Founders Rock UCLA: A Legacy of Vision and Growth
UCLA, a renowned institution of higher education, stands as a testament to the vision and determination of its founders. Emerging in the wake of World War I and on the cusp of the Roaring Twenties, UCLA's genesis is a story of overcoming obstacles, strategic planning, and a commitment to serving the growing needs of Southern California. This article explores the key figures, pivotal moments, and enduring spirit that shaped UCLA into the institution it is today.
The Genesis: A Need for a Southern Campus
The story of UCLA begins with a growing need for a university in Southern California that would stand the test of time. In the early 20th century, Los Angeles was experiencing rapid population growth, even surpassing San Francisco. Recognizing this shift, Edward A. Dickson, a Regent of the University of California and publisher of the Los Angeles Express newspaper, and Ernest Carroll Moore, the president of the Los Angeles State Normal School, saw an opportunity to establish a branch of the University of California in Los Angeles.
Their strategic alliance began with a lunch conversation on October 25, 1917, at the Jonathan Club in Los Angeles. Dickson, understanding the political landscape and Moore, with his vision for expanding the Normal School into a degree-granting institution, formed a powerful partnership. Moore envisioned the new institution granting bachelor's degrees in education, training those who would train teachers. He expressed, "I was not greatly interested in a teachers’ college".
Overcoming Opposition: The Fight for Expansion
Dickson and Moore faced significant opposition from the Berkeley-based University of California, including its president, faculty, and most of the regents. They feared that a southern campus would dilute Berkeley's resources, reputation, and draw away top students and tax dollars. However, Dickson and Moore persevered, understanding that the population boom in Southern California would eventually shift political power. If the university didn't act on its own, the politicians soon would.
The Birth of the Southern Branch
Their efforts paid off on May 23, 1919, when Governor William D. Stephens signed Assembly Bill 626 into law, creating the Southern Branch of the University of California. This act transferred the 25-acre Los Angeles Normal School campus at 855 North Vermont Avenue to the Board of Regents. The Normal School, which had been operating since 1881 under the direction of scholar, teacher and philosopher Moore, passed out of existence, giving rise to the University of California Southern Branch, with Moore as its first director and later provost.
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The Southern Branch opened on September 15, 1919, with an overwhelming response: 1,213 women and 207 men enrolled. Despite the lack of residence halls, students flocked to the campus, utilizing the city's Red Cars and Yellow Cars to reach the red-brick buildings designed by Los Angeles architects Allison and Allison. These buildings, built in the Lombard Romanesque tradition, were surrounded by green lawns, eucalyptus and acacia trees, and ivy-covered walls.
Growing Pains and Academic Recognition
The Southern Branch faced ongoing challenges, including clashes with Berkeley over budgets, hiring, and academic status. However, it gradually gained its footing and was eventually allowed to offer university degrees. In June 1923, the first group of 28 graduates received their bachelor of education diplomas. Two years later, the College of Letters and Science awarded its first bachelor of arts degrees to 98 women and 30 men. By the time Ralph Bunche graduated, the College of Letters and Science already ranked as the nation’s fifth largest liberal arts college.
The Need for a New Campus
As student enrollment continued to surge, the university regents recognized the need for a larger, more suitable campus. They formed a committee of Los Angeles civic leaders, led by attorney Henry W. O'Melveny, to advise on the selection of a new location. Several cities were considered, including Burbank, Pasadena, Fullerton, and Palos Verdes, before the final decision was made.
Westwood: A Vision for the Future
The chosen site was in Westwood, on land owned by real estate developers Harold and Edwin Janss. The land, originally within the 4,400-acre Rancho San Jose de Buenos Ayres granted to Don Maximo Alanis, offered stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains, reminding Dickson of Berkeley's setting. The Janss brothers envisioned a new community, Westwood, growing adjacent to the university.
The regents stipulated that acquiring the land should not cost the University of California anything. This presented a challenge, as the Janss brothers wanted to sell 300 acres for $2,000 each and another 75 acres for $7,500 each. To overcome this obstacle, high school and college students launched a campaign to persuade voters to approve a bond measure. Their efforts included radio broadcasts, a 10-minute film titled "College Days," and a massive bonfire and rally in Westwood.
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On Feb. 19, 1926, a 75-ton granite boulder was hauled from Perris Valley in Riverside County and placed on the site that would become UCLA’s new home in Westwood. This rock, known as Founders' Rock, was placed at the campus site in 1926. It was intended to serve as a marker, similar to "Founders' Rock" in Berkeley, where the University of California was dedicated in 1860.
Construction and Architectural Style
In May 1927, construction began on a bridge spanning the arroyo that ran through the acreage. This bridge, dedicated on October 22, 1927, was crucial for transporting building materials and opening the site to construction workers, students, and professors. On Sept. 21 of that year, Dr. Ernest Carroll Moore turned the first shovel of earth for the construction of what would go on to be UCLA’s famed quadrangle.
The architectural language of UCLA's earliest buildings is rooted in the Lombard Romanesque style of northern Italy. This choice was deliberate, as the architects sought a style that complemented Southern California's Mediterranean climate and cultural sensibilities. Royce Hall and its neighboring buildings feature seals of 16 European universities, symbolizing UCLA's connection to the lineage of European centers of learning.
Kerckhoff Hall is the exception, designed in a Gothic style to distinguish it as a student building with its own unique character and spirit. The building was funded by Louise Kerckhoff, who gave more than $715,000 toward its construction and more than $100,000 for its furnishings.
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