The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-08

built While DR.. Winston was president
the money was subscribed for the beau
tiful Alumni Building that is nearing
completion. Or. Alderman has the
proud satisfaction of seeing many i'm
provements and adding to the University
elifees the handsome Carr building the
gift of Hon. Julian S. Carr which was
formally presented Wednesday, There
are other rich University men in North
Carolina who will doubtless follow until
in North Carolina it comes to pass that
no well to do alumnus of the University
can feel that he can die respectfully with
out leaving a bequest in his will to his
alma mater The State will continue it's
appropriations and make them as liberal
as Justice to the public schools will per-
nit. but the growth and expansion of the
University must always be largely depen-
dent upon the generous liberality of it's
alumni and friends. The past few years
has shown that when appeals have been
made. many of the friends of means have
RESPONDED and / hope DR.. Venable will
be able to continue this good work In
the great responsibility that devolves
operation of the host of University men
all over the State.
The following is DR.. Venable's official
letter of acceptance:
June 9th, 1900
Hon r. H. Battle,
Secretary and Treasurer:
Dear Sir: ] feel deeply the honor
done me by the Trustees of the University
At the same time | recognize the grave
responsibility which is thus laid upon
me. feel however, that can not refuse
the University any service which she
may ask Of me. tt
/ therefore accept the office, and with
heart full of love for the University shall
truly endeavor to do my whole duty.
With much respect.
f. p. VENABLE.
This brief letter is in excellent taste
and will commend itself to the public 1t
is characteristic of the man-frank, di-
rect, plain spoken
The election of Or. Venable to the
presidency is a wide departure from the
policy that has heretofore prevailed in
the selection Of a president His support
ers advocated his election on the ground
that the time has come when scholar
ship and professional standing alone
ought to weigh in the election Of presi-
dent. Heretofore, in the case of DR..
Battle, DR.. Winston and DR.. Alderman,
who are the equals of Dr. Venables IN
scholarship and professional standing. the
trustees demanded also that the presi-
dent should be n trained public speak
err, with special equipment to arouse the
public mind and stimulate interest in
public education. While having made
reputation among chemists and scientists
and scholars, DR.. Venable is not special
ly gifted in public speaking, having
never gone out among the people except
at assemblages of doctors or scientists,
when he discussed scientific topics.
Speaking of the change, trustee said:
'The time has come when we need
president chiefly for his professional
work and his scientific training. DR.. Ven
able will make a fine executive and sue
coed in every point of University work.
And that's why he was elected.
To these duties, he must add the larger
duty also of lending himself to the earn
est and hearty cooperation of all educa-
tional forces of the State, making the
University look to the struggling boy in
the far-off mountains as a beacon of
light to him and such as he upon whom
the future of the State will largely rest.
In his work in the University, in the
scientific societies, and among the people
he will have the most fallow field that
the University has known in its history,
for it is more popular today than ever
and the tide OF educational revival is
ready to be taken at the flood.
l regret that space will not permit
reference to several Of the ablest young
men who graduated this year There
were a number of proud parents here
to witness the receiving of honors by
their sons, but Mr.. and Mrs. John w.
Bryan, of Goldsboro, had the greatest
cause for happiness in the graduation of
their son, Mr.. VIM. f. Bryan, who grad
uated summa cum laude, a distinction
that has not before been won in five
years. Mr.. Bryan has already accepted
position as instructor in Bingham
School, Asheville. He is made of the
right stuff.
The other most priced honor was woD
by Mr.. David Preston Parker, of John
ston county--the Wiley p Mangum medal
for the best grafton by member OF the
senior class. This is an honor always
contested for by the best orators in the
class, and Mr.. Parker had to earn It in
honorable and close competition.