The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1906-07-20
BOARD MET.
In Annual Session IN Interest
Of OAC-Things That
Were Done.

H.
idency of the State College at the
end of the coming college year. The
plan is entirely voluntary on the
part of DR.. Catch and is said to
have been contemplated for some
time. The first public mention of
it occurred at Wednesdays meet
ing of the board of regents, when
a resolution embodying the an
nouncement of his purpose and ap-
propriately expressing the sentiment
of the board toward DR.. Catch
was proposed and unanimously
adopted. The resolution is as fol-
lows:
Whereas, after an illustrious
career of half a century as an edu-
Gator, DR.. Thomas M. Catch, the
illustrious president of the Oregon
Agricultural College, has expressed
a desire to retire in the near future
from the headship of this institu-
ton, and
Whereas, it seldom falls sto the lot
of man as an educator to write
record so replete with years and so
rich in honor and lustre as is the
distinguished service of 50 consecu-
tive years rendered by DR.. Catch
as follows, towit: Professor of
natural science, University of the
Pacific, Santa Clara, California.
1856; principal Santa Cruz public
schools, 1857; professor of mathe.
matics University of the Pacific,
1883: professor ntlanguages
University of the Pacific, 1859;
president Willamette University,
Salem, Oregon, 1860 to 1866: prin-
cipal Santa Cruz public schools,
1866; principal Portland Academy,
1867 to 1870; president Willamette
University, 1870 to 1880; princi-
pal Wasco Academy, 1881 to 1887;
president University of Washing
ton, 1887 to 1895; professor Of po-
litical and social science, Univer-
sity of Washington, 1895 to 1897;
president Oregon Agricultural Col
lege, 1897 to the present time; and
therefore be it
Resolved, that we, the board of
regents of the Oregon Agricultural
College, in annual meeting assembl-
| ed, renewing our confidence and
faith in DIR. Catch as an illustrious
and wise educator. learn with deep
regret of his expressed purpose of
seeking retirement from the head
ship OF this institution, and that
it is only with the greatest reluct-
ance that we consent thereto; and
be it further
Resolved, that we recommend
DR.. Catch to the trustees of the
Carnegie Foundation as one whose
notable service 10 the cause of edu-
cation makes him >plcuous ex-
temple of an educator whose career
deserves recognition and reward,
and that, in the name fthe Oregon
Agricultural College and acting fo1
it, we request that DR.. Catch be
admitted to the privileges and
benefits of the said Carnegie Found
alton.
| The presentation of the reso1u
ton was matter of complete sur.
prise to most of the members of the
board. It brought out regretful
and eulogistic remarks by many
members. notable among whom
were Governor Chamberlain, w
P. Ready, Mrs. Waldo and Cap
tain Apperson, all of whom paid
high tribute to the talents. wisdom
and achievements of DR.. Catch as
an educator. There was mention
of his long service and of the
lgreat growth that has almost uni
versally attended institutions thai
have passed under his administra.
ton. AS is we'll known, William
ette University under his reigr
Igrew to be a big university with ar
attendance of more than 400. al
most double what it has ever beer
since that time, the University OF
Washington doubled in enrolment
attaining an enrolment of 600 anc
receding by large per cent aftel
| his retirement. and that the State
College of Oregon with its unequal
led growth during his time from
I317 to 735, the present figures be.
ing more than double that of any
other institution in Oregon.
l DR.. Gatch's present plan is thu
result of his own personal inclina
tion. At the last Commencement
. time he attained the half century
mark in his career as an educator
the so years having followed eacl
other in active service and without
a break. 1t is doubtful if there is
another record so remarkable in th'
country. Others may have servet
as long. and with as great distinc
ton, but few if any have served
each year consecutively, withou
ever being out of the harness. Te