The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-02-22
fine LECTURE
4 FEATURES; DAY
Prof. v. p. Squires Gave Ac-
count of Work in the
Early Days.
MANY R HERE
FOR FESTIVITIES
Banquet this Evening is An
nual .Feature-Day is
Very Significant.

1t was an eager and cxpectant as
senlbly Of students, alumni and Hist-
tors who gathered in the auditorium
of Woodwork hall at the university at
the hour of 1880 this morning to par
ticipate in the first of the several gath
erings held today as n part Of the cele-
bration of Founders day and to listen
to the illustrated lecture by Professor
Vernon p. Squires on the history of
the university. They were well re-
warded for their Interest for Professor
Squires presentation vas both graphic
and comprehensive. The personal
cription of many Of the scene por-
trayed in the pictures brought the
early days Of the institutions history
very close home to the students Of the
present day and recalled long-forgot-
ten memories to the minds Of many of
the alumni present.
In outlining the life Of the institu-
ton for the past thirty years, Profess
sor Squires divided 1t into four peri
dds: The ancient. from 1883 to 1895
being the time from the beginning up
to the end Of the presidency Of Colonel
Sprague: the medieval period or
the state was almost bankrupt and 1t
seemed at times as though tho uni
Hersity would ave to be closed: the
modern period from 1899 to 1909, be-
ing the years from the passage Of the
mill tax law and the beginning Of the
university's larger development to the
n of the term OF President Merri-
field: and the contemporary period, or
the time from the beginning of the
term of President McVey in 1909 down
to the present.
Pays Tribute to Founders.
In discussing the founding of the
university. Professor Squires paid a
glowing tribute to the faith and fore
sight OF the men who had the courage
TO establish such an institution out
ON the open prairie. as was the campus
OF that time. Pictures of the early
leaders Of the institutions life were
shown; President Blackburn and his
SUCCESSORS. Professor Montgomery and
Colonel Sprague. The warmest of
commentator was expressed for the
members of the faculty who sacrificed
much to stand by the institution
through the critical years between
1895 and 1899. At that time, Presi-
dent Mcrrifield had an opportunity to
go to the newly founded University Of
Montana in the same capacity and to
take practically his entire faculty with
80 OuI uS Ss1OSC IhIIlc W Iculdln lOSs
al to the University of North Dakota.
When the picture of "Prexy" Merri-
field was thrown upon the screen. the
applause was long and earnest and the
pictures of others who have been
prominent in the %univcrsity's past
were greeted with equal enthusiasm.
Some are still living. mong them
Professor Thomas and Doctor Merri-
field, Judge Bruce and Judge Corliss
and others, Professors Woodwork.
Macnie and Estes and Mrs. Hannah
Davis have passed away. All have
had an important part in the work of
establishing the university on a founl
dation Of right ideals and giving to it
ITS democratic spirit. The story of
this growth and development is a part
of the history of a vigorous pioneer
state and. like the history Of that
state. 1t has had it's sunlight and its
shadow. But 1t has been a process of
progressive upward development, and
no n could listen to Professor
squires' recital of this history and