Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-21
GREATER COLUMBIAN
Alumni Association Pledges
Fund for One New Building.
PLANS CONSIDERED
PRESIDENT NEEDHAM'S ADDRESS
ON NEEDS OF UNIVERSITY.
Reference to Change in Name of In
stitution-Increase in Stu
dent List.
PLANS CONSIDERED

Greater Columbian was the sentiment
that animated every one of the 800 or more
of the graduates of Columbian University
at the annual meeting of the Alumni AssO-
citation at the university hall Saturday
night. The members of the association were
told of plans that are being made for the
enlargement of the university and the
changing its name All of the plans were
approved and the hearty support of the
alumni assured. President Needham ex-
planned what the officers of the university
expect to do in the near future and how
soon the accompis hment of their desires
may be realized.
The meeting was called 10 order about
o'clock by President A. 8. Worthington.
Prof. Harry l.. Hodgkins secretary of the
association. read the minutes of the last
meeting and presented his annual report.
Mr.. John Is. Larner, the treasurer, present
ed his annual report also, containing a
statement of the finances of the organiza-
ton. Mr.. Worthington then stated that
there was to be a departure from the usual
order of business Ordinarily the election
of officers would follow the reading of the
reports but on the present occasion he
would introduce President Needham. who
would tell the graduates what it was
proposed to do with the university.
Upon this introduction DIR. Needham
daily in the name of the university and
then made a long address, illustrated with
handsomely prepared photographs.
Needs of the University.
The speaker began his address with a
statement of the needs of the university
He said that every one could help. the
graduates more than others He referred
to the changes that have been made in the
charter. by act of Congress, doing away
with the sectarian character of the fnstitu-
ton and making it possible for men of any
religious belief to serve as members of the
faculty on the board of trustees. The
board of trustees he said. had been en-
larged by the addition of several very dis
tinguiShed members.
In going to Congress for change in the
charter Dr. Needham said the trustees
thought it would also be an excellent thing
to secure permission to change the name of
the institution. change In the name Is
made necessary, he declared, by the con-
fusion that frequently occurs by reason OF
the fact that Columbia University of New
York has name so nearly like the local
institution. No name has yet been select
ed. however, he said, although two have
been suggested. These are the University
of Washington and the George Washington
University If either of these names is
adopted, or any other, he said, the name
Columbian will still be retair ed as the name
of an auxiliary organization, probably
some college connected with the university
and the diplomas given the students will set
forth the fact that the trustees Of the uni
versity grant the degrees from the universe
ty proper on the strength Of studies pur-
sued in the college. the name of the col
lege to be set forth in the diploma.
Present Enrolment
Tie necessity for greater conveniences and
better surroundings is demanded, DR.. Need
ham declared, by the growth of the univer-
cit dur bo
year embraces .440 students against ,296
last year, and the tuition fund has increased
by $4,000 during the year. This increase
will continue, he said, as the institution
grows older. He then explained the valua-
Bile features of the construction of a new
university, explaining his remarks with
views of the buildings of Oxford and Cam
bridge. England. and Harvard, Yale, Prince
ton, Pennsylvania, Lehigh. North Carolina
and Leland Stanford Universities in this
country. After exhibiting these views and
explaining the value of large grounds, the
quadrangle feature, inviting dining halls
and artistic buildings, the speaker turned
to the surroundings the greater Columbian
will have. He showed views of the park
commissions plans for the improvement of
the mall and what relation these improve
ments will have to the university when 1t
is established in its new location in Van
Ness Park. The university has four acres
OF ground there, he said, but this Is only
the nucleus OF what 1t expects to have.
mo matter what yoI may hear or what
the esteemed newspapers may say" he de-
clared, although we are in a receptive mood
toward any body of men working to develop
the educational advantages of Washington,
we will not consent that the integrity of the
Institutions corporate existence shall be i'm
paired In the least. And l wish to direct
your attention to this site and to tell you
that there is no place in Washington where
land can be bought cheaper with a better
return in the increased educational advan-
tages of the District than about this Site so
that any person with money to invest that
way may be fully aware Of the conditions"
Plans Of New Buildings.
The plans of the buildings of the univer-
sity were shown in their entirety. These in
clude the Corcoran class room on the north
dormitories on the south, gymnasium on
tho southern side of the park and three
buildings facing 18th street on the east,
these buildings to be used as the library,
memorial or administrative building and a
social or alumni building. 1t is the desire
o. the university authorities that the alumni
shall build this last-named structure and
the association was asked to raise fund
Of $15O.O0 for the work.
At the conclusion of the address OF DR..
Needham, Prof. ]. Howard Gore Prof Har-
ry L. Hodgkins. Prof. c. E. Munroe. Dean
Harry ST. George Tucker Of the law depart
ment, Dean d. X. Shute of the medical de-
partment. Dr. J. Hall Lewis and Mr.. VIM.
Bruce King of the alumni spoke briefly on