Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-26


broad and experienced educator and sucl
an able executive officer AS President Whit
man. and they are readily cooperating Will
the trustees in the raising of the money fo
the needed expansions and improvements
Many of the alumni will be unable to reaci
the city for the ratification meeting to
night. while others have written that they
Will return In time to take part in it.
Changes to BE Considered.
The trustees and faculties have been con
ferring during the week in reference to thu
changes to be made next season, and it /.
expected that number of important an
nouncements of the improvements planned
or decided upon will be made tonight
These improvements are expected in every
department of the university. but there i.
special rejoicing because particular effort!
the preparatory school and the college
where hundreds of Washingtonians have
been students. and put them on a par will
any institution in the land
President Whitmnn's Personality.
The accompanying picture of Presiden
Whitman is a very good likeness of an ex
ceedingly good looking man. Indeed, hi.
personal attractions are scarcely less re
markable than his intellectual attain
ments. OF fine and commanding physique
he bears a splendidly chiseled head upor
broad shoulders. and the regularity of hi:
features Is heightened in effect by thu
smoothness of his face. A peculiarly ricf
and resonant voice is another qualit,
which draws strangers to DIR. Whitman
and he wears courtly and dignified man
ner. which attracts respect and inspire.
confidence in the man.
1t was great surprise to the Maine PEG
pie when the young pastor of the Ere,
Street Baptist Church in Portland wa.
chosen the successor of DIR. Small a:
president of Colby University. The latte
gentleman had made a great name fo
himself and the friends of the institution
despaired of ever getting another lik.
him to fill his place. Young Presiden
Whitman dissipated any fears of this sor
In very short time after assuming thu
direction Of Colby. His predecessor hat
made the Institution coordinate colleg,
and DR.. Whitman continued the system
and broadened and improved it.
His Course MT Colby.
The attendance Of students was unde
the number appropriate to such a school
and the new president began to lecture OF
its advantages throughout Maine. The Re
suits Of this were quickly apparent In al
increased number of matriculations, anc
Colby now has between $50 and 800 stu
dents. DR.. Whitman paid a great deal o
attention to improving the university, ant
in behalf Of progress he made radica
changes in the courses, heghtening tn,
curriculum and improving the faculty unit
the proper policy in the proper spirit.
His personal popularity among those h,
had preached to before becoming a colleg,
president was increased after he went t
Waterville. The students found that h,
was their friend and best adviser. Digni
fed as he was, He was still the most ap
proachable of men. and students who found
themselves in trouble soon discovered hin
to be most resourceful in suggestions tina
would help them He entered into thei
sports and recreations, too, with all III,
ardor Of an enthusiast.
Approves of Athletics.
He was and is fond Of athletics. liking
base ball hugely. and being particularly
partial to rowing and tennis. So he cheeret
the Colby students on In their desire fo
physical improvement, and those who know
him expect he will bring Columbian to tn,
front in an athletic. as he will in a schol
arly. Sc use. He is something Of an athlat,
himself and while he cannot naturally in
dulge much in athletic exercises, he neve
misses taking a long, rapid walk every
night before he retires.
When president of Colby, DR.. Whitman
took q public spirited interested in tn,
affairs of Waterville and was ever to tn,
fore in any movement that looked to com
munity Improvement, and he will doubt
less take a keen interest in affairs in hi
new home as he believes a man is but {
poor citizen VINO does not seek TO ad
vance and prosper the conditions of hi!
place of residence, whether adopted or not
These few sentences will give the Wash
ington public very good idea Of the kim
of man DR.. Whitman Is. Up at his oil
post of duty and all through Maine hi
departure from Colby is regarded as some
thing In the way Of a disaster. An earnes
effort was made when the possibility Of hi
transfer to Columbian was first limited a
to make him promise to decline any in
vitation that might be extended to him
but this was as unavailing as the subse
Quent endeavor to get him to refuse tn
offer when rendered. One of the trustees
decision that he formally suggested tina
when a new president for Colby wa
chosen a contract with him for ten year
of service should be demanded.
While DR.. Whitman was at Colby Their
was a bright and progressive revival. a
noted above, and many substantial addi
lions were made.
The scientific outfit was vastly improved
and laboratory. Not the least interestin,
point in his career was the rivalry, pleas
ant, of course. which the loyal friends o
Colby and Bowdoin brought about between
DIR. Whitman and President Hyde of Bow
dom. Both were young, energetic and be
levers in advancing the science of educa
ton to the highest development possible
They met frequently at educational gath
erings, visiting which, by the way, is
custom which DR.. Whitman religiously fol
lows, and pretty soon 1t became eviden
that Colby's interests were not suffering
when compared with those of the older col
lege.
His Brilliant and Brief Career.
His biography Is brief, but full of event
He was born in Nova Scotia, November 81
1862. After graduating from the Worceste
Academy in 1888. he entered Brown Uni
versity, from which he graduated in 1887
with the degree of A. B., receiving his A
NJ. from the same institution three year
later. In 1890 he graduated from the New
ton Theological Institution. The sam
year he became pastor of the Free Stree
Baptist Church in Portland. This import
ant pastorate he resigned in 1892 to accep
the presidency of Colby University. He re