UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATION

UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATION. Organized in 1897, the organization responded to "thousands of thoughtful people who recognized the need of systematic study with aid and direction from specialists to keep from growing 'rusty' and to keep abreast of the times." Within the year the association had spread to seventeen states in which over 2,000 centers were formed with a membership of 38,000. The association was not connected to any one university, but was a federation of the principal universities and colleges of the world.

In Dubuque the Association was under the direction of Professor F. L. King. The first course to be offered was universal history under the direction of twelve professors of history associated with some of the leading American universities. Each professor was assigned a period of history for which he was well known. The second year's course would be universal literature. Other courses to follow included astronomy, civics, political economy, and geology.

The plan for each course of study was for members to do the readings prepared by the initial authorities in their homes and then to meet in class once a week for a review. Each course had a local instructor as a leader. The texts to be read were accompanied by citations to the standard works "practically providing the services of a librarian."

Four local centers were organized in Dubuque:

         Westminster Center (fifteen members) Dr. W. O. Ruston--leader

         Second Presbyterian Center (forty members) Professor 
          Franklin T. OLDT--leader

         Congregational Church Center (thirty members) Rev. L. W. Waterman--leader

         St. Luke's Center (thirty-five members) Miss Rhet Coates

The time and expenses of the courses placed "higher education within the reach of everyone who desires it."

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Source:

"University Association," Dubuque Herald, February 2, 1897, p. 4