The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-10
DR., ALDERMAN'S RETIREMENT
His Presidency of the University Has Been
Crowned With Success.
HIS ELOQUENT FAREWELL GRAFTON
In Which He Tells of the Needs of the University and Voices
His Love For His Native State, Its People, Its I'm
versity and Its Entire Educational Policy

tne university. NHeH ne was lDduSu-
rated President of the University, he used
these eloquent words:
81 have an ideal for this University.
My desire would have it a place where
there is always breath of freedom in the
air; where a sound and various learning
is taught heartily without sham or pre-
tense; where the life and the teachings
of Jesus furnish forth the ideal of right
living and true manhood; where man
ners are gentle, and courtesies daily null
tiply between teacher and taught; where
all classes and conditions and beliefs are
welcome and men may rise, in earnest
striving by the might of merit; where
wealth is no prejudice and poverty no
shame; where honorable labor, even
rough labor of the hands, is glorified by
high purpose and strenuous desire for the
clearer air and the larger view; where
there is a will to serve all high ends of a
State struggling up out of ignorance into
general power; where men are trained to
observe closely, to imagine vividly, to
reason accurately, and to have about
them some humility and some toleration :;
where, finally, Truth, shining patiently
like star, bids us advance, and we will
not turn aside
He has lived up to that ideal, and high
er praise could not be given. During his
incumbency as President there has been
an increase in numbers from 391 to 512.
There has been an increase in income OF
O Tbo c. hoe
strengthened and continuous session
developed at the University. The Law
school has been strengthened by the addi-
tion of an Associate Professor; the De-
partmont of Pharmacy has been organ
lied; the corps of instructors have been
increased in the departments of Chem
istry and Biology. The Carr building and
the Alumni building have been erected;
the Library and Chapel remOdelled, and
many changes made in the beauty and
dignity of the campus and the buildings;
and the building of system of water
works. 1t is true to say that perhaps
the most distinguishing mark of Presi-
dent AIderman'S career as an executive
has been his creation of a unanimity of
purpose and action among the faculty, a
high spirit of loyalty affection and cour-
tesy among the students and a faith in
his ability TO lead to greater things on
the part of all departments of the Uni
yersity. The unanimity with which facui-
ty and students sought to have him re-
main at the institution is unusual in col
lege history in America. The University
under his administration following the
impulses in that direction given to it by
Battle and Winston has been kept true
to the interest of public education. 1t
has been close to the teachers; it has
been close to the people and appreciative
of the fact that it rests upon popular
necessity and popular favor. President
Alderman has been among the leaders in
educational matters outside of the Uni
versity giving of his speech and counsel
to every movement looking to better ed
ucational life. At the same time the
standards of scholarship have been main
tanned and advanced and the administra-
tion of the institution marked by business
ability and attention to details. There
has been skillful exploitation of its re-
sources, on the platform, in the press,
and in all legitimate ways.
The Alumni meeting on Wednesday
CNGRlUS III UcIIdlu l1dll was o'Sh"i
one 1t was largely attended Refresh
ments were served. Col. Thos. kenan
presided, e. K. Graham was Secretary.
The secretary presented report of the
extensive movement which has been on
foot sometime to thoroughly organize
the alumni throughout the State. The
plan is to have a local association in every
county. The plan so far has proved a
success. Talks on the movement ana
general topics were made by Col. Kenan,
Dr. Alderman, w. j. Peele DR.. +. L.
Venable, Dr. X. p Battle, DR.. John Man
ming, Judge Fred Phillips, Perrin Busbee,
J. Crawford Biggs and others. These as
socatons are calculated to do much good
not only in bringing the alumni together
and keeping alive their zeal for the alma
mater, but in making them compact,
working force in education, lending their
earnest influence for the betterment of
public schools of every sort from the
kindergarten to the University. In almost
every community where progress has been
made for better schools, University alum
nj have been among the leaders, but they
have not been an organized, compact
force. The plan to organize them in this
age pre- eminent in organization is one
which if carried out, would not only
strengthen the University, but would
bless the whole State as well. j. ID.