Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19
VIRGINIA..

BUlOrvIHs
ANY one who will visit the southern
colleges and Schools" said recent writer.
will find in them generation of stu
dents. alert, vigorous manly and tremen-
dously in earnest. 1t is evident that a.
race Of exceptional moral earnestness and
mental vigor Is now growing up In the
south, and that it Is sure to be heard
from" That would have pleased Thomas
Jefferson, who said, concerning the uni
versity he founded, "Our views are catho-
lie for the Improvement Of our country by
science"
Education in the Old Dominion started
with William and Mary College," which,
with the exception of Harvard University
is the Oldest college in the United States
There are those who believe that the in
f1uence of this venerable institution upon
the Union has been even greater than that
of its northern predecessor Granted a
charter in 1893, it was the alma mater Of
many of Virgnia's leading men, and in the
person of Thomas Jefferson is the origi-
nator of the University of Virginia, which
in turn has been regarded the source
of all later educational inspiration in the
state.
There is In Virginia at the moment tre-
mendous force in the wave of educational
revival. The cry Is for universal education
and the results Of the clamor are found in
all phases of Institutional activity From
the universities, the colleges, the secondary
schools, the intermediate and primary de-
partments comes the hum Of a new activity
which attracts both sexes and all classes.
Science and letters are being promoted In
the universities; thorough and rigid train
ing in all branches Is becoming the aim of
the colleges character as well as increased
mentality is now the aim Of the academies,
and in the private schools an awakening to
modern methods keeps pace with an agita-
ton which has brought the public founda-
lions already into envfable excellence. 1t
would seem that the public consciousness Is
focused upon certain phases or aspects OF
education which have formerly escaped at
tention, and zeal and fervor for enlarged
opportunities has become an issue with all
classes.
Authorities state that general improve
ment is going on in elementary schools, and
1t is notable fact that not single higher
institution of learning in Virginia last year
failed to report increased attendance. From
top to bottom, or, as some educators claim,
from bottom to top, the whole lump of edu-
cation has been leavened, and development
throughout Is shown to be remarka BILE. Prof.
Bruce R. Payne Of the University of Vir-
ginia points out that the present awakening
In the state exemplif1es the truth that
Education is unified and organically re-
lated process from the lowest to the high
est-from the kindergarten to the univer-
Sity." Cooperation of public spirited men,
leagues of loyal women and bands of ex-
all phases Of education.
The exhibit of the Virginia schools at the
recent ST. Louis exposition embraced the
primary public schools Roanoke College,
Hampden-Sidney College, the Randolph
Macon system of schools and colleges and
the University of Virginia. There were
also small exhibits from Hollins Institute,
1--we
lege for Young Ladies. In many ways the
distinctive character of Virginia education
was manifested and the alertness of tn,
leaders of thought made evident. Compre-
hensive. interesting and complete, the ex'
hibits made an excellent report of the pres
ent movement in the Old Dominion.
Prof s. c. Mitchell of Richmond College,
speaking of the progress Of education in
Virginia, says:
1.-THE first decade in the twentieth century
will perhaps be best known in Virginias
history by the progress of popular educa-
ton. The large factors in this progress are
the present aggressive state board of edu-
cation, the experienced superintendent Of
public instruction, Mr.. j. d. Eggleston, and
the five admirable inspectors and examin-
ers. the initiative of our chief executives.
the responsiveness Of the legislature, the
leadership of our editors and the united ef-
forts of the citizenship in the Cooperative
Education Association, together with the
two hundred and fifty local school improve
ment leagues. These factors, working in
harmony, have wrought marvellous prog
ress in education in Virginia. For instance,
in 1870 there were In all the schools in the
state, private and public only $1,000 chill
dren: in 1905 there were enrolled in the
public schools alone 361. 772. while many pri-
vate schools were crowded to their utmost
capacity. The school term has been stead
lily heightened. SO that in many counties
during the coming year the session will be
not less than eight months"
The father of this popular education Is
Dr.William Henry Ruffner, now in the
eighty-third year of his age. but still able
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