The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-10-23
AN INSTITUTE STARTING WITH
 $IO,0OO,O
GREAT COLLEGE FREE TO STU. DENTS BOUNDED AT HOUSTON, TEX, BY LATE WILLIAM
 MI. RICE.

Few institutions of learning have begun their existence under such aus picious circumstances as the William M. Rice Institute, which opened its doors this fall at Houston, Texas. with an original fund for $1O 0O0. 900 for en- dowment and maintenance; with the foremost educators in the nation aid ing in planning it's future; with picked men for administrative offices and fac nity; and with a vigorous, growing it's influence. It is small wonder that the opening of this fnstitution should be attended by noted educators from government representatives. Dr. P. F. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education, deputized as special rep resentative of the Bureau at the cere- monies Dr. Kendric C. Babcock, spe- c1alist, in higher education.
 Rice Institute was made possible by the munihcence of William Marsh Rice, native of Massachusetts, but for many years a resident of Hous- ton. Before his death in 1900, Mfr. Rice made far-reaching plans for the establishment of a n-polftica1 and non-sectarian institution to be dedl- cated to the advancement of letters, science, and art. During the long Rice's death. the trustees called Dr. Edgar OdeH Lovett, professor in Princeton University, a man of wide experience and lofty aims to aid them
 
 aspirations. President Lovett was in structed to learn all he could about other institutions of higher learning before beginning his own. He trav- eled all over the world in the interest of the new enterprise, visited the lead ing educational and scientific estabS Mshments, and returned in the summer of 1909 from years journey of study that extended from England to Japan. Meanwhile the trustees had secured 300 acres of land on the extension of sit for the institute, and engaged experts to begin upon a comprehensive archf- tectural plan that would embody in institute This fall building opera tions had progressed so far that it was deemed advisable to hold formal dedication exercises and to open the institution to students.
 As a result of the systematic plan ming for the future, the buildings of Fdce Institute will be real contribu- ed from the best European types, yet carefully adjusted to the climatic con- ditions of the Southwest, the buildings will illustrate a distinctly appropriate style of architecture. The institute will not grow in a sporadic and hap hazard manner, like so many Ameri- symmetrically in accordance with a pre-conceived plan. Conspic- uous among the buildings projected 1 will be the special laboratories for irl- | struction and investigation in physics, | and biology, and in the ap- plication of these sciences to the arts of industry and commerce. In draw | ing the laboratory plans the institute | had the active cooperation | of men like Professor Ames, of Johns i Hopkins; Professor Conklin, of Prince l ton; Professor Richards, of Harvard; | and Professor Stratton, Director of the | National Bureau of Standards.
 The institute will be open to both | young men and young women. There l will be no charge for tuition and no ices. The standards of the institute will De consistently high: For the pres ent it is proposed to asign no upper init to the educational endeavor of | he new institution and to place its | over limit no lower than the stand lrd entrance requirements of the more universities of the coun- ry.'' Besides providing work of reg liar collegiate grade, the institution will afford opportunities for research O a number of selected graduate stu IentS. Thus Rice Institute has begun a ca ger which seems destined to add one nore il1ustrious name to the growing , lst of notable universities and col eges that are doing much to create n American culture.