Schneider Quad
Herman Schneider, the first dean of the College of Engineering, was born Pennsylvania and at the age of fourteen he quit school and began working in a mine in order to earn enough money to continue his education.[2] He migrated to Cincinnati because of its industrial core and due to the vision he had for a Co-Operative program.[3] The Co-operative program began with the goal of allowing students to spend part of their time working with local employers in manufacturing industries to hone their skills and experience a real world application.[4] Schneider's passion for this program was seen in his tireless recruitment of new employers, going to manufacturing firms one after another to enlist them in his plan.[5] Finally his hard work and perseverance paid off with about twelve Cincinnati manufacturing firms agreeing to participate in the Co-operative program.[6] Schneider then found 28 students who agreed to be part of the experimental program and in 1906, the program started with the condition it had one year to either succeed or fail.[7] Schneider's strength of willpower kept the program running smoothly the first years of the program as he handled issues with the companies and students while trying to enlist support in the academic community.[8] Through Schneider's tenacity, the program became a success and was imitated throughout the United States and abroad, including in field not associated with engineering.[9] Employers followed suit in Cincinnati and around the country by participating in the program.
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The Co-operative program has grown and continues to grow; it serves the University, the city of Cincinnati, the United States and the world.[11] Cincinnati and the University owe Schneider a debt of gratitude for pressing on in spite of indifference and ridicule of those in the community and in the Eastern schools who initially rejected Schneider's vision.[12] After initiating the Co-Op program, Schneider went on to become President of the University from 1929 to 1932.[13] In 2006, ground was broken on the west end of Baldwin Quad and the space was re-dedicated as the Herman Schneider Quad in recognition of the contributions Schneider gave to the engineering field not only in Cincinnati, but worldwide.[14]
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[1] The Cincinnatian. University of Cincinnati Yearbook 1911 . UC Publications. 1911. Page 24.
[2] Luke Feck. Yesterday’s Cincinnati. Miami, FL: Seemann Publishing, Inc., Miami, FL
1975. Page 75.
[3] “Early Days of Co-Operative Course Described”, Cincinnati Times Star, April 2, 1927. Page 2.
[4] “Dr. Schneider Tells Of His Battle For Co-Op Plan”, Cincinnati Enquirer, November 23, 1930. Page 21.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid.
[9] “Dr. Schneider Tells Of His Battle For Co-Op Plan”, Cincinnati Enquirer, November 23, 1930. Page 21.
[10] The Cincinnatian. University of Cincinnati Yearbook 1932 . UC Publications. 1932. Page 15.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Mary Reilly. "He Was Ever Co-Optimistic: Herman Schneider, Co-Op's Founder." UC News, April 10, 2005. http://www.uc.edu/News/NR.aspx?ID=2957 (accessed October 13, 2011).
[14] M.B. Reilly, "100-Year Legacy Breaks New Ground at UC." UC News, November 7, 2006. http://www.uc.edu/News/NR.aspx?ID=4678 (accessed October 13, 2011).
[15] The Cincinnatian. University of Cincinnati Yearbook 1936 . UC Publications. 1936. Page 4 and 5.
[16] Image courtesy of University of Cincinnati Archive and Rare Books.
[17] Ibid.