Repository: UIHistories Project: Sophograph - 1893 (Selections) [PAGE 12]

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THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

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THI-: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

UK University of Illinois is the outgrowth of a movement for the higher education of the industrial classes, begun in Illinois in 1851. The Congressional land grant for the founding of a University in this state amounted to ±80,000 acres. The first Legislator that convened after the close of the Civil War passed an act for incorporating the Illinois Industrial University. The institution was then put up as a prize to be won by the highest bidder. In this, Champaign county was successful, making a bid of §400,000. The first Board of Trustees, appointed bv Governor Oglesby, met in the Representatives hall at Springfield. They elected as Regent, Dr. John M. Gregory, formerly Superintendent Public Instruction in the State of Michigan. The University was chartered in February, 1867, and was first opened to students March 2, L86S. The number present during the first term was seventy seven. The sub jects taught were nearly the same as those now taught in the preparatory department. Tin instructors at that time were Dr. Gregory, Professors William M. Baker and Georg< \V. Atherton. Professor Baker died in L873, while still in the service ^\' the University. Professor Atherton -non resigned and afterwards became President of tin- Pennsylvania Stat< Colli _••<•. which position he still holds. Although the University was opened in March, IMJS, University work may properly be said to have begun in the following September. Tin faculty then consisted of Dr. Gregory, Regent, and Professors Burrill, Shattuck, Snvder Bliss and Stewart. In January, L870, Professor S. W. Robinson entered upon his duties as Proi rot' Mechanical Engineering.

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The University enjoys the distinction of being the second institution in America t five machine instruction to her -indents. Instruction in wood work was first given in her s in 1871. N. ('. Kicker was made Professor of Architecture in l 7."'.. l-'.l- mi exhibit » the work done at the University have been made at the Centennial Exposition at Phi la f ss delphia, in 1876, at the International Cotton Exposition in New Orleans, in l l 5, at Springfield, at Chicago and various other places. IIM Legislature of 1^71 authorized the construction ^\' the main University Building, which we now occupy, The cost of this building was to have been SI but nl\ 1 were appropriated. The amount necessary to complete the builditi was taken from the endowment and was never refunded bj the State. The corner stone was laid Sept tiher II'. 1871, and the building wa* dedicated December I", 1873. \ machine shop itul drill hall in one building were opened in September, 1871, The chemical laboratory, >stin< ,, ,, " • i dedicated at Commencement in 1878. At this Commencement d< es vver

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