The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-04-13
THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA

Dr. stearns OF The North Dakota
university has prepared the follow,
ing:
PROBABLY no country in the world
makes more generous provisions for
euucatton, and for popular education
than our own. In this respect North
Dakota Is not behind her sister com
monWealtts. She has a university
young but vigorous. and growing IN
intrinsic worth, in favor with her own
pepole, and in reputation abroad. The
origin OF the state university at Grand
FORKS epostofice, University Ia traced
lxo correspondence between DR.. W.
I. Collins, now living in California.
and Hon. Geo. III. Walsh, then OF the
territorial legislature. Beginning with
the idea Of a territorial normal school
the plan developed into that for n
territorial university. This was in 1883.
just twenty -seven years ago, the pre-
liminaries covering five months. from
Jan. to May 16.
The dedication of the first BUILDING.
\ 'old MAN." was an interesting event.
The laying Of the cornerstone had been
placed In the hands OF the Acacia lodge
Of Free Masons, and the words of the
grand master on that occasion are
notable:
4 We are assembled here today, in
/ the face Of all, to build house, which
we pray God may deserve TO prosper
Oy becoming place of concourse for
good men, and promoting harmony ana
Fbrotherly love throughout the world
sfall time shall be no more"
/ The appearance OF the university
on that historic day. Sept s, 1884,
when the doors were first opened to
students, cannot be better described
than in the words Of ex-President
Merrifleld, then a member of the first
! faculty:
"The building was located two miles
from Grand Forks, with not q single
intervening inhabitation, and, save for
the narrow fringe Of timber along the
Red river, for two miles to the east
not tree nor a twig was visible"
Four instructors, including the pres
4dent, and seventy pupils, some of
high but the majority grammar school
grade, made up the little world within
its walls. Today we may see a cam
pus already attractive and PROMISING.
planted with trees and shrubbery.
There are twelve large modern build
ings, and others in course of erec-
ton, all well equipped for their pur-
poses. The STAFF of instructors now
number eight-four, and the annual
student enrolment has reached nearly
1000 After great privation and toll,
after a quarter of century Of alter
nate disappointment and triumph, the
dream of the pioneer is coming true.
The University of North Dakota %
fday comprises six colleges: The cole
lege Of liberal arts providing the usual
courses for culture, the teachers fitting
irrespective teachers for high school
work; and the college of law. naedi-
cine, mining, engineering and mechan-
tcaI and electrical engineering The
service rendered by these several COL
leges in fitting young men and women
For rnoTe intelligent and effective div /
FAng canot be over-estimated. But the
swork OF the state university does not |
lcnd here. Already steps are being
taken to bring its MINISTRIES to |
THE people, for 1t is felt that st belongs
10 no one class, bat to all the people |
90 the state.
TO provide opportunities to meet |
the needs Of busy teachers, the sum /
mer session has been organized. |
courses wild also be offered.
The last Legislature provided for |
che establishment Of biological sta
ton on the shores OF Devils Lake, to
be under the control and care OF the
trustees OF the university. This UNIQUE
body Of water is Of great value both
for scientific and commercial purposes,
and affords q rare opportunity for
study and experiment. The water Is
ewarming with plant and animal life,
and North Dakota has here a rare op-