Life Sciences in the 21st Century: Introduction
Lecture 1: Outline

prepared by Dr. Donald Mullins, Professor of Entomology

Purpose of the course:

Evolution of biology
Complexity in a technological world
Obligation of faculty...
to assist students in finding a niche which will allow them to participate in and guide our future to make a difference.
College participation and faculty involvement
Evolution of the university as a indicator of how we have evolved.

Uniqueness of the land grant university system
- How did it come about?
- What was it's purpose?
- What are some of its accomplishments?
Organization of Virginia Tech...How did it get to where it is now?

Historical perspective:
- Colonial days: Limited options
- Classical or professional education?
Purpose: (derived from the Morrill Act Legislation)
- Place higher education within the reach of all those in the working class that desire it.
- Avoid the dominance of the classics in higher education
- Develop instruction at the college level relating to the practical realities of an agricultural and industrial society
- Offer members of the industrial classes preparation for the 'professions of life'

1851	Olin and Preston Institute One building with 43 students
1872	Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College
1896	Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute
1944	Virginia Polytechnic Institute
1970	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

1872-1880	M . G. Ellzey, M. D., taught natural history
1880-1891	M. P. Scott, taught natural history
1891	What could be called the "Biology" department was established with the hiring of Ellison Adger Smyth Jr. (1863-1941)
1891	New courses: Human Physiology Advanced Physiology and Histology Zoology (Systematic and Structural) Economic Entomology Structural Botany Systematic Botany Vegetable Physiology and Biology
1921	By 1921, the Biology Department was offering fifteen courses
1925	E. A. Smyth retired and there was major reorganization
1927-1940	Many changes in groupings of departments and colleges. Biology housed with other departments in Agricultural Hall which became Price Hall
1969	Moved to Derring Hall. The faculty grew from 17 in 1967 to 49 in 1979.

Anonymous. 1987. Serving The World: The People and Ideas of America's State and Land-Grant Universities. National Association of State and Land Grant Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. 622pp. (Library of Congress # 87-62371)
Anonymous. 1987. College of the Fields: Some Highlights of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service 1914-1980. Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. Publication 478-025. 302pp.
Anonymous: 1995. The Land-Grant Tradition. National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. 27 pp.
Kerr, N. A. 1987. The Legacy. A Centennial History of the State Agricultural Experiment Stations. 1987-1987. Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. University of Missouri-Columbia. 318pp.
Knoblauch, H. C., B. F. Beacher, E. M. Law, R. B. Nestler, W. P. Meyer. and B. S. White, Jr. 1962. State Agricultural Experiment Stations: A History of Research Policy and Procedure. United States Department of Agriculture. Miscellaneous Publication No. 904.
Robertson, J. M. (Ed).1972. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Historical Data Book. Centennial Edition. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Bulletin Vol. 65. (4).
Young. H. N. 1975. The Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station 1886-1866. University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. 221pp.

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