Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-09-19
PRESIDENT PURINTON
Formally Indicted into his New
Position.

A Simple But Impressive Ceremony A
FeIicitous Address BIZ the President.
Others BY Dir. Reynolds and Col.
Cewden- Music Feature Of the Ex-
ercises Everything about the Uni
Yertity in Harmony.
When, after most gracefully per
forming the very pretty symbolism
Of presenting the keys TO his success
sor, DR.. Reynolds, who has been
acting President OF the University
during the six months interregnum
since the retirement of DR.. Ray
mond, formally introduced the new
President, DR.. Daniel b Purinton,
at the convocation exercises last
night, every one of the several hun
bred students, members of the Fac
ulty and others present, rose to their
feet in acclaim and applause.
1t was welcome such as is not
often accorded new official; and
that 1t was appreciated to the full
est extent, DR.. Purinton himself
erbally. DIS well as by the pleasure
expressed on his countenance, am
" attested. To those who partici-
ated in the demonstration accord
ed the new chief executive of the
University, it hardly seemed posi-
Bile for an administration to be
ushered in under more favorable
auspices.
From the moment he rose to his
feet to receive from his predecessor
the keys of the University, the new
President had now the attachment,
as he had long since achieved the
respect of all present.
The ceremony OF installation was
most felicitous in its simplicity and
dignifed humor. DR.. Reynolds stated
briefly the circumstances that had
devolEed upon him the duties of act
ing President, and added, that the
most pleasant of those duties, name
ly, the formal installation of his sue
cessor, had arrived. He expressed
his happiness of the anspiciousness
Of an occasion which placed the wei
fare of the University under the
guardianship of so able, tactful and
sympathetic man. Then, holding
in his hands a bunch of keys, he
turned to DR.. Purinton, who had oc-
cupied seat alone on the left of the
platform during the preceding exer-
cises.
DR. Purinton arose and stepped
forward to within few feet of where
stood his venerable predecessor, and
with bowed head listened to the few
touching words which were address
ed to him. In that bunch of keys,
said DR.. Reynolds, his successor
would find key to every depart
ment of the University: but one very
important key, he added, was MISS
ing, and that, he felt sure, the Gus
todian would never need. 1t was the
key to the hearts Of the students,
members Of the Faculty, and others
connected with and interested in the
University, !. and the doors to those
hearts had long since been opened.
ssIf they are ever elosed,' said he,
ssyou yourself will have closed them,
and it will be your duty to furnish
the key" e
He then formally introduced the
new President, VINO amid the APP
plause of those assembled, advanced
on the platform. His first utter
ances, after he had expressed his
appreciation of the hearty goodwill
manifested, revealed a sense of most
delicate humor. Singing out Of the
bunch and holding up rusty old
gentlemen said he, 81 believe /
knew him before the food. HE said it
symbolized conservatism which, he
added playtully, he thought might
still abound here ana there in hid
den corner Of the University. Con
tinuing the smile, he explained
how another key was symbolical OF
adaptabilitv; whilea thiri, "a pes
XIV little fellow" which he said might
belong to one of those Yale locks, so
convenient when you have key,
so announcement when you have not,
% LII III ORCA UuC dOCl w tIOuOiA. - liz
two former, the keys to conserva-
tism and adaptability, he promised
to use or not use according as the
exigencies of the occasion seemed to
demand. The latter he would use
to extricate students from trouble.
Notable On the program besides
DR.. Purinton was Col. w. j. w.
Cowdcn, President of the Board of
Regents. Col Cowden delivered an
address which, though brief, was re-
.plete with scholarly suggestion and
advice and was well received. Hon.
sGeorge G. Sturgiss, late President
Of the Board, was also to hare made
an address, but was unable to be
present aud participate. Instead,
he had written personal letter, con
veying sentiments Of good wishes,
to DIR. Pnrinton, which was read by
J. DR.. Reynolds to the audience.