Letter from Shimek to Chancellor Andrews and Board of Regents
Title
Letter from Shimek to Chancellor Andrews and Board of Regents
Subject
B. Shimek, Czech Language program, student petition
Description
June 12, 1905 letter urging the administration to honor the student request for a Czech Language program at the University.
Source
Special Collections, Love Library
Date
June 12, 1905
Language
eng
Original Format
Letter
Text
Botanical Laboratory
State University of IOWA
Iowa City, Ia, June 12, 1905
Chancellor and Regents of the University of Nebraska,
Gentlemen:
My attention has been called to a petition which has been presented by some of your students of Bohemian parentage, reciting the desirability of giving instruction in the Bohemian language in your University.
Permit me to add my testimony concerning the wisdom of such a step. Your state contains a larger per-centage of citizens of Bohemian origin than any other state of the Union, and a larger actual number…
Page2
…than any other state west of the Mississippi river. You now have a larger number of students of Bohemian origin that any other college or university in the country. You, therefore, have an initial advantage possessed by no other such institution. Moreover, the neighboring states of Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and the Dakotas, have large Bohemian settlements in which there is a growing interest in educational matters, and these would prove feeders to the contemplated department. These people are loyal American citizens, but naturally retain a sentimental attachment to the tongue of their fathers, and they…
Page3
…would no doubt appreciate the introduction of their language into your courses.
There are also excellent cultural reasons. At present there is in this country an almost universal lack of knowledge of the great group of Slavonic languages. Of these languages Bohemian is the most highly organized and the best developed, and has the richest literature. It is certainly desirable that our educated citizens whatsoever origin have an opportunity to broaden their horizon by getting at least a glimpse of what is now practically an unknown field.
In view of these facts it is clear that the granting of the petition of your students will result in…
Page4
…material advantage to your institution.
I have a several fold interest in this matter. I am of Bohemian parentage; I was for two years (1888-1890) an instructor in your Universtiy; and as president of the Council of Higher Education, which has for its object the encouragement of higher education among the young Bohemians of this country, I am anxious to see all possible inducements offered by our reputable American institutions of learning to our boys and girls.
If the petition is passed upon favorably, and you so desire, we will gladly offer suggestions as to the available instructors and desirable literature.
Very sincerely,
(Signed)
B. Shimek
State University of IOWA
Iowa City, Ia, June 12, 1905
Chancellor and Regents of the University of Nebraska,
Gentlemen:
My attention has been called to a petition which has been presented by some of your students of Bohemian parentage, reciting the desirability of giving instruction in the Bohemian language in your University.
Permit me to add my testimony concerning the wisdom of such a step. Your state contains a larger per-centage of citizens of Bohemian origin than any other state of the Union, and a larger actual number…
Page2
…than any other state west of the Mississippi river. You now have a larger number of students of Bohemian origin that any other college or university in the country. You, therefore, have an initial advantage possessed by no other such institution. Moreover, the neighboring states of Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and the Dakotas, have large Bohemian settlements in which there is a growing interest in educational matters, and these would prove feeders to the contemplated department. These people are loyal American citizens, but naturally retain a sentimental attachment to the tongue of their fathers, and they…
Page3
…would no doubt appreciate the introduction of their language into your courses.
There are also excellent cultural reasons. At present there is in this country an almost universal lack of knowledge of the great group of Slavonic languages. Of these languages Bohemian is the most highly organized and the best developed, and has the richest literature. It is certainly desirable that our educated citizens whatsoever origin have an opportunity to broaden their horizon by getting at least a glimpse of what is now practically an unknown field.
In view of these facts it is clear that the granting of the petition of your students will result in…
Page4
…material advantage to your institution.
I have a several fold interest in this matter. I am of Bohemian parentage; I was for two years (1888-1890) an instructor in your Universtiy; and as president of the Council of Higher Education, which has for its object the encouragement of higher education among the young Bohemians of this country, I am anxious to see all possible inducements offered by our reputable American institutions of learning to our boys and girls.
If the petition is passed upon favorably, and you so desire, we will gladly offer suggestions as to the available instructors and desirable literature.
Very sincerely,
(Signed)
B. Shimek
