Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-16
FATHER and SON
in COLLEGE STUDY
Latter With One Years Star
in 4 Years. Course Over
taken by Parent
OLDER MAN RENTS FARM
so AS TO ATTEND SCHOOL

COLUMBIA, Mo. June 15.--When the
senior class at the University of Mis-
souri, stands 60 receive degrees at Com
mencement to-day the visitors at the
University of Missouri viii for the first
time i'm their lives see "A father and his
son receive undergraduate degrees in the
College Of Agriculture OF Missouri They
are r. e. Vanatta, of Vandalia, Mo, for
ty-slx years old, and his son, Earl s.
Vanatta. twenty-three years old. Both
have taken the same course except that
the father completed the work in three
years, while the son required four years
10 take his degree.
Four years ago p. e. Vanatta was
farmer near Nandalia, Mo. He sent his
son Earl TO the University Of Missouri
to take the four years course IN agri-
culture He did not dream that Earls
letters home would prove so interesting
that he would he induced to give up
his farm, move to Columbia, and enter
up in the College Of Agriculture for
the same course his son was taking
but such is the case. Earls letters
home about the scientific ways of rails
ing corn and wheat. and his expert ad-
vice to his father about raising stock.
aroused a desire I'm vanatta seniors mind
to learn for himself the things about
farming that were not dreamed of in his
own boyhood days
Catches Up to His Son.
This he did. He did more for he rent
ed his farm at Nandalia. moved to Co
lumbia, and although his son had one
years start. he entered up as a regular
freshman in the College OF Agriculture
and in two years overlook his boy Now
they are both seniors and will receive
their degrees together to-day. Vanatta
| senior did such excellent work IN his
studies that he was last year made a
member of the Alhpa zeta, the highest
honorary fraternity i'm the College Of
Agriculture. Earl. who is also a good
student, became a member Of the Delta
Theta-Sigma another honorary society
in the College of Agriculture
Nanatta senior, as the students cal
him to distinguish him from his SON
was student in the University Of Mis-
souri, in 1884, but did not finish III,
course because he fell in love with and
married a girl in Stephens College ir
Columbia. He quit school and bought Z
farm near Vandalia, Mo.
When their son Earl had completed
his high school studies they sent him {,
Columbia 10 take the agricultural course
Earrs letters were too great a tcmpta
ton, so they got the farm off their hand
and moved to Columbia. Then the stu
dents experienced the sensation Of hay
ing a real live father sitting i'm elias
with them. Earl's work improved mme
diatey. for he could not stand the gibe
from the other boys about his fathe
getting better grades than he did
Makes Dad Wear "Dinky" Cap.
When vanatta senior was a freshma
his son Earl was a member Of the comm
tee that enforced the sophomore rule
against his father and compelled him
wear a "dinky" freshman cap with III
other green freshmen. However. when
came 10 studies, 'ihe old man" got III
better of it, for student hops" and coed
did not bother him and keep him from hi
lessons He did such good work that h
was permitted to take sufficient extr
credit to catch up with his son. All thi
year they have sat in the same classes
The professors in calling the c'ass roll
say "Vanatta senior" and "Vanatta ju
nior" to distinguish them.
Mr.. Vanatta has become immensel
popular with the students in his depart
ment through building for them a larg
clubhouse, where the leading student
in the department live on the co-opera
tive plan. Mrs. Vanatta is chaperon at m
house. Mr.. Nanatta has always taken pai
In student activities at the university. IA
balono 10 ALI the O. ass ornanizatione an
clubs. and it is not infrequent for a hal
dozen students to gather in his room a