The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1907-10-01
ADDRESS
OF President, |. |. Il L.
Opening.
Established Institution That
HAS OutIiV8d Every PEOph-
eCy Of Failure"

Jue lluuSIIi idl IIIoLiCUtO "iAA ~
lege last Wednesday morning
President Whitfield, who w s
recently elected to that position,
had the following, among other
things, to say regarding the
work of the institution:
This morning as | stand face
to face with these hundreds Of
Mississippi's representa- tive
young women. l am overWhelm-
ed with the responsibility that |
have assumed in accepting the
presidency of this, the greatest
of Mississippi's institutions of
learning. Especially is this true
when | reflect on its wonderful
past under the guidance of my
predecessors; all of them have
wrought we'll. This largely in
creased attendance and numer-
Gus new buildings. attest to the
loyalty and ability of the dis
tinguished educator, who for
nearly a decade set its standard
and nodded its policy.
| am sure that no one in this
presence will think me fulsome
in praise when | say that no
similar institution in this coun-
trv has ever exerted the intlu-
ence for the intellectual and IN
dustrial betterment of woman
as the Industrial Institute and
College has done during the few
wears of its existence. Born in
doubt, often sustained by an
impecunious support, at times
assailed by the prejudiced and
ignorant, yet, even in its dark
est hour, it has always had the
PRAYERS and support of brave
hearts. 1t has outlived every
prophecy of failure, and today
stands out, not as an experiment,
but as an established institution
necessary to the welfare and to
the realization of the highest
ideals of the state. The Indus
trial Institute and College not
only is the pride of the people
of the State of Mississippi, but
Is admired by the people of other
states, and has become the mod
ell for institutions Of similar
character.
So my friends, with a full
knowledge of its brilliant history,
I am not insensible to the grav-
itv of the duties | have assumed
when | accepted the call for a
time to direct its destiny and to
advance it's interests. While |
feel my own weakness, yet when
| know that / am supported by
. unanimous board Of trustees,
and by a faculty, each member
of which has the keenest sollcl-
tude for everything tfectlng Its
interests and honor, | am en-
couraged to believe its high stan
dard can be maintained, and Its
usefulness to the state advanced
| shall state briefly, and with
out discussion, some of the more
important things for which 1t
shall be my ambition to have
the College to stand
First, 1 would have this fac
ulty and the people generally to
know that under my adminlstra-
ton there shall be no lowering
of the academic standard, but as
means are afforded, and the
general educational conditions
of the state permit, its currlcu-
lum shall be raised. In both
thoroughness and extent of
work, we must set the pace for
the education of the women OF
the south. 1t is an opportunity; IN
is a duty to have standard so
high and work so thorough that
a degree from this institution
shall entitle its holder to the
highest recognition of those who
place the proper estimate on
academic degrees. In so doing,
we will benefit not or y
those girls who are so fortunate
as to finish the courses offered
here, and those who are brought