September 8, 2015

New beginning

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Kasimir (also spelled “Kazimierz”) Fajans was a Russian chemistry professor of Polish and Jewish origin working in Germany. A top scientist on the cutting edge of radioactive and physical chemistry, he fled after Adolph Hitler became chancellor in 1933. Edward Kraus, LSA dean at U-M, offered Fajans a professorship. He took the job, and worked at U-M until his retirement in 1956. (Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library “Collections” publication)

 This month in history (163 years ago)

Former professor of philosophy at New York University and author of a noted critique of higher education in the United States, first U-M President Henry Phillip Tappan was a forceful advocate of the German model of university education. He moved the university from a strictly classical curriculum to a broader scientific curriculum. But 11 years in, difficulties with the regents on policy and personality led to his dismissal in June 1863. Still, the faculty continued to carry out the courses of study inspired by Tappan’s vision.

— From “History of the University of Michigan” (1885), Elizabeth M. Farrand, and the University of Michigan Office of the President website

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