On the morning of Sept. 12, 1886, old North College was dedicated.Judge Solon O. Thacher, one of our honored citizens, made the address...
These words were written by Hannah Oliver, class of 1874, during the last century. an fading blue ink on a crisp and torn paper that may have been a pad for themes, these words represent a link with KU's past. Probably written for an address, these words are among the few descriptions we have today of the founding of the University of Kansas.
The treeless hill now blooms with the life of a myriad of wonders - natural and man-made. The prairie grass is gone, but the flowers still bloom in sheets of color on these springtime days.
Most of us, too (14,000 men and ladies) have hardly reached our prime - most of our lives lay before us, too.
The University of Kansas has not changed in spirit from th a t September morning nearly 100 years ago.
We, too, are serious and thoughtful beyond our years think we are and would like to be.
An education is no longer a luxury for a favored few. We have become so used to
the opportunity that sometimes our earnestness in taking advantage of it falters.
The opportunities for education at the University of Kansas are on a scale with every respected university in the United States. Kansas has a tradition of solid foundation in education, and our university is continuing that tradition. KU provides not only the solid foundations, but chances to explore and experience intellectual adventures in fields as diverse as radiation biophysics and human relations.
Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe has described a seat of learning as having four legs students, faculty, facilities and programs.
Student enrollment is increasing at close to 1,000 each year. Faculty, facilities and programs are tailored to meet the demands of students with the implicit idea that the student demands excellence.
Included among the 750 member faculty are 11 endowed professorships, a Regents' professorship, seven University distinguished professorships and visiting
distinguished professorship.
More than $10 million in research grants are received each year to finance students at the Medial Center in Kansas City and on the Lawrence campus.
A long-range Master Plan for campus building and planning has been developed to ensure growth of housing and classroom space to keep pace with a growing student body. A residence college system will soon explore education in the living room.
Academically, the College Honors Program has been described as magnificent by the national director of the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Foundation.
Testimony to the strength of KU's academic program is shown by the University's claim to six Rhodes scholars in seven years. (only Harvard, Princeton, Yale, West Point and Air Force Academy have more); 106 Woodrow Wilson Fellowships in six years, and the awarding of a Danforth Fellowship for graduate study in the United States, and a Marshall Scholarship for study at Cambridge University in England
to recent graduates.
Culturally KU can be as proud as any university community. The Museum of Art, aside from a distinguished permanent collection, brings great art from all over the world to campus in several exhibits each year. The University Theatre's major production series makes both contemporary and classical drama live for KU students while the Experimental Theatre explores new dimensions in modern drama. For the past several years, the Theatre has participated in exchange programs under auspices of the State Department, bringing actors from behind the Iron Curtain to KU while performing American drama in Iron Curtain countries.
Each year the Concert Course, Chamber Music Series and University concerts bring visiting artists of Ku to interpret the world's great music. Centennial week also sees the world premier of a major opera by nationally famous composer Douglas Moore.
The treeless hill has grown. - The Editors