The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 86, July 1982 - April, 1983 Page: 233
616 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The University Extension Services
failed at Wisconsin. Several reasons account for their demise: mechan-
ics' institutes, unlike farmers' institutes, did not have a homogeneous
audience; the university faculty, for the main part, did not support ex-
tension endeavors; lectures and correspondence courses were not widely
accepted, attended, or completed. Hence, by the turn of the century, the
extension idea seemed moribund. Then, several factors turned exten-
sion work and the University of Wisconsin program around. Charles N.
Van Hise, who would become one of the preeminent reformers in
American education, secured the Wisconsin regents' appointment as
president in 1903. Van Hise and Robert M. LaFollette, the prototypic
progressive governor, were in agreement about the role of the univer-
sity in implementing "The Wisconsin Idea." The university should
serve all citizens through extension work, reference libraries, service on
government commissions, and other on- and off-campus programs that
would make the university a vital part of the state's various communi-
ties. In 1907 the university faculty and administration seemed deter-
mined to make the extension service viable, and, although they aban-
doned mechanics's institutes, the university community endorsed heart-
ily the idea that the University of Wisconsin should become an institu-
tion for all the state's citizens. By 1912, many other state universities
had sent representatives to Wisconsin to see "The Wisconsin Idea" in
operation.'
Among those impressed with extension work at Wisconsin was Uni-
versity of Texas president Sidney E. Mezes. In his 1904 inaugural ad-
dress, Mezes had cited Wisconsin as a model for other states to emulate
in providing public service. At Mezes's urging, William Seneca Sutton,
dean of the School of Education, visited Wisconsin in 1909. Shortly
after receiving Sutton's report, the board of regents approved a Depart-
ment of Extension, to be directed by Harry Y. Benedict. Sutton also vis-
ited the University of Chicago, and, after John A. Lomax was lured
away from A8cM College in 1910 to serve as assistant director of exten-
sion, he toured other campuses in the Midwest.6
One problem that the University faced was finding a clear definition
4Maurice M. Vance, Charles Richard Van Hise (Madison, 196o), 83-84, 109-111; Curti
and Carstensen, University of Wisconsin, II, 551, 553, 557, 560-57o, 588-596; Belle Case
LaFollette and Fola LaFollette, Robert LaFollette (2 vols.; New York, 1953), I, 162-164.
5William S. Sutton to Sidney E. Mezes, Mar. 22, 1go9; John A. Lomax to Mezes, Mar. 26,
19go; "First Annual Report, 19o9-191o, Department of Extension," Extension Division
Correspondence, University of Texas President's Office Records (BTHC; these records are
cited hereafter as UTPOR); University of Texas Board of Regents Minutes, June 7, 1909
(copy), ibid.; Bulletin of the University of Texas, No. 113 (Dec., 1908), 282-285.233
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 86, July 1982 - April, 1983, periodical, 1982/1983; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101209/m1/269/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.