The news & observer., 1896-12-27
PRESIDENT ALDERMAN INTER
VIEWED.
Wilmington Messenger.(

wv HIilHA Lbu hAcSSthStisf
DR.. Edwin A. Alderman, the distin
guished president of the State University,
arrived in the city on Sunday and will
spend couple Of days more here as the
guest OF his brother-in-law, Mr.. ii. Mel.
Green.
President Alderman 10 looking well,
and is being most cordially greeted by
his hosts of friends in his native city.
He was seen last evening by a Messenger
reporter who learned from him that the
outlook for the University is very bright
and full of promise for the future.
What is the attendance at the Univer-
sity this session? the reporter asked him.
I'VE have the largest attendance In our
history since the war;" he replied "and
this statement is exclusive OF the sum-
mer school, The actual total, If l re-
member correctly ia $40, subdivided MS
follows: Academic students, 2S8; law and
medicine, 90; summer school 1872; dupli-
Gates, II. Ten States are represented"
Reporter: What is the prevailing spirit
OF the University?
Dr. Alderman: The prevailing spirit is
loyalty and self help. The University is
| the purest democracy within our borders.
All sorts and conditions of boys are there
wealthy men are there and we gladly well
come them, for they need education too,
but an overwhelming majority are there
as the result Of some sacrifice at home.
Over one-half are the sons Of farmers. Fif-
| ty-eight supported themselves wholly last
term by labor while pursuing their stu
dies, and twenty in part. Thirty-nine are
| living on borrowed money or money earn
| en- before coming to college. They do all
sorts of honorable labor from clerking
| in the village stores to waiting on the
| table in Commons hall. They are Of
| all parties, creeds and conditions and al
| rise or fall as they have character and
| brains. The University desires to help
| any worthy poor boy who seeks an edu-
cation"
Reporter: What does. the talk about
| free scholarships mean?
DR.. Alderman: There are no free
| scholarships in the University except
| those given under the law Of 1887 to
cripples, ministers, ministers sons and
teachers All the other scholarships are
paid for by private philanthropy and
where they are controlled by the Univer-
sity are given to poor boys alone Of ability
and character During the last twenty
years the University has aided 800 boys
| by loans and scholarships, the loans COM
| ing exclusively from the Deems and Lake
| funds"
Reporter: What are the most notable
| features Of the term?
| DR.. Alderman: "The large attendance,
| the hearty relations between the faculty
| and students, the success Of Commons
| hall and the revival OF interest in the
| literary societies"
| Reporter: Is the University in any dan
ger from the incoming Legislature?
| Dr. Alderman: II think not in the least.
| This Legislature will take high ground
1 on all educational matters. Besides, this
| is their University. 1t is moving nobly
| forward with no antagonism against any
| thing except ignorance, with peace and
| good will toward all similar institutions,
| and it fears no harm from a Legislature
| Of North Carolinians. The University's
/ proudest title is the head of the public
| school system. and in this connection
| it rejoices that the leading towns of the
| State are extending their course so as
| to form closer relations between them and
| the higher institutions. Wilmington is
| especially to be congratulated both upon
| the efficiency of its public schools and its
/ constant advance toward higher work.
1 1t has been my good fortune to have been
| associated in many forms of educational
| work with your able superintendent,
Prof Noble who is esteemed all over the
/ State not only as a practical manager
| but as thoughtful student with correct
| ideas OF educational work"
| DR.. Alderman has been in charge of
the University since August 18th. but
his formal Inauguration as president will
not take place until January 9th. when
that occasion will be made a function Of
more than ordinary interest and impress
| siveness. The next Governor, the Hon.
Daniel l.. Russell, who is University
| alumnus, viii induct the new president
| into office. An elaborate programme will
| be arranged for the event, and large
| attendance of the alumni and friends Of
| the University are expected to be present.
Among the DISTINGUISHED visitors will be
! the eminent Dr William r. Harper. pres
ident of the Chicago University, and DR..
| J. L. NJ. Curry, president of the Board
| Of Trustees of the Peabody fund. An
| elaborate programme is being arranged
| for the occasion.