Mexico weekly ledger., 1908-08-27
MISSOURTS GREATEST
PUBLIC SCHOOL
STANDING OF THE STATE UEIVER-
sITY-rTs RECENT GROWTH
AND PROGRESSIVELY II
MEANS TO MISSOURI
Most Rapidly Growing Institution
OF Higher Learning in the
United States.

a4ou AOA Cfotl ucklCCOt I4NSoetcA aN
the kindergarten through the grade
schools, high schools and Normals te
institutions organized for the most
advanced intellectual training, this
spstem stands tJday with hardly az
equal anywhere in the entire country
At the very top is the State Univer-
sity. or this Institution every Nilsson
rian has Q right TO be proud. Time was
when one who would seek a higher
education was compelled TO search fol
IL In distant states and to secure IL,
II at all, only after having overcome
obstacles almost insurmountable "a
any save those who we're blest with
much OF this worlds goods. That day
is past. And now, thanks to the fore
sight OF the pioneer settlers OF the
State, any young man or woman, In
any Missouri community, who is am
bilious to secure an education OF The
highest type a get it in his own
State.
This is true whether they possessed
Of means or not. Every year hundreds
Of worthy young men and women en-
dowed with pluck and energy, are
making their way at the University
Of Missouri and at the same time pur-
suing courses Of study in the various
Departments Of the institution, with
eminent success.
One of the things about the Univer-
sity Of Missouri, which should excite
the pride OF Missourisns, everywhere
is its recent rapid growth. Less than
half a dozen years ago the entire en-
rollment Of the institution had not
yet reached one thousand students.
But in the session which has just
closed the enrolment passed the 250O
mark. Indeed the rate of growth has
exceeded that Of any other American
institution of similar character. 1t Is
confidently predicted by those who are
best informed that the next school
year will see almost 5000 Of the young
men and women Of Missouri gathered
In the halls Of the various Colleges
and Departments Of the University.
During all the time that this rapid
growth has been in progress the en-
trance requirements to the Univer.
uersity have been continually In.
creased AS a result, in order that they
may meet these higher standards, o
corresponding development an d
growth has taken place in the high
schools OF the state. For high schools
are the feeders Of the University.
They are Its only preparatory school,
since the ordinary preparatory Depart
ment, with which most institutions OF
higher learning are still encountered,
was abolished at the University more
than fifteen years ago.
The growth 10 Attendance has not
been the only mark CT progress. To
meet the increasing demand which
these young men and women have
been making there has necessarily
taken place IN increase in the equip.
ment and in the teaching force. To.
day the University has at Its disposal
thirty four splendid buildings OF brick
and stone, we'll furnished for the
work which the University has to do
These magnificent structures are
grouped around a central quadrangle
in the center Of which stands sil
stately columns, the only momentos
still remaining Of the old University
which burned to the ground in a ter.
r1ole conflagration nearlyitwenty year,
ago. The grounds, buildings anc
equipment are valued at more thar
g.. 900, 900. Nearly two hundread teach.
ers Professors, Assistant Professors
Instructors, and Assistants) are
engaged In the instruction of the
student body. The income OF the
University is equivalent to the in.
terest on an endowment OF more than
Sl2, 600, 200.
Whatever may be the ambition Of
the young man or women, whether il
be for success In the business world OF
for a professional career, Missouri
opens to. him the door Of opportunity
In this great public school. Here, in
what Secretary Of Agriculture James
Wilson, has termed ''in some respects
the best College Of Agriculture In
America, be may secure that knowl.
edge OF scientific farming which the
successful farmer Of the future must
necessarily possess Here also he may
prepare for the practice OF the Law 10
one Of the best Law schools In the en-
tire country. And here he may pre-
pare for Medicine, for Engineering,
for Journalism or for Teaching. Or
II he aspires for general culture only,
or desires to proceed his professional
specialization by a general college
training, then he may attend the Co |
lege Of Arts and Science which here,
as in other great universities, is the
center Of university life around which
are grouped the various professional
schools. In this department nearly
1000 students, including 500 young
ladies, were enrolled last year. 1t is
this Department that gives the his
toric degree Of Bachelor OF Art and
the higher degrees OF Master Of Arts
and Doctor OF Philosophy. All Of
these Departments are open, free OF
charge, to any who are prepared to
enter.
In answer TO the question, "Does a
College Education pay?'', there can
be but one reply. Statistics prepared
by the U. S Department Of Educa-
ton show that but oneIboy in 5000 who
has only finished the common school
will attain distinction In any line Of
human activity. OF those With a high
school education one In 404 will reach
the same distinction, but Of those who
have a college education one out OF
every 42will attain a national reputa-
tlon and practically all will achieve
more than ordinary success. In
answer TO the other question, "where
shall the young men go to colleRe",