1890-92 - University Archives and Records Center - University of ...

January, 1891, Mr. Warren P. Laird, who had received his professional
training at Cornell University, and who has had practical
experience in his profession in one of the best known offices in the
country, was called to the chair of Architecture, and given charge
of the new school. Upon him has fallen the burden of planning the
courses of instruction and tèe lines to be pursued for thé best development
of the school ; and to his indefatigable zeal, clear perception and
good judgment is due the gratifying success already achieved. The
lively interest taken by the Advisory Committee in the organization of
the school has been continued, and an important feature in the method
of instruction are the courses upon practical matters given by these
. gentlemen. Mr. Charles E. Dana was elected professor.of Art, and
has had immediate charge of the classes in water colors. These
classes have been opened to the public with certain necessary restrictions.
In October, 1891, Mr. Millard was appointed instructor
in Architectural Drawing, and, at-the beginning of the current year,
Mr. Everett took charge of the classes in Freehand Drawing and
Sketching.
The department has suffered a severe loss in the death of Mr.
Edmund H. Stewardson, for one term an instructor in Modeling,
whose distinguished ability and conscientious performance of duty
added unusual strength to the course.
As will be seen from the tables already given, the success of the
school has been immediate and pronounced. In 1889 there were five
students in Architecture. With the opening of the new course the
number rose to twenty-nine; last year it increased to fifty-seven;
and' this year to fifty-eight. It has been found necessary to provide
new accommodations for this school, and, during the past summer, a
suite of six rooms, properly decorated and furnished, has been assigned
to the department. They consist of an office, a lecture room, a
library, two drawing rooms and a special studio for instruction in
Sketching'and Water Coloring.
The department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering has
been strengthened by the addition of more instructors and the number
of students largely increased, from twenty-one in 1889-90 to forty
in 1890-91, to sixty-nine in 1891-92, and to eighty-five at the
beginning of the present session. The Board of Trustees has
wisely taken advantage of the erection of the University Central
Heat and Light Station to provide this department with a laboratory
building of its own. This building was carefully planned, and is
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