As we approach the turn of the century, the temptation to reflect on our past and try to envision the future is irresistible.

For Florida State University, it’s especially tempting, because both the past and the future reflect great credit on the people who have been associated with this university.

The French philosopher Voltaire asserted that "history should be written as philosophy." I believe the history of Florida State University shows the development of a very special philosophy developed through pioneering efforts at the frontiers of higher education.

In 1851, only 75 years after this country became an independent nation, the Seminary West of the Suwannee was established by the legislature of a frontier state.

You can surmise from the language of the law you see above that there was some competition for the site of the Seminary West of the Suwannee River, the forerunner institution of FSU.

College Hall -- Built on Gallows Hill 1857

Tallahassee, Marianna and Quincy all wanted the West Seminary. The Legislature finally decided in favor of Tallahassee and its mayor, Francis Eppes, who had offered land and two thousand dollars for annual education of students from town. Yes, ours is an interesting and storied history.

Soon, we will celebrate our 150th anniversary. We have been in existence for nearly two-thirds of our country's history, yet our name and our mission have changed again and again.

College Hall -- Expanded 1891, Replaced by Westcott Building 1909

Our earliest role was to educate young people who would help civilize the frontier of Florida, which had been a state for only six years. Early on, thanks to our founder, Francis Eppes, we embraced the liberal arts approach that has prevailed throughout our history.

In 1905, we took on a new and special pioneering role when the legislature gave us a mission to become a college for the education of young women. The Florida State College for Women developed and prospered in that role as the nation went through world wars, the suffrage movement, Prohibition and the Great Depression.

By the end of World War II, The Florida State College for Women was well established in the arts and humanities and in education. It was the third largest women's college in the United States, and the home of the first Phi Beta Kappa chapter in Florida.

FSCW, 1942

But the end of the war brought another challenge as our mission changed again, and we were suddenly again given a role as a coeducational university.

We experienced an energizing time, serving veterans who were secure in their abilities after the difficult sacrifices they had made in serving their country.

This mission of educating male and female students was coupled with the proposition that we would build our strength in the basic sciences, building on our strong liberal arts traditions.

We accepted this charge and recruited the legendary "49ers." This outstanding group of faculty -- most of them also former servicemen -- gathered on this campus intent on building great new departments.

The 49ers and those who joined in the following years set about to build a great research institution, and they achieved this goal in a remarkably short time, bringing the university to Carnegie Research I status in 1994.

In speaking about the United States, an English wag once said that "Youth is its oldest tradition." The same might be said of Florida State University. We have remained young because we have been willing to accept the pioneering roles and adapt to changing times.