Weber State University

By Jamie J. Weeks and Kandice N. Harris

Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, Weber State University has been serving the Greater Weber and Davis County communities for over 125 years. On January 7, 1889, Weber Stake Academy opened its doors for the first time to approximately 100 students. The academy continued to grow and develop through five name changes and several relocations. Throughout this time, the institution survived many financial and political struggles. Today, the university has increased in size to accommodate over 26,000 students. This pictorial history was put together in commemoration of Weber's 125th anniversary, and it provides a compelling look into the struggles and ultimate survival of a historic academic institution.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Aug 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781439657447

Jamie J. Weeks

Jamie J. Weeks is the curator and Kandice N. Harris is the coordinator of the Weber State University Archives. Four years ago, they started a project to scan 250,000 negatives to provide access to an untapped resource. This new image database, along with many historical photographs, has allowed them to collect over 200 of their best images depicting some of the most interesting moments in the school's history. Weber State University aims to touch the hearts of the community it has served so faithfully for over 125 years.

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Archives.

INTRODUCTION

In the late 1800s, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) decided to develop church-sponsored educational academies. Chairman of the Board of Education Wilford Woodruff, a leader of the church, stated, We feel that the time has arrived when the proper education of our children should be taken in hand by us as a people, where the principles of our religion may form a part of the teachings of the schools. On September 19, 1888, Lewis W. Shurtliff, then president of the Weber Stake, worked within his jurisdiction to form an eight-member Board of Education. The academy was to start classes in January 1889. LDS bishop Robert McQuarrie offered the Second Ward Meetinghouse as the building for the new school, with a rental fee of $300 per year. McQuarrie put together a committee to purchase desks and school supplies (approximately $1,000), install fences and toilets, and send a letter to each bishop in the area requesting financial aid. On January 7, 1889, Weber Stake Academy opened its doors for the first time to approximately 100 students, with two instructors, Louis F. Moench and Edwin C. Cutler.

With an increase in enrollment the next term, the meetinghouse became overcrowded. It was proposed that the academy be moved to the Ogden Tabernacle. Within two weeks of classes starting in the tabernacle, the LDS Church First Presidency informed the school that it would need to close its doors immediately. An attorney hired by the church had advised that the tabernacle should not be used for anything but church services. This was in response to the US government threatening to seize and confiscate all church property because of the church practice of polygamy. The board decided to purchase land to build its own structure. The funds allotted were between $25,000 and $30,000. The school closed its doors for 18 months while construction was completed on the first building of the academy’s new home. On November 1, 1890, Charles F. Middleton, a member of the Board of Education, wrote in his journal:

At our meeting it was reported by the building committee that the building was up to the second floor and that they were very much in need of means. I moved the following resolution to-wit: That we do pledge ourselves, our words, our honor and our property to the building committee of the Weber Stake Academy in raising means by loan or otherwise to complete said building at the earliest possible date. It was unanimously adopted.

On January 8, 1891, Middleton wrote, I secured a loan of $1,100.00 of William Critchlow for the Stake Academy. This courageous act was taken by all members of the board as they mortgaged their homes and properties to provide financial aid and backing for the institution.

On November 23, 1891, two hundred students began attending classes in the newly completed Weber Stake Academy Building, later named the Louis F. Moench Building. In his diary on March 16, 1892, Middleton wrote, Signed a note and mortgage on the Stake Academy $10,000, these papers are to be signed by all the stake educational board together with their wives. Throughout the first 15 years, the academy continued to suffer many financial difficulties; however, this period was also a time for the academy to grow and develop with a new addition to the Moench Building, a steady increase in student enrollment, the development of new courses, and the expansion of a student Polysophical Society. In 1908, the school dropped a portion of its name to become Weber Academy. At this time, the Board of Education was reorganized and its name changed to the Board of Trustees, with David O. McKay as president. In 1912, preparatory classes were dropped and the curriculum focused on high school courses. As the community evolved, the need for upper division courses became apparent. The academy began to offer two years of college work to the curriculum, and in 1918, the school was renamed Weber Normal College.

The school changed its name to Weber College in 1922 when it dropped the normal school curriculum to become a junior college. It was estimated that the college would receive 200 students the first year and up to 500 the next year. The Great Depression took its toll, and the board, principals, faculty, and many of the staff worked tirelessly without receiving pay or any compensation from the school. Instead of closing the school’s doors, Pres. Aaron Tracy asked students to pay their tuition with in-kind donations such as eggs, fruits, vegetables, livestock, and other goods. In 1933, after many discussions of whether or not to close the institution, the church leaders turned the school over to the State of Utah. In April 1941, college enrollment felt the impact of World War II. One month before graduation, all but five male students boarded a train to report to the draft; however, as the boys began to return home in 1945, enrollment increased so rapidly that it became apparent the college was going to have to find a new home for the future.

A sizeable piece of property was chosen in 1947, and once again, the local community came through to support the fundraising committee. The local chamber of commerce, businesses, churches, clubs, and many individuals donated generously to the cause. As the school was preparing to expand and move to the new location, leaders were also petitioning the state to allow the junior college to become a four-year college; however, in 1949, even though the proposal passed the state legislature, Gov. J. Bracken Lee vetoed the bill. By 1953, Lee was pushing for the state to discontinue funding for the school. Once again, the community fought to save its school. Thousands of petitions were signed to get the Lee bill onto the ballot so the public could vote against the removal of state funding. The campaign was successful and Utahns voted the bill down, leaving Weber a state-operated school with a hope to move forward as a four-year college in the future.

By 1954, there were four new buildings at the new Harrison Boulevard location, and the college formally moved to the new campus. From this time forward, the campus began to grow and expand at a rapid rate. The four-year proposal passed the state senate in 1959, and in 1963, Weber officially became a four-year institution and was renamed Weber State College. Through many years of expansion to several off-site campus