The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-10-08
THE COLLEGE OPENS.

THE COLLEGE OPENS.
Last Wednesday marked the open
ing of a new session at the Indus
trial Institute and College, and the
people of Columbus welcome most
cordially both the students and the
members of the faculty. There are
a number of new teachers this ses-
sion, and to these and TO the stu
dents who will enjoy for the first
stitution special welcome is ex-
tended. We are glad TO have them
with US, for they add materially to
the welfare of the city from many
viewpoints. The teachers occupy
prominent positions in local literary
and musical circles, and together
with their pupils are ever ready to
appear in public, and entertain the
people at concerts and recitals where
in their talents and accomplishments
are displayed for the enjoyment and
edification of those who may gather
at the college chapel when these en-
tertainments take place.
The college has been potent fac
tor in bringing about the advance
ment of Columbus from slow-going
country town to modern, up-to-date
city that keeps abreast with the
times not only in municipal improve
ments, but in literature, music and
art. Few cities of its size in the
country possess so many highly-cul-
tured men and women as Columbus,
and nowhere is there a greater pre-
MUM placed upon education, which
is the acknowledged fulcrum of con-
tentment and prosperity in any COM
munity. Although the college does
not claim to espouse the cause OF
commercialism the institution is not
without its benefits from business
standpoint. Counting teachers, Off
GERS and students, there are close on
to one thousand people connected
with the college, and these people
must of course be fed and clothed
They are here three-fourths of the
year, and the garments which they
wear. as we'll as the food which they
consume. is sold by local merchants
In addition to this, new buildings are
being almost constantly erected, and
carpenters find lucrative employment
in their construction as we'll as on
repair work.
Hon. H. L. Whitfield is entering
upon his second year as president of
the college, and the wisdom which
he has displayed in the management
of its affairs shows that he is the
right man in the right place. Mr..
Whitfield is no figure head. He
showed when State superintendent of
education that he had great capac-
ity for hard work, and since assum-
ing the presidency of the local insti-
tuition this capacity seems to have
tended all the repairs made on the
buildings last summer, and as con-
sequence the State got good job.
The material used was the best, and
in the actual performance of the
work the specifications were carried
out to the letter. Mr. Whitfield main
tains general surveillance over the
whole school, and knows what is go
ing on in every department. He has
efficient officers and competent in
structors. but believes that it is the
duty of the president to keep in close
tonch with both teachers and stu
dents and TO lend timely sugges-
ton and a helping hand wherever
needed. Not only his mind, but his
heart and soul, are in the work, ana
il is safe to say that the college, I'D
all its present gradeuT, is only the
nucleus of a great and glorious 1nsu-
tuition which the future years VIII
hiring. The school will not only grow
as far as physical properties are con-
cerned. but its scope will be broad
ened and it's moral and religious IN
nuences felt throughout the State
The new session starts out auspl-
ciously. and The Dispatch hopes and
bellies that it will be in every way the
most prosperous in the history Oh
the institution.
orrp cI1RScR TPTION CONTEST