Barton O. Aylesworth 1899 - 1909 |
University Presidents |
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By nature, Aylesworth was congenial, easygoing, and derived pleasure from personal relationships and aesthetic pursuits. He was willing to delegate authority to others, and his approach to student affairs reflected a live-and-let-live philosophy. During his presidency, he took steps to reduce regimentation of student life and modified the mandatory student manual labor requirement. One of his strongest commitments was to the concept of short courses, for persons seeking practical, readily-applicable knowledge without elaborate academic requirements. A goal at the beginning of his presidency was to revitalize institute work. In 1899 the College launched a correspondence campaign with local farmers' groups to promote a series of institutes. Although originally committed to stressing the agricultural program, by 1906 he seemed primarily interested in promoting a balanced curriculum. He spoke of an institutional structure resting on "four cornerstones" - agriculture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and domestic science - each of which deserved "equable support." A struggle between broad and narrow gauge philosophies of institutional purpose was being waged at Colorado Agricultural College. Should the school function primarily as an agricultural institution or should it offer training in a broad range of fields. Professors, members of the State Board, and some highly important outside constituencies held views of the College's purpose that differed markedly from Aylesworth's. The president's hesitancy in responding to these opposing viewpoints contributed to a personal and institutional crisis that profoundly affected the destiny of the College. Aylesworth announced that he would not accept reappointment as president after the 1908-09 school year. |
Aylesworth was born in 1860 and was raised on a small farm near Springfield, Illinois. He entered Eureka College in 1874 and five years later qualified for the ministry, filling pulpits at various churches in Illinois and Iowa. In 1889 he was called to the presidency of Drake University becoming the "youngest college president in the U.S. at that time." Aylesworth resigned his office at Drake in 1897 and accepted a call to become pastor of the Central Christian Church of Denver, Colorado. However, feeling that a pastorate lacked the rewards of academic life, he eagerly accepted an offer from the State Board of Agriculture in July 1899 to become the fourth president of the State Agricultural College.