New-York tribune., 1908-05-05
MIR. DAVIS INSTALLED
Normal College an Gala array to
WeIcOme NezC President

The Normal College was in gala array yesIeIutS-
All the students white frOcks beneath thelr
black gowns, with lavender ribbons, white ana
lavender being the coOrs of the college, and three
thousand visiting high school girls were dressed IN
the same way. but without the gowns The VIII
dows of the chapel all filed with plants and
the platform was bower of palms ana mowers
The college. which has been without head for
two years. welcoming its new president
George Samler Davis. The occasion was the hrsl
presidential installation that the college mas ever
SEEN for when DR.. Thomas Hunter now president
emeritus. became it's head it was not college,
and there was no thought OF installation when he
entered upon his duties in few rented rooms at
Broadway and 4th street.
The occasion was further s:gnalized by the pres
the platform the representatives OF vari-
educational departments which have not here
tofore worked together In the harmony that might
be desired. 1t seemed if the Normal College,
after the stormy waters through which she has
lately passed, coming into port and entering
upon a brighter and more brilliant future. That
this in fact. the case. indicated by many
of the speeches Henry II. Sherman, chairman OF
the executive committee of the college, said that
Mr.. Davis splendidly equipped to guide the
college along its lines of development one OF
which would be the harmonizing of the City Col
lege and the Normal College and the Training
School for Teachers. not 10y consolidation. but as
separate entities under one board Of management
That this hoped for harmony does not mean con-
solidaton also distinctly indicated.
said DR.. William H. Maxwell. Il predict that
it will become an annex any other institu
tion. 1t will remain for the immediate future, and
far fer all time, separate.
independent institution for the higher education of
women. Here in New YORK feel that separate
institutions furnish the most favorable conditions
for the higher education of both men and women
Dr.. Hunter said that the talk of consolidation
had been the of the long interregnum. as
no outsider with a great name would accept the
nv aI-
expressed himself eInphaticaiIy against cO-eduCa-
ton. saying that while ii worked well in small
places, it dangerous II a great city
President John II. Finley of the City College al
Iuded to the happy occasion marriage. by
which the Normal College was secured unto the
City College as a daughter-in-Iaw. the new presi-
dent being 4 of the latter institution
"One is not permitted to congratulate the bride.
he said but since the object of education is said
TO be to enable us to q good man when
see hinl-a thing important even to women
than to men. | lay congratulate her the excel
Ience OF the education which enabled her to make
this selection"
The installation ceremonies began with the entry
of the trustees of the college with the faculty and
guests all in caps and gowns the procession being
led by A Emerson Palmer secretary Of the Board
of Education. As they seated the
students sang 'Israfel." after which the Bishop
Coadjutor of New York the Right Rev. David II
Greer offered prayer. and Rabbi Henry H. ScnuI-
told of the long search for president and how
the trustees had at last agreed. without dissent
ing voice, upon Mr.. Davis. Mr. Sherman presented
the president-elect for installation by the president
of the Board of Education. Egerton /. Winthrop.
jr. and after he had formally accepted the
sponsibity he welcomed by Professor Edward
s Burgess, on behalf of the faculty: Miss Grace
b. Beach. behalf of the a1umnse. and Patrick
F. MCGOWAN, Acting Mayor, behalf of the city
Other addresses were made by Howard J. Rogers.
First Assistant Commissioner Of Education Of New
York State: Dr. Maxwell and DR.. Finley, and then
the venerable president emeritus presented the
keys and seal of the college the incoming prosi-
dent. with the words
May the Almighty give YOU health and strength
and power bear the great burden this institu-
tion carry 1t to higher planes of usefulness
DIR. Hunter had been greeted with prolonged
cheers when he to speak and the pres-
dent was cheered so loudly and so long that it
minutes before he could proceed with his
inaugural address.
In this address he Foreshadowed the larger future
of the college by alIudng 10 the need of better
equipment and a building TO meet the demands
not only of a growing population. but OF an in
creasinS desire for education the part of the
young women of the city In conclusion he said:
This college i'll its curriculum and organization
now ranks with other collegiate institutions What
it lacks in equipment the people of this municipal
ity. who have maintained IT long, will generously
supply. 1t is deep rooted in their affections 1t
has able faculty, numerous and intensely loyal
body of alumn9 and a devoted and ambitious corps
of students. These elements that will make its
future success assured and will enable us who now
have its guidance To maintain the traditions and To
realize the high ideals have been so noblv in
spred and so ably ana steadfastIy upheld by my
achieved true greatness and wrought ais enduring
monument