The daily collegian. (University Park, Pa.) 1940-current, February 17, 1959, Image 4

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    MGE. FOUR
State College Unique; Owes Existence to University
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SITE OF STATE COLLEGE lie.-; m background of picture taken from foundations of Old Main in
183'J. The fence row at right center runs along present path of Pugh Street.
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FIRST GRADUATING CLASS from Farmers’ High School was comprised of 13 men. The class
giaduated in 1861, after ariiving at the new campus in February of 1859.
Eleven Graduate in 1861
(Continued from page three)
cation in December and Janu
ary but classes continued
throughout the summer because
of the work needed to be done
on the farms.
Most of the members of the
first graduating class had received
previous training at other schools
before coming to the Farmers’
School and therefore graduated
in three years.
Dr. Evan Pugh became the Uni
versity’s first president m October
1859 and served on a $l5OO salary
which included a $5OO rebate to
the school for the purchase of en
gineering supplies.
C. Alfred Smith, a graduate
of '6l, returned to the school
several years later to receive
tha school's first graduate de
gree. in chemistry and physics.
Smith entered the Farmers'
School when he was barely 16
years old and graduated when
he was 18. Ha also served as a
member of the Board of Trus
tees and as a member of the
Chemistry-Physics School facul
ty-
The admission requirements to
the first class were a “good know
ledge of reading, writing, geogra
phy, arithmetic and English gram
mar.” Only one course of study
was provided in the original cur
riculum and its primary aim was
instruction in the theory and ap
pliction of farming principles.
Fees were fixed at $lOO and
students were required to furn
ish textbooks and light for their
rooms.
Until 1905 the University cata
logues gave- the school's founding
date as 1859 the year the first
students were admitted. The date
was changed by the trustees to
establish it as the year in w'hich
the law chartering the school was
signed—Feb. 22. 1855.
In its 104 years, the University
has changed its name three times.
Following the name of the Farm
ers’ High School of Pennsylvania,
it was called the Agricultural
College of Pennsylvania. It was
, , nty o
later called the Pennsylvania
State College and in 1953 was
named the Pennsylvania State
University.
Eleven students were gradu
ated in 1861—Milton S, Lytle,
James Miles, C. Alfred Smith,
John D. Isett, John W. Eckman,
Lynn C. Troutman, Samuel Hol
liday, A. C. Church, John W.
Banks, Charles E. Troutman
and E. P. McCormick.
Over 1500 students were grad
uated last June and a record 2200
students were graduated in 1950.
THE DAILY COLLEGIAN STATE COLLEGE. PENNSYLVANIA
,;n r)
The University has grown in
size and stature—if Banks could
see it after another 50 -years of
progress he would be even proud
er of having seen it “in its in
fancy.”
COOPERATION ... in the
present day and the future
of State College and the
University by . . .
Offering the best type of
service expected in the
lewelry store.
Watch repairing—and fine
new watches by Hamilton-
Elgin-Bulova.
Clock repairing—and new
models by Westclox, GE,
3emca, Schatz.
Engraving —to personalize
the jewelry you buy from us
or elsewhere.
Diamond and stone setting—
as well as Keepsake Rings
and other precious gem it
ems. «
Jewelry repairing—gold and
silversoldering, etc.
Gift jewelry—gift wrapping
for that “special someone.”
And... and above all else,
we guarantee satisfaction
with all our work!
8218 E. College
a™.
AD 7-7942
University, Town Maintain
Close Political, Social Ties
The Borough of State College occupies a unique posi
tion among the communities of Pennsylvania: It is the only
town in the state that owes its existance to an institution of
higher learning.
This is one of the main reasons for the close relations
—politically, socially and economically—between the Uni
versity and State College since the town’s founding.
The men who were sent in early
1859 by Governor James Pollock
to survey the future location of the
University described its location
as “a cross-roads near Boalsburg.”
There was nothing in the area but
trees and fields.
When the Farmers High School,
as the University was then call
ed, opened its doors to students
in 1859, a few farmers moved
near the campus and soon a
small community was started.
The town and the University had
begun their growth together.
In 1896 the town of State College
was incorporated and a decade of
expansion was begun. Between
1896 and 1906 the town added a fire
company, a high school, a library,
a water company, public utilities
and a board of health.
This growth of the town corres-j
ponded with tiie rapid enlargement
R. S. CARLIN, INC.
R. S. CARLIN INC. in Snow Shoe, renters of mod
ern and efficient construclion equipment, has taken
this opportunity to wish the one hundredth fresh
men class of the Pennsylvania State University a
successful and profitable future.
CALL EU 7-6862
For Immediate Service
MEXI
pnp’i t« Silo celebrating a birthday, hla
12th in State College. With fifty years of
do* experience in the background and the
struml generation on hand.
FREE
Anjr lftc beverage with the purchase of anf
•andwich.
HOTS
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 17. 1959
of facilities on the campus. Be
tween 1896 and 1906 the college had
grown with the addition of Schwab
Auditorium, Carnegie Building,
McAllister Hall and the Agriculture
Building (now Armsby).
The town and the college ex
perienced some problems of
“growing pains" at about the
same time. The increase in the
use of the automobile was one
of the problems with which both
had to cope and which both still
(Continued on page eighteen)
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