i Page 4 ee Sy ~ ee " — —_ FIELD TO FULFILLMENT... THIRTY-ONE beautiful place but too small. We decided that Weber College should be in Ogden . . many students would need to work. YEARS ago Earl S. Paul saw a field covered with snow -- today -- dreams cast in brick and concrete. to Harrison Boulevard would much need to be purchased so the cam- better than the present site,” Mr. Paul said. Mr. Paul knew that John M. Mills had some vacant property. Upon visiting him Mr. Paul found that none of his land was pus would front on Harrison. There were eight owners. ‘Fortunately all of these owners lived in Ogden and could be contacted. An agreement was made and a purchase price for each separate property established. The total sum amounted to $25,000.” The two blocks weren’t for sale. He intended to keep it. Mr. Paul had worked for Mr. Mills when he was Superintendent of the State Industrial School in 1922. “T knew of his great love for education. He was a_publicspirited man. I appealed to him as a man who has always worked for the benefit of education. Weber College needed a new site where it could grow and expand . . . his property would be a very beautiful place for the college.”’ Mr. Mills finally agreed to sell 75 acres on the north side of his property for $75,000 and gave his permission for Mr. Paul to present this offer to his committee. “TI knew he would keep his agreement as he was a fully trustworthy man.”’ Mr. Paul returned home and took his wife, the former Myrtle Wilcox, to see the property. She agreed it could be a perfect site. He called President Dixon to tell him about the property. On that February day, the two men walked over the property and, standing where the stadium parking lot is today, they discussed a campus. with beautiful buildings and grounds. ‘President Dix~ was pleased about the location and acreage—the committee was all in favor,’’ said Mr. Paul. . Everyone agreed the land extending from the Mills property ae . — ss er — Two men stood on the brow of the hill, looking down over the fields covered with snow and sparkling in crisp February sunshine. Time—31 years ago, Feb. 18, 1947. The men—H. Aldous Dixon, president of Weber College, and Earl S. Paul, chairman of the committee to select a new site for Weber College. This moment had _ been preceded by a search through records for vacant property. ‘“‘We had a few offers, one was a 40 acre place at North Ogden, another one was two blocks west of St. Benedict’s Hospital. We ruled against these offers. The place in North Ogden was a Mr. Paul was then selected to be one of four members’ ona finance committee to raise funds necessary for the land. Other finance committee members were William J. Critchlow, Jr., Lew Griffin, H. Aldous Dixon and Earl S. Paul. ‘“We organized and asked Many prominent men and women to assist in collecting the funds. They were willing to donate their time and means for such an important project. The Chamber of Commerce and individuals donated generously,”’ Mr. Paul said. Not everything went smoothly. A faction opposed a third school of higher education and actively tried to influence the state against giving funds or going ahead with the project. Mr. Paul threw his efforts into encouraging the Ogden Institution. On Feb. 15, 1949, two years after that moment when the two men stood on the hill, Aldous Dixon sent Mr. Paul a letter ‘‘we shall never forget the fine work you did to see that justice was brought to bear for Weber College.”’ “J don’t think any alumnus could have the welfare of WSC anymore at heart,” said Mrs. Paul. ‘ WEBERCO LL . \ “ "NEATH THE CREST of the Wasatch Mountains situated on its foothills, the ‘campus will spread forth, picturesque and colorful and inspiring to behold. ‘lf you have faith you shall seek and with hope in your hearts you shall find.’ ' (1949 Acorn). Mr. Paul, in addition to his activities for the college, has been active in civic and church positions. He served an LDS mission to Samoa and was later called as A Mission President there. He and his wife also filled a two-year mission to Hawaii as temple guides. He served as a Bishop eight years and as a Stake President nine years. A general contractor in the area, Mr. Paul helped build churches, schools and remodel the Dee Hospital. He served on the Ogden City Planning Board and was a member of the Cham- ~ ber of Commerce and Ogden Rotary Club. The Paul’s have three sons and two daughters. Six of their 26 grandchildren have attended Weber State College as well as nieces and nephews. “T am thrilled every time I © drive by the campus—it has become a great institution, fully fulfilling the vision we had of its future on that cold 1947 February afternoon,’’ Mr. Paul said.