Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR CITY OF OGDEN, UTAH To the Faculty and Students: I have observed with interest and enthusiasm the growth and development of Weber Col- lege. Weber has provided inspiration and personal preparation to thousands of our people for nearly three quarters of a century. It has raised our cultural level by bringing a college atmosphere to Ogden and by spon- soring many high-quality dramatic, educa- tional. and aesthetic programs. It is a pleasure to join with others of this area in applauding Weber's advance to a four-year status. This is a major step both for Weber College and the greater Ogden community as well as a credit to all who have worked to achieve this goal. This new function is certain to contribute much to the culture, the economy, and the interest in northern Utah. It is a special pleasure to welcome and to congratulate those students of the college who will be members of the first graduating class to offer the bachelor’s degree at Weber College tn the spring of 1964. This will mark them as most significant members of an outstanding alumni. The Council and all others of the City Ad- ministration intend to cooperate in any way possible to expedite expansion and develop- ment of Weber College. It is our wish that we might help to make this growth pleasant, efficient, and adequate. 7 Congratulations to a great educational insti- tution. Merle E. Allen. Ed.D. Mayor, City of OgJen

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The beauty of jilas dominates Lyon's sketch of the proposed dormitories. Construction is expected to be completed by 1964. The first and major unit ot the million Fine Arts-Auditorium Center will be completed in 1964. Include»! in this unit will be an I.MOO-seat capacity auditorium and classrooms for music and theater arts. The final unit, to be in use in 1963, will include a little theatre, seating $00 to 400. and classroom facilities for speech, arc. and radio. North 6

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Weber, in adding her third year to her collegiate academic program this year, discovered her overwhelming expansion possibilities. And this coming year, as she becomes a fullfledged senior insti- tution and graduates her first senior class, Weber's potential will truly have begun to unfold. School registration for the fall quarter set a record as the first Weber College juniors embarked upon a new course of study. All classrooms, offices, and other facilities of the campus ran to capacity, and cars parked in pedes- trian zones. Weber Enters Another Important Era In Her History Of Progress The first junior to register. Paulette Lich- tenstein, discusses her schedule with President Miller. This year for the first time Weber offers upper division work and thus faces the great challenge of becoming an outstanding senior college. The opportunity of becoming a senior college did not come by chance or accident. The realization of this status fulfills the dreams and hopes of many dedicated individuals who planned and worked for this progressive change over a period of many years. arrived. Inasmuch as Weber is a state institution and its status is determined by state statute, a change in state law was necessary before senior college status could be achieved. The four-year bill, therefore, was presented to the 19-19 Legislature. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the bill, but it was vetoed by Governor J. Bracken Lee. Although this veto was a great dis- appointment. it served as a stimulus to continue to plan for ex- pansion. i1:: The move to the new campus in 1954 made possible an expansion program for Weber that was impossible on the small restricted old campus. By 1958 it was felt that the time had arrived to renew the request for senior college status to the Utah Legislature. This decision was reached following a careful study and after consulting many local organizations and individuals. After a bill had been drafted, visits were made to each legislator in the state prior to the convening of the 1959 Legislature to acquaint each member with the proposed bill. The four-year bill was introduced in the Senate on January 27, 1959. and was given the number S. B. 132. Sponsors were Senators J. Francis Fowles, Frank M. Browning, and Haven J. Barlow. The Senate passed the bill on February 27, 1959, with a vote of 16 to 8. The House of Representatives passed the bill on March 10, 1959, with a vote of 53 to 7, with 4 absent. Governor George D. Clyde signed the bill in bis office on March 19. 1959. This brief statement outlines an important event in the history of Weber College. Truly, a great tomorrow cannot be achieved with- out a great today. 7 William P. Miller, President Although senior college status for Weber has been the hope for more than a score of years, such a move could not be justified until an enrollment sufficiently large enough to provide an eco- nomic unit would be assured. It was felt by President H. A. Dixon, the faculty, and the friends of Weber in 1948 that this time had Weber College In 1889, Dr Louis F. Mocnch. Webers first administrator, probably never dreamed his Stake Academy would some 74 years later achieve four-year college status