OCR Text |
Show Founders' Da There's been a great deal of growth since the founding of Weber Academy Jan. 7, 1889 in the Ogden 2nd Ward, said Dean Hurst, vice-president of college relations in an interview in his office last week. "Ninety-eight students and two faculty members have grown to 11,000 students and over 1,000 faculty and staff," he said. The first permanent home, the Moench Building, was erected in 1892 and included seven acres. Today's campus spreads over 400 acres. Following the directive of L.D.S. church president, Wilford Woodruff, 20 to 25 stake academies were organized thoughout Utah and the surrounding areas during the 1888-89 period, according to James F. Cartwright, assistant archivist at WSC library. Some of them closed down while several became high schools. Three Utah colleges have survived as a result of the "academy movement." They are Snow College, Dixie College and Weber State College. The board of education was created in September of 1888 with the following members: Lewis Shurtliff, Joseph Stanford, Robert McQuarrie, Charles Mid-dleton, Nils C. Flygare, David McKay, Louis F. Moench and Thomas J. Stephens. Members of the board wanted Louis F. Moench to be the principal, so they waited for his return from a mission. They opened the academy in January 1889. Due to financial difficulties, members of the board often mortgaged their property to help out the struggling academy, said Hurst. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, "When I want to understand what is happening today or try to decide what will happen tomorrow, I look back." Dr. Stephen D. Nadauld followed this admonition when he shared a few excerpts from minutes of the Board of Trustees from 1922 with those attending the Founders' Day Luncheon on Friday, May 1. i f f One of the items of the agenda was concerning the gym fund. "Sixty-five years later we just received funding for our new gym," Nadauld said. Concerns now are the same as then. "The school has not sufficient funds to purchase books for the library," the 1922 minutes read. Sound familiar? The minutes for October of that year made note of over 200 students hiking to the top of Mt. Ogden. They carried parts of a 30 foot flag pole and reconstructed it at the top of the mountain.Pres. David O. McKay delivered an "inspirational" address. Pres. Nadauld suggested that the hike be recreated as part of the 100 year anniversary commemoration. . While 1922 records reflect an enrollment of 540 students for fall quarter, 1987 records show 500 more students registered for spring quarter this year than last year. "That gives us in excess of 11,000 students," Nadauld said. "That makes us almost as large or larger than Utah State." Education; a debt due from present to future generations. George Peabody (1795-1869). As that debt was paid by the early founders of WSC, it seems fitting that we pay tribute to those early founders. The debt continues to be paid by many caring alumni who contribute thousands of dollars to the growth and progression of this institution. "Weber State College has additional greatness to achieve," said Dr. Jerald T. Storey, vice-presdient and this year's recipient of the H. Aldous Dixon Award. "One ingredient necessary are capable and committed people. Everyone should feel they are honored," he said to those alumni attending the Founders' Day Luncheon. WKBF.R ACADKMY was founded Jan. 7, 1889 in the Ogden Second Ward with 98 students and two faculty members attending. The academy began under the direction of l.DS church president Wilford Woodruff. Three Utah colleges have survived as a result of the "academymovement." r Wildcat (cont'd fri and support of WSC over the ; "This one in a hundred edition gi two in a million people," he said. As Lindquist spoke, he asked youngest daughter Talitha to com ward. In her arms she held a pi kitty-cat. He also asked CoacfT and "Gar Cromp" to join them, shortening of athletic director Cromptons name was in deferenc Crompton habit.) "We want yi know the difference between a pTT and a wildcat," Lindquist said. Y |