Wichita State University - Parnassus Yearbook (Wichita, KS)

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ln 1929, disaster temporarily struck. Fairmount Hall, the original campus structure, was destroyed by fire. The insurance money was used to construct a new Administration building today recognized as Jardine Hall. As a municipal university, the cost of tuition was somewhat higher than that of the state-supported colleges in the north and northeastern parts of the state of Kansas. lt was evident by the 1950's that a number of students throughout the south-central and south-western parts of the state were being denied the opportunity for inexpensive higher education offered by the northern state-supported universities. Under the leadership of Dr. Harry F. Corbin, then President of the University, a plan was developed to procure evidence and to prepare a case that would convince legislators throughout the state on the rationale of bringing the University of Wichita into the state system. The task was extremely difficult and its organizers faced considerable opposition and controversy. Yet, in March of 1963, the state legislature of Kansas designated that the University of Wichita would become Wichita State University, effective July 1, 1964. The students of southern Kansas quickly took advantage of the lower cost of tuition available through state support. In the ten years following its acceptance into the state system, Wichita State University's enrollment nearly doubled to a total of more than 15,000 students. The dream of Wichita Ladies' College may have never materialized, but the urban university that now sits on its site has fulfilled many a student's dream. WSUX21

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elf fg 1,1133 X X .. V ll l WSU Yesterday 9 ff 4. , , If, Q' 1- - ,F , .ff 'ill Q fw.5i..lj?:fff l iff, ' l I ,IEE-. NVTAW 7 My N4 W l sgpilgll ullilulil '- g , A Y, p rf .5 ,ilifflljsgz if Y 3 I is - , ' 6 if ff, l f Sf' w 'C ,, A I 1 -V '4 : f fl V 2. 3,6 'tl-5 ul fi ff! .Y ,n W e ' fla' Ln, 9 aff ,M P ' ms, gn' .V 3-, I., r Mx .. ,, ,.M.ls.sff...aMW'r1s2ffW .fir 1 .g .1 ge vv- .ae bei! , 1 1 1 f was q xg i 4 ., ,Af f 'inn X lx rl ' i fi 'gf' 1 i ll l g 5 l t QQ? X li E. 1 Q ef' A ' l tra at il j Qi it 1. t ' 3 iff' A E U l ll il is J m N---- l ,, 1 3 WG' I X145 klfl xxx-8 5' I Us U ' X qi! N-xv t ' ml ' View I-S sf - ll it ll . as , ll , , y jr , Watt. I ,iii 3 4 lull E1 Q g ' 11 5257! Q ' . 4 Q.-- J ,N 1 ' A A tiiigll I ' nf 1 2 l Mwl ,ww ll. llll iimi 5 PM 5 . N., I S , A ll li .L ,-5... X l ,f - m,..., N-x 4 'wi .v if A'A4 f ' ...Q e gg g A q vi I 1' 6' Z P if il. . f, M frisan and 6 ll if l 4 b A x 1 ,ff .ff-f19' t f A13 Zh . 0 e lf at-ligg its ffA' J, f 'gy W ff. med in lfue, lloriofl 'sf 'V 'V . z nf 1 'blflldmg nan l s I V A , V' N50 D iiiggyj.. n 4 f All A, g Yf l ,N, A .4 ,L,i ...M ,,,..,,,.,,,.....,..........,..,.W,.......,.....c-,...........4 The vision of a college on the fair radius. To succeed in this second attempt, remaining on campus, Fiske Hall. mount overlooking the beautiful though, the school would needa stalwart By the year 1925, renewed financial Arkansas River Valley and its city of Wichita is today a sturdy, ever-expanding reality. But in 1886, to Rev. J.H. Parker, pastor of the Plymouth Congregational Church, it was just a dream. His proposal to found a ladies' college on the outskirts of Wichita was approved and promised support by the Congregational Church, but the depression that swept through Kansas is 1888 called a halt to the construction of the first building which was nearly completed, and to Rev. Parker's dream. In 1892, however, the institution was revived and chartered as Fairmount Institute, an academy supported by the Congregational Church which prepared students for other universities. By 1894, the lnstitute's Board of Trustees decided there was less opportunity for their academy, as Wichita had two other successful ones, than for a college, as practically none existed for a 100-mile 20!WSU leader. Dr. Nathan J. Morrison deliberated at length over the position offered him. He had already strengthened two struggling colleges into successful institutions and knew the problems that befell the President of a small, church-supported institution. Dr. Morrison accepted the challenge, nonetheless, and in 1896 Fairmount College enrolled its first twelve students to be instructed by a faculty of five. The first class of nine members graduated June 4, 1898. Total enrollment that year was 179 students. Contributions from the eastern United States aided in the College's growth from 1900-1910. ln 1904, for example, Mrs. Charlotte Fiske, a member of a wealthy Bostonian family, contributed 32,500 to build a men's dormitory. The facility named for her, although she never saw it or the campus, is the oldest building still difficulties forced Fairmount College to pursue alternatives for survival. Mergers were considered with the College of Emporia, Friends University, Washburn University ianother Congregational collegel, and a Dodge City college. A better solution was suggested: offer Fairmount College as a gift to the City and make it a municipal university. The plan received strong support from nearly all of the civic clubs and--most importantly--from the Wichita Chamber of Commerce and from the local press. Yet, the first election on the issue failed to get enough votes in favor of accepting the College. A possible reason was suggested as being the poor turn out of voters. When a petition succeeded in obtaining a special election for the issue in April, 1926, the city that time voted to accept the college. The University of Wichita served well as a municipal university for many years.

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Q QS 22!WSU WSU Today Wichita State University is currently experiencing many exciting events and developments. From the constant construction of beautiful, and essential, buildings, to the visits of some of the most talented, creative artists, to the sale of beer on campus. An awareness of the progress of the University is unavoidable. Wichita State University truly is the U on the move and is accomplishing many of the goals which were originally mere dreams. The recently completed McKnight Art Center containing the Ulrich Museum of Art is visited by some of the finest art displays which draw unbelievable crowds of art appreciators. These displays range from Richard Anuszkiewicz' large paintings to James Rivers' Cival War drawings, from Cork Marcheschi's kinetic art to Eugene Atget's French photographs and Milton Glaser's contemporary designs. Many of these works are accompanied by their creators who speak and demonstrate to groups and classes. At the same time, dramatists and musicians such as the Hungarian string specialist, Kato Havas, share their art with classes at various times throughout the year. --T . .- Wichita State University students share their talents as well, as demonstrated in the 60-member Symphony Orchestra's visit to Vienna this past summer td perform as orchestra in residence for an international master course for conductors. The session featured 70 conductors from 19 countries. The orchestra was very well received and acclaimed by critics in its public performance. This rising emphasis on the Fine Arts reflects Wichita State University's