The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-07

any special needs in his department said
they ought to have about SIC, 900 worth Of
books within the next five years.
DR.. Folwell said further:
1--WE would have powerful graduate
depart ment here in few years if we had
the money to bring from six to twelve
experts Of the highest ability to the uni
VerSity."
Some lines of work are of course more
popular than others. Literature and the
languages are more sought after by the
average person of leisure who is working
principally for the cultivation side.
. There are, however, many of these stu
dents ,electing psychology, sociology and
even politics as minor subjects.
Science Department Well Equipped.
Most students who lean enough to the
sciences to follow up graduate courses
specialize in some one line. The equip
ment for research work is said to be very
satisfactory. There is a story that the
science professors by argumentative or
hypnotic influence get funds for apparatus
when the other departments have long,
weary waits before the simplest and most
inexpensive books can be obtained. What
ever the method used, the result would
seem to justify. If some hypnotist could
be found who would effect little haste
in book getting in the library it would
save much soreness of spirit in various
departments. But all things come; even
a subject catalogue is not beyond hope.
German Method Obtains.
Almost all of the prominent members of
the faculty have been students in the
great German universities. The German
seminary method is used in the graduate
department.
The student is largely law unto him
self and may do much or little work as he
6 inSpira6
nary signifies a seed plot or nursery and
is a we'll timed name.
If it seems amazing that the graduate
department has in so short time reached
it's present satisfactory proportions, let
it be remembered that great men can &C
complish great things with very little
! material aid. There are no special funds
and no professors devoting time exclu-
! sively to research work. In spite of that,
| here is a department that is a credit to
what Minnesotans are pleased to call a
| very high-grade university. Indeed, a
university is not properly such without
a graduate department. This depart
| ment is necessary to the dignity of Min
| nesota, university. Not only is it nee
| essary to the university, but also to the
state. In this way, eastern college men
and women say that the average fresh
| man of the western states does not meas
! ure up to the eastern standard. This
|
died. In proportion as the university gets
| better prepared freshman will it return
| back into the state better developed
graduates, and in proportion will the state
rise in dignity and power. Here lies the
! trouble when remedy is talked Of: Grad
yates of the state university prepare the
young people of the state for university
entrance. 1t is an endless chain, fresh
men inadequately prepared, because their
| high school teachers are not adequately
prepared. These high school teachers are
lacking, because they went into the uni
iversity lacking. There must be break
! in this circle before long. How is ii
| to be done? That is answered easily. BY
the graduate department of the univer-
sity.
Will Elevate the Standard.
It is a. matter to boast of that Min
nesota now requires college graduates OF
their equals in scholarship as teachers
in the high schools. The time is coming
when specialists will be demanded ant
Minnesota university, through the grad
uate department, will furnish them.
Many improvements are now in sight
There should be more fellowships. II
1899 Mr.. Mcdonald went as travelling
fellow to the University of Edinburgh
Later ne went to Paris as a representa-
tive OF Minnesota university He tool
something to those schools and will brint
much back to Minnesota. 1t is i'm
portant and necessary that the universit,
should be brought into close touch will
other and distant schools.
The lacks as indicated are those of new.
ness, and are more than overbalanced b,
the strong features, chief of which is the
splendid faculty. There is a magnificen
opportunity for citizens of Minneapoli:
and st. Paul to broaden views of life, b!
coming in contact with these men ant
women. Many Of the courses offered are
not intended as dry food for pedants bu
as delicious morsels fol- men and womel
who ere striving to be in the world ex
ponents of sweetness and light.
a L. A. G..