How religion affected education?
The weather in Champaign is strange. It rained three times a day: in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, and each time it was very cloudy and had lots of thunders and it rained dogs and cats, while the ground got draught very quickly after and the sunshine shined just like it never rained!
I was determined to attend the lecture at 4 pm about the religion and university education, because I found there were many churches on or around the campus. Religion has penetrated into every corner of American daily life. I was curious how religion in this university affect their students’ study and livings. The rain did not stop. I did not hesitate.
Today’s presenter, Joe Rank, is the retired Alumni Association vice president. I arrived at 3:50 pm. It was not surprise to me that I was almost the only audience, if not, at least the youngest, and the only oriental person in scene. On the front row, sitting four senior people all of whom were at Mr. Rank’s age. I was warm welcomed and had small conversation with Joe.
In fact, this lecture is part of the 150thanniversary events of UIUC.
At beginning, Joe introduced three fields he interested of university: religion, military and ahool. His words aligned with my three-month observation, so my attention was immediately caught by his introduction. I even regretted a little for missing his first two presentation. We lived near a popular bar, which is filled with young students and very noisy at deep night. On our way to teaching buildings, I saw soldiers in uniform more than once. All these unusual observations were the differences. How these happened? What caused the difference? At least Joe’s presentation helped me solve my question of religion. One of the benefits of the higher average age of the audience is they are very knowledgeable. Joe asked a strange question, in which year did squirrels first come to Champaign? One of the senior audience told us the squirrels of Champaign came from the university of Michigan in 1901!
Basically, Joe went us through the religion history of UIUC.
On 2 March of 1868, Illinois industrial college was established with 15 male students. At the very beginning, it only taught liberal and arts. However, this college was intended for the working class. At that time, the industrial revolution heavily affected people’s view of the world. The industrial education movement raised. Illinois was thought as the agricultural paradise, and to educate young people with energizing spirit by setting an industrial college in Champaign, people would be well prepared to move westwards. Rev. Jonathan Baldwin Turner persuaded the congress that each state put half a million dollars to set an university and each congressman donated 30,000 acres land for the university in The Morrill Act of 1862, AKA Land- grant college Act of 1862. Thus, it produced the public university systems in USA. The early Americans were very visionary.
John Milton Gregory was the first Regent (ie, President) of Illinois Industrial University. In his first report in 1868 of the board of the Trustees, he wrote, “The chief aim of the university is the liberal and practical education of the industrial classed”. At that time, it was compulsory Daily Chapel. He wrote, “Education, assuredly, can’t be neutral. It must be Christian, Jewish, or Infidel… Hence in making such an exclusive selection, the State must enter expected to attend churches”. That stage lasted from 1868 till 1894. In 1895, the early rebel occurred. Foster North questioned the daily Chapel. Soon more and more students pranked demoralize the then regent, Slim Peabody, during 1880- 1891. Finally, in 1894, the Chapel requirement was lifted. After that, the YMCA & YWCA had great influence and the religious foundations flourish. The St. John Catholic church and the Wesley church. These churches were built not as smooth as we thought. St. John Church did finish the rest of its one third part for 15 years for the shortage of money due to Great Depression. At least 5 major churches were built at the early 20thcentury. It was ironic that the church of Newman was leased to the Army during WWII. The development of Jewish church was not easy. Black people also wanted to build a spiritual home to their children. Albert Lee, the unofficial Dean of the colored students, made his efforts to build a church on campus. The South Korean shared Wesley Church. There are even places for Muslins around campus. The university now has many churches for different people and there are still many religious practices today.
As for Asian religion, Botulism and Taoism, or may be Confucius (if it is religion), there is vacuum. There is a newly built Japan House where people can admire Japan tea and art. Still, it has nothing to do with religion. In America, Asian religions were not very active.
It might be a good idea to set a culture center where people can sit and share their happiness and sorrow. Religion belongs the soft culture, but it is much powerful than the hard products.
After the lecture, the rain stopped. The sunshine was so strong that there was not water left on the street! I prefer the sunny days.
