The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-05-11
ABLE LECTURE IN
HILLMAN PRRLORS
Dr. Penniman Discusses the
Problems of Education
MAKES A FINE IMPRESSION
Dean Of Faculty Of the University Of
Pennsylvania Says the Unlver-
slty And Business World
Are Inseparable.
MAKES A FINE IMPRESSION

faculty Of the University of Pennsylvania,
delivered Il lecture in the parlors of the
Hotel Hlllman last night before an au-
dIence that was most appreciative though
rather small. His subject was "univer-
sity Training as a Preparation for a
Business Career"
DIR. Pennman is a pleasing speaker,
graceful and polished. He treated his
theme in a broad and impartial manner
so that his hearers were Immediately Inn
pressed with the fact that he did not
come with superior advice to offer but
merely to give his views on university
education as a preparation for business
life, and also the phases of modern col
lege training In contrast to conditions
prevailing half a century ago in practical
" every great institution of learning in
the world.
DIR. Penniman was introduced to his au-
dience by Rufus N. Rhodes of the educa-
tional committee of the Commercial club.
who made a few happy remarks regard
ing education in general and what he
called the snperciious attitude of the
Ogden party toward the south.
Concerning Problems.
In opening his address DR.. Penniman
said that he wished to give a dispassion-
ate view of the problems that confronted
the universities of today in their efforts
to train young men for the battles Of
life. The gist of his lecture was the close
relation of the academic and the business
life.
DR.. Pennyman said that the much dis
cussed problems of the south were the
problems of the entire country and not
the problems of any one section. He said
that he was tired of so much talk about
the education of the negro and was of
the opinion that the work before the uni
versities of the country Is to educate the
white man. The value of a university
training Is largely matter of clrcum-
stances. A college education may be a
good thing for one man and perhaps a
deteriorating force in another, but In the
main no matter what were the life pur
poses of a man, he could derive advan-
tage and help from four years spent at
some university.
Graduate is the Debtor.
The speaker said that a great many
graduates get out of college under the
impression that because they have a d.
ploma the world owes them a satisfac-
tory recompense, when in reality the col
lege graduate owes the worrd debt of
obligation and gratitude for affording
him the advantages of college training.
He said that some of the talk about the
evils of a college education Is true, for
| hot cd
ucation cannot do, but yet the time spent
In academic halls is sure to be of bene-
| fit to the business man In after life, even
though he may not see the advantages
at the time. The business man needs a
college education more than ever before,
for the modern financier and merchant
is man of culture and must employ lis
intellect just as much In his chosen line
of work as If he follows one of the So
called professions.
DIR. Penniman said that from personal
observation and long study of the SUBJ
ject he was convinced that there are
three principal features of the subject
under consideration. The first of these
is that a business man needs a college
education to insure his success In the
world. The second is that our UNIVERSE
Ties are recognizing more and more the
need of special training for a business
career and the third is that actual ex-
perience and observation count most IN
all avocatlons, although a college edu-
cation is Of great advantage in helping
young man to apply his experience
properly In his business.
Ideals of College Education.
The speaker then took up the ideals of
college education, saying that great
stress is now being laid on physical devel-
opment, although the technical side Of
university training is absorbing the
greatest attention of education. He told
Of the commercial courses established in
the great universities and the efforts
made to provide specialized training for
young men who have decided to enter the
business world. Expert accounting, the
management and control OF railways,
and the direction Of giant industries are
all playing a conspicuous part In the uni
versity training of the day. Fortunate
to be found In modern universities. for
the theorst is a man of little weight
in time when action counts. The spir-
itual ideal of college life is also appre-
by the desire to specialize, especially