1797 > 1863 > 1897 > 1900 > 1940 > 1980 > present day

Rebuilding and the Creation of a University - 1900

Donations to rebuild the school came from far and wide. A prominent architect from a nearby city was asked to prepare a plan for the rebuilding of the institution. Having just visited the Chicago World's Fair of 1882, the ambitious architect devised a comprehensive plan that would successfully guide the development of the campus for nearly fifty years. During this time Dr. Randolph Dixon Black was appointed the first president of Paradigm University, and by 1900 the small institution had re-invented itself to reflect the educational trends of a new century. Now organized into separate colleges, the university offered courses of study in the liberal arts, sciences, engineering, medicine and law. Dr. Black traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe in order to assemble a world-renowned faculty. During his travels Black purchased entire libraries, scientific equipment, and works of art which he sent back to Paradigm. Dr. Black had once confided to a colleague that, "The Great Fire of 1897 was probably a blessing in disguise. Had the college not suffered such a catastrophic loss, it would probably have been impossible for the institution to redefine its mission and address the problems of contemporary education." At the same time as Paradigm witnessed an escalation in its academic reputation, the first intercollegiate athletic events were played on the rear drill field. Paradigm's crushing defeat of Navy during the 1900 season propelled the small school into the headlines and brought with it an increased participation of alumni in the affairs of the school. It was noted that alumni financial support of the school sky-rocketed when the Fight'in Tigers had a winning season. Paradigm's alumni president J. Madison Taylor III ('98), speaking at the 1910 commencement articulated the sentiments of many when he said, "We stand amidst a new Paradigm. Not the paradigm of our mothers and fathers, nor the Paradigm of our brothers and sisters. Rather, we are here amidst the Paradigm of our sons and daughters. Let Paradigm mature and become a leader among universities, but let not Paradigm grow beyond recognition. Let Paradigm remain as it is now, familiar, comfortable, and linked to her noble traditions."

1900 Facts:

Enrollment: 350
Faculty and Staff: 74
Tuition, Room and Board: $500/year
Facilities: 154,000 GSF
Parking Spaces 30 (by 1927)