The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-30
NAY CONE HERE.
Prof. Penny, Dean of Music, Of
University,
Has Received a Call from Wash
burn College.
BIG ART CENTER.
Design to Make Topeka Note
worthy in Music and Art.
"Washburn College" Nay Be-
come university of Topeka. .

George B. Penny. of the Kansas State
university, may resign his position there
to accept the position of head of the
school OF music and fine arts of Wash
burn college, which as announced in the
State Journal some days ago Is TO be
established.
The trustees of Washburn have ten
dered the place to Prof. Penny, who
now has the subject under advisement
He has not yet accepted. and any an
nouncement to that effect is premature
His present position as dean Of the fac
ulty Of music of the state university is
an important one, and he cannot afford
to make a change unless assured of a
broader field ana along larger lines.
Prof Penny said today: I realize the
growing Importance of Topeka as n
musical and art center, and if l should
decide to come it will be because l rec
ognize d bigger field here by reason Of
Topeka as a metropolis and the capital
Of the state and with musical and art
associations already organized and well
equipped needing only TO be brought
into a harmonious and powerful CEN
traiizatiOn. L would not be content to
simply manage q college conservatory
of music My work in this city for the
last two years directing the Choral
union and meeting your people has beeh
of much pleasure and satisfaction i
nave seen the possibilities. IL NcAAtS
here. it would mean a life work.
must create a great art center. 1t must
be near the heart of the city and her
citizens. [ would like assurances THAI
the proposed club building be erected
ana with It an addition or third story TO
be devoted to music and the fine arts.
could not consent to conduct merely
music department in Washburn.
would expect it to as we'll a fine
arts college Of Topeka and Kansas. The
project I have in mind is a large one.
its development q life service. 1 cannot
decide in a. day to give up my work CT
thirteen years at the state university.
and yet / feel that in event of my COM
ing the work win not be lost as it has
been in the state and for the state in
which 1 expect to remain 1 love my
work at Lawrence. and if I should make
the change it would be for the reasons
named"
Prof Penny is very well known in
Topeka, having been employed by the
Topeka Choral union as the leader for
their various entertainments. He ranks
high among the musical directors of the
country, and would no doubt build up
the music and art department of Wash
burn to a front rank among the insIitu-
lions of the west and make Topeka a
nota bic art center
The. departments of vocal and instru-
mental music. painting, drawing, elocu-
ton. Oratory. architecture and similar
branches viii all be combined in the
Penny will be the head If he will accept.
Mrs. George Perry Grimsley, head of
the department of vocal music, and Miss
Helen Ruth ingalls,. head of the depart
ment of instrumental music, Will be re-
tanned, and several more instructors will
be engaged for the musical department,
which has been growing very rapidly
during the past two years.
Several other changes have been de-
cided upon by the Washburn trustees
D. L. McEachron is granted a professor
ship. and the title of dean of the col
lege. He will be in charge of the details
of administration. under President
Plass. Miss Charlotte NJ. Leavitt is
made professor of English literature, and
will be relieved Of the duties of pre-
ceptress OF the girls department Her
place as preceptress is taken by Mrs
+. B. Davis, wife of Pref. Davis of the
department of chemistry. Prof. and Mrs.
Davis will make their home at Holbrook
hall
Miss Emma NJ Mexican has resigned
as instructor in French and Miss Fran
ces A. Sunier, instructor in French at
the University of Iowa, has been elect
ed to fill the vacancy.
1t is understood the authorities have
under consideration the change of name
of .'Washburn college to THE Univer-
sity of Topeka" and that there is no
charter provision that would interfere
to that end.