutions that reach the older generation. 'fhe registration has also increased wonderfully and this year it passed the one thousand mark. 15