The 1890s - the Beginning

Six yearbooks were published in the last decade of the nineteenth century, 1894 through 1899. Although the first three books include senior portraits and group photographs, individual students are not indentified. The faculty, however, enjoy captioned photographs and biographies. Not until 1898 were senior portraits identified, and 1902 introduced the first captioning of group photographs. These books are heavy on text, including rolls, histories, narratives and calendars, with fewer pictures than modern day yearbooks offer. Advertisers have always played a role in financing UC yearbooks, and in the early days some paid for advertisements in the very front of the books. Alfred Kuno Nippert, father of stadium namesake, James Gamble Nippert, was co-manager of the 1894 book.

Featured Text

1894 Editorial
At last the class of ’94 is able to present this much-looked-for volume to the students, and to those interested in the different departments of the University of Cincinnati. It has been our intention to mention everything of importance regarding classes, fraternities, clubs, athletics, etc. The last few years have been known to the University as the era of innovations and progress. Not only have we advanced in the number of students, professors, instructors, and in the modus operandi of our successive and successful deans, but also in the number of our student institutions and organizations. These many innovations, which have so recently been made, have all been carried on with the greatest success; and for that reason we may feel confident that this difficult and latest undertaking - the publication by the Senior class of the first annual of the University-will likewise be successful. And as it is the first undertaking of anything so responsible and laborious by any one class, so it is we present THE CINCINNATIAN to the public with much fear and trembling. Yet we may be justified in feeling as we do by knowledge of the general criticism which must necessarily pertain to such an initiative work. However we must ask your indulgence to the mistakes and discrepancies which will occur, and pray you to look over them with an endeavor to find something which may please or instruct.

We must thank the faculty for their co-operation and contributions as well as for their oft-expressed sympathies for the success of this book.

Too much credit can not be given to our hustling and tireless managers, Messrs. Brown and Nippert, for we well know it was only through their unabated work that this Annual could be published.

Allow us to express our indebtedness to all who have helped in any way to further on THE CINCINNATIAN and especially to Misses Maud Squire and Jane S. O’Hara for their many artistic and attractive pen pictures.

We are also very much indebted to Professor W. E. Waters for the timely assistance rendered in taking the group pictures of the different college organizations.

Found on pages 9 & 10 of the 1894 book