Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/156

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THE WISCONSIN IDEA

anywhere than in education) that it has died down in other states until it has become simply a name.

The increasing spirit in Wisconsin demanded that the university should serve the state and all of its people and that it should be an institution for all the people within the state and not merely for the few who could send their sons and daughters to Madison; thus was brought about the establishment of the extension division about five years ago.

The University of Wisconsin during these few years has shown the world what constitutes real university extension. It has accomplished what many schools have tried to accomplish for many years with but indifferent results. It made what had been an ideal a practical reality. It actually did and does bring the university to every fireside. It actually has shown all universities a means for shedding the light of knowledge from within its walls to every home.

The distinctive feature of this department is that it has a faculty, an administration and an appropriation of its own. It now spends $125,000 a year. Under the old system of university extension, a professor gave part time at the university and delivered a few sporadic lectures in the field. Under this new extension arrangement, professors of the highest rank are sent out into the villages, shops and factories as practically travelling teachers, meanwhile bringing the students in the field