The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-16
DIR. Swain's Announcement Consider
able of a Surprise in Spite of Pre-
vious Talk of the Matter.
TO THE STUDENTS
BACCALAUREATE SERMONS AT WA
BASH AND STATE UNIVERSITY.
Address by DIR. j. r. ID. John, of De
Pauw-Dr. Kane on "Secrets of
Power"-Other Colleges.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind, June 15.-The an
nouncement of DR.. Swain, last night, at
the senior reception, that he had decided
to accept the presidency of Swarthmore
College came as a surprise although it was
known ttat he was hesitating as to a de-
termination. Only a few days before he
had made up his mind to remain with In
diana, but on his return from Kansas, on
Thursday, letters were received officially
notifying him that the conditions he had
made as to going had been complied with,
and yesterday the Swarthmore trustees
wired insisting on an immediate reply.
The result was the official announcement
last night.
The trustees of the university have not
yet held a formal session and will not un-
til tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock, so
successor of DR.. Swain has in no way been
formally considered, but it can be stated,
with little or no doubt, that Dr. William
Lowe Bryan probably will be the next
president of the university. This conclu-
sion grows out of the almost unanimous
consensus of faculty, students and alumni
that he is the logical man for the place,
and individually the trustees so express
themselves. DR.. Bryan absolutely refuses
TO discuss his probable election, but il is
known that he is willing to accept the po-
sition, although he does not court the
honor and will in no way take any steps
that will influence his election. In 1893.
when Dr. Swain was elected overtures
were made to DR.. Bryan as to his possible
election, but he then absolutely refused to
consider an acceptance, even if offered
him. Now he simply says if the trustees
see fit to select him and il is TO the best
interest of the institution he will accept
1t now seems that the trustees will take
such action before they adjourn on
Wednesday, 1t is known that DR. Swain
regards him as just the man for the place
William Lowe Bryan is a native Monroe
county man and grew up here. He was
born about three miles east of Blooming
ton, made his way through school and col
lege by working on the farm and teaching
and was graduated from Indiana Univer-
sity in 1884 He Is about forty-four years
old. and in 1889 he married Lothe Lowe of
Indianapolis. His parents were of Scottish
descent, and his father was a preacher
in the United Presbyterian Church, of
which DR.. Bryan is very devout member
At once after his graduation DR.. Bryan
began teaching as an instructor in Indiana
University, which work he has kept up
two years at different times in Europe and
a year at Clark University, where he took
his doctor of philosophy degree. He first
taught English, but for number of years
has been al the head Of the department Of
philoogy and also psychology and peda-
gogy. He is one of the most profound
thinkers and best platform orators ever
connected with the institution. He is a
man of democratic ways and always has
been very popular. Soon after the election
of Dr. Swain, DR.. Bryan was made vice
president of the university which position
he now holds. He is a man OF firm convic-
tons, but is conservative and always has
been the right-hand man Of DR.. Swain
He has received a number OF offers from
other institutions, but always preferred TO
stay here even at less salary.
His brother. Prof. Albert Bryan. was
president of Vincennes University until a
few years ago. when he was elected presi-
dent of the State Agricultural College OF
Washington. at Pullman in that State,
and he also is very successful educator.