It has been said that no town grows up until it is home to a college or university. Knowing this, as early as 1944, far-sighted community leaders began to plan and raise money for ’the creation of a junior college in Columbus. In February of 1958 the Georgia Legislature passed the Junior College Bill, which stipulated that all colleges qualifying for state funding must be in operation by September of 1958.

     It was a challenge to meet the deadline, but on September 22, 1958, Columbus came of age: Columbus College began classes in the old Shanon Hosiery Mill, with 13 faculty members, five academic programs and 227 students. The phenomenal growth of the college began. In 1960, the first class of graduates received their associate degrees. In 1963, the college relocated to its present site. In 1965, the college was authorized to move up to the four-year status, and 1966 saw the first enrollment in a bachelor's degree program. In 1973, the first graduate students began classes leading to the Master of Education degree and finally, ỉn 1996, Columbus College became Columbus State University.

     Some of the benefits from the university to our town are obvious - the spreading of knowledge and culture, skills and technology through college and advanced courses that students are able to take locally.

     A major benefit from the university to our town is not so obvious, perhaps. Hundreds of highly educated and talented faculty and staff have become citizens of our area, contributing their skills, expertise and viewpoints to the common good of the community and generally promoted the progress of the area in a number of diverse ways.

     Looking back over 60 years of growth, the dream of those leaders who had the foresight to bring the college to Columbus has been fulfilled beyond their dreams.

36. The idea that prompted the community leaders in Columbus to plan for the

creation of a college is that ………………………….

     A. towns can grow very large if they have a college

     B. the town must have a college for their own benefit

     C. a town cannot be fully developed without a college

     D. foresight is essential when they plan for the college

37. Columbus College began classes in September, 1958 so that it obtained

financial support from ………………………

     A. citizens of the Columbus area                            B. the state government

     C. private companies                                                          D. students' tuition

38. How many years did it take the students at Columbus College to receive an associate degree?

     A. Two years           B. Three years            C. Four years            D. Seven years

39. The meaning of the word “phenomenal” in paragraph 2 can be expressed by …………………..

     A. remarkable                B. gradual                 C. far-sighted                 D. hasty

40. The writer's purpose in writing this article is most likely to …………………..

     A. recount the university's history

     B. show the importance of the university to the town

     C. ask more students to attend the university

     D. celebrate the university's 60th anniversary