Washington University Saint Louis - Hatchet Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

Page 32 text:

The first fruit of the new strength in the University was the purchase of a new site opposite the northwest corner of Forest Park. This was the gift of seventy-five friends of the University. Mr. Brookings was also instrumental in securing for Washington University the Russell Institute Fund, amounting to 130,000, which was to be used for endowment purposes only. Then the task of raising money ' for buildings on the new location was taken in hand. By 1898 the Corporation had 450,000 in hand, or pledged, and needed only 100,000 to enable it to move to the new site. In February 1899, it announced six buildings—a recitation and adminis¬ tration building. University Hall, donated by Mr. Brookings; two buildings for engineering and architecture, and an engineering laboratory ' , donated by ' Samuel Cupples; a chemistry building, donated by ' Adolphus Busch; and a library building donated by ' the late Stephen Ridgley ' . It also announced a gift of 100,000 for endowment by Mr. Brookings, on condition that the Corporation raise 400,000 or more. Washington University in its struggling infancy was set upon its sturdy feet by Robert S. Brookings. On May 29, 1900, Mr. Brookings and Mr. Cupples announced that they ' had deeded over to Washington University ' in fee simple the Cupples Station property at Seventh and Spruce streets, valued then at 3,000,000 par, but actually worth much more, which created the Robert S. Brookings endowment of 1,500.000 and the Samuel Cupples endowment of 1,500.000 and gave Washington University the largest unen umbered endowment of any ' University ' in the country at that time. Washington University was beginning to outgrow I HE MAIN QUADRANGLE IN I9CO; UNIVERSITY HaLL UNDER CoNSTURCTiON Page Twenty-two

Page 31 text:

of the University. And so it went. Each year found the high hopes of the seventeen corporators a little more con¬ servative, until at last those intentions were expressed in the order of the day at Washington University. In 1885 Dr. Eliot gave a description of the various departments which shows very well what he had accomp¬ lished. The Art School was among the best in the United States. The Astronomy Department, though provided with an unpretentious observatory, was regulating the time of several railroad systems and supplying central time for cities all over the West. The undergraduate department had been thoroughly re-organized, and Dr. Eliot said he was willing to compare his graduates with those of any Eastern university. The beginning of the present great William Chauvenet library had been made. More than seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars had been spent during Dr. Eliot’s Chancellorship. Because of his advancing years Chancellor Eliot asked to be permitted to resign in 1885. But he did not contemplate a passive resignation; he ended his rule as he had started it — with a drive for endowment. He said that at the time he took over the Chancellorship no one else of acknowl¬ edged prestige in education was willing, in spite of the hundred thousand dollar Chancellorship endowment of Hudson E. Bridge, to take the office because it was no better than “western grandilo- quism to call Washington University a university.” It had earned the respect of the citizens who knew the quality of its product, but it was not widely known. The University virtually marked time until the advent of another driving spirit ten years later. With the death of Chancellor Eliot in 1887 disappeared the dynamo which had driven Wash¬ ington University since its inception. The duties of the Chancellor were performed by the Dean of the College,Professor Marshall S. Snow, until October of 1891, when they were assumed by Professor Winfield Scott Chaplin, educator, engineer, and army officer. But the University’s funds dwindled; its old friends had disappeared. Then Robert S. Brookings stepped into the foreground. ith the same energy, enthusiasm, and capacity for organization that had distinguished him in the business world, he turned to the task of the reorganization of the University. Out of his own means, supplemented by contributions from new givers whom he inspired by his zeal, Mr. Brookings established magnificently the fabric which for a time had seemed tottering. The former fine arts and law buildings Page Twenty-one

Page 33 text:

the pioneering stage. Truly it could be said that the dawn of the new century was the dawn of a new era for Wa shington University. In 1901 Washington University leased its new grounds and buildings to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition for a rental of 650,000 to be expended by the University partly for permanent buildings and partly for beautifying the grounds. Tower Hall, Francis Gymnasium, and the Library in part were built from the World’s Fair rental. On account of the World’s Fair the University did not move to its new campus until January 30. 1905, after occupying the old Mary Institute building for about a year. Students were dis¬ satisfied with the lease, as they felt that the University should move to its new quarters as soon as possible. Then began a period of steady growth which continues today. Not a year has gone by in which the University has not announced some notable accession in endowment, equipment, or faculty. Those who are familiar with the records of Washington University and who possess, by virtue o f that intimacy with it which attendance brings, a feeling of close concern in its affairs, find cause for pride in its past achievements. But it is not alone the record of Washington’s past, however glorious, of which its friends are proud. A survey of its present splendor and perfection must thrill them all with a feeling of triumph, with a measure of the satisfaction and exultation that is the reward StRANGE sights on the steps Along the pikeway during the World’s Fair in 1903 Page Twenty-three