Colorado State University first started operations as the State Agricultural College in September 1879. The first enrollment consisted of five students. Elijah E. Edwards was the first President of the State Agricultural College. President Edwards, along with two instructors, welcomed the first five students to enroll at the State Agricultural College on September 1, 1879, two of which were members of his family. He believed the agricultural college’s function was to provide vocational training, yet within the traditional context of educating the whole person. Regular morning chapel services were established to mark the beginning of the college day. Terms were defined as Initial then First Year Spring, Summer and Autumn terms. The initial term lasted approximately 8 weeks and consisted of Math , English, History, Philosophy, Horticulture and Farm Economy. The next classes consisted of Algebra, Irrigation and Drainage, Chemistry, Botany and culminated at the end of the fourth year with Practice Law and Veterinary Science.
Today’s students will be amused at this. The tuition was free
to all within the state and a matriculation fee of $5 was required
of each student upon entering the college and an incidental fee
of $1 each term. Board and lodging could be obtained for $4-$6 per
week.
Graduation was consistent with the completion of all of the required
courses and in the beginning there were no choices. The students
studied the courses offered.
The first Commencement was held in 1884. The total number of graduates
was three. They were Elizabeth Coy, Leonadis Loomis and George H.
Glover. Elizabeth (Libby ) Coy married James W. Lawrence in 1890
and he became interim President of the College from 1891-92.
From this slight beginning we return to the present. On May 14-15,
2004 approximately 3000 students will receive their Ph.Ds, Masters
and Undergraduate degrees. Archives and Special Collection Department
at Morgan Library extends our congratulations to all of this year’s
graduates.