Centennial

From frugal beginnings in 1855 as a state-chartered farmers' college, Pennsylvania State University has grown into the 6th largest (15,400 students) of the nation's 69 land-grant* colleges--with research achievements to match, e.g., in diesel engineering, low temperature studies, corn hybridization. Last week, with scarcely a backward look or a sigh of nostalgia, Penn State briskly marked its 100th year of growth with a day-long celebration.

On hand to dedicate a new $300,000 nuclear reactor for research, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Lewis Strauss termed the instrument "truly magnificent and versatile," but warned Penn State to instill in its pupils the will to peace or "there may be no second centennials." To clear up the "endless confusion" caused by its switch from college to university status over a year ago, Penn State officially changed its address from State College. Pa., to University Park, Pa. Pennsylvania's Governor George M. Leader presented his respects: "I look upon the university as one of the main sources I can tap to bring better government to this state."

For the university's eleventh president, Dr. Milton Eisenhower, the centenary was marked by two special tributes. Ground was broken for a new all-faith chapel dedicated to his late wife, Helen Eakin Eisenhower, who died last summer (TIME, July 19). From Washington came brotherly congratulations from Dwight Eisenhower: "Naturally I am proud . . . both as a citizen who is interested in the continuous progress of our institutions of learning and as a brother of Penn State's president."

* Under the Morrill Act of 1862, Congress awarded public lands to the states as endowment for new colleges to "teach agriculture and the mechanical arts."

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