From our pages

1910
On January 10, 1910, the fourth anniversary of William Rainey Harper's death, the University broke ground for a new library to be named in his honor. Six months later, on June 14, the cornerstone was laid, reported the July issue of the Magazine. The University raised more than $210,000 for the library through some 2,000 "subscriptions" plus a $600,000 matching gift from John D. Rockefeller. The Magazine opined, "The Library will be to a large extent the heart of University life.... The building will be stately and beautiful and both from its dignity and its use will be for all the years to come a memorial worthy of the first president of the University."

Reading in Harper, the old-fashioned way (see 1910)

1950
The June issue reported that the Maroon had published its last issue for the school year--just six weeks into the ten-week spring quarter. The Magazine wrote, "[S]ince the staff is largely drawn from the College, it goes without saying that they feel it imperative to dig in for the comprehensive exams." The Magazine also announced the publication of Catalogues and Counters: The History of Sears Roebuck and Company, a 788-page work on the Chicago-based company, edited by former Sears executive Boris Emmet and business-school professor John E. Jeuck, AB'37, MBA'38, PhD'49. A four-year project, it chronicled 62 years of the company's history.

1975
As part of the Campaign for Chicago, the University planned to raise $5 million to double the capacity of the Henry Crown Field House. As reported in the Summer issue, plans included a new floor 14 feet above the ground floor to house varsity track, basketball, tennis, squash, and handball, as well as grandstand seating for 1,500. Plans for the ground floor included remodeling for fencing, wrestling, judo, and locker rooms. (The renovations were completed in 1980.) The field house rejuvenation was part of a plan which included a modest locker building on Stagg Field--which was accomplished--and a new swimming facility--which will appear as part of the Ratner Athletics Center.

1990
"I was expecting Buckingham Fountain," a member of the Class of 1990 said with mock dismay, commenting in the Summer issue of the Magazine on the resurrection of the Hutchinson Fountain. The fountain was turned on during Senior Week, after a more than 12-year dry spell, thanks to 282 members of the graduating class who contributed $4,000 in gifts and pledges. Though small, the Magazine wrote, "The fountain is large enough to provide cheerful water music for readers and diners in Hutchinson Courtyard."--Q.J.