The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-03-18
KIRKLAND SPEAKS
At ALUMNI DINNER
Interesting Gathering at the Y,
M, C, A, Last Night
VANDERBlLT'S INFLUENCE
Twenty-Five Members of the Vanderbilt
Alumni Association Were Given
Banquet-John w. Tom
Iinson Presided.

About twenty-five members of the Van
derbi1t Alumni association of this city met
Chancellor j. IL. kirkland of that uni
versity at the Young Mems Christian as
ISOLATION last night around the dinner
table and enjoyed one Of the most pleas
ant affairs that has been held by the
former students of the university for a
long time.
An excellent repast was served by the
Association Spa" after which the ad-
dress of the evening, 1.-THE Place of the
Vanderbilt Man in the Life of the South, 3"
was given by Chancellor kirkland. John
w .Tomlinson, president of the Alumni
association, introduced the speaker with
a few felicitous remarks, giving the dis
tinguished guest a cordial welcome.
Chancellor Kirkland said Il am al
ways glad to meet with Vanderbilt men.
In all parts OF the country, from Texas to
Tennessee, and from Georgia to Ken
lucky, / meet our men in the forefront.
There is a personality that charaeterizes
the students of our institution that seems
to remain with our men, whether of the
present or former years. The spirit OF
Vanderbilt is the same yesterday, today
and tomorrow. When Comomdore Van
derbilt founded the university he said:
If Vanderbilt shall contribute to
strengthen the ties that bind all parts
of our country together it shall accom-
plish what l hope for it.
Among other things that our institution
nttf m
loyal TO self, to state and to nation, but
above all they are true men, vanderbilt
is recognized by all institutions for its
thoroughness Her men are leaders In all
professions and walks of life. A diploma
gained from her means years of hard,
consistent efforts. Her high standards
have given her an advantage over most
southern institutions by the entire coun-
try. When the preparatory classes were
abolished by my efforts in connection
with other gentlemen we took place
| that belongs to few universities Of the
south today Every department is on a
high standard that means much in the
life of the south In the future. In re-
| port .of the medical schools and colleges
of the country that was published last
| year there we're but three institutions
| that had graduates that did not fail in
a single state examination. These three
were Harvard, another that l cannot re-
| call at this moment and Vanderbilt, thus
showing that every department of the
university has been keyed up to the high
est possible attainment.
Vanderbilt Influence.
Il say that the lessons learned in col
lege are still alive in the minds, the
hearts and the lives of her former stu.
dents. The influence that permeates her
atmosphere is spread all over our fair
southland and our country. l find Wander
bilt men acting as leaders in every sec.
ton of the land. There are great OPP
portunities before the men of the south
today, apd our men are being called upon
to fill the places as never before. My
desk is filled each day with, applications
for Vanderbilt men to come and take the
leadership that Is theirs by right of eff
fort. There is New South say wha
you will to the contrary. She is coming
| into her own as never before, ana mel
men are being called upon to meet th'
cry of the hour as never before TAX
this grand city of birmingham and th
immense district with it's possibilities ant
opportunities. 1t is today setting the price
of iron for the world and will soon lea,
in the production of the same. What doe
this mean to you men who have lief
your alma mater? 1t means that you mus
assume the place that your great univer
sity has prepared for you. The worl'