The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-09-24
MIppLEBuRY coLLEeE oPENs.
President Thomas Gives Address on "Ths
Ideals Of Middlebury.g

Middlebury, sept "a The opening ex.
ercisas Of NIiddlebury college were held
yesterday morning in the Congregational
church and were largely attended After
devotional exercises President Thomas
made an address Cd rbe Ideals Of Mid
dleburyH tie stated that the attitude
Of scritieism toward American colleges
IN general which now prevails, ought o
deliver Middlebury from the spirit Of
imitation. Continuing, he said; eWe
want here our own college, Che college
which ought 70 be in response 70 the sit.
uatiou b which Middlcbury ards herself,
Ike none other East Of West, learning
from all and cordial 70 suggestions from
every source, but initiating none we
want Middlebury spirit which can be
distinguished from the temper Of enthus
iasm and ambition which prevails else
where, which we would not exchange
If we could.
think it IS agreed that we want
here a college 81 the simple life 4 plain
mans college, u which extravaganza
shall not be popular and students who
have 60 rely largely on their own en-
deavors and those who can count upon
only moderate sums for the requirement
Of education, but also snch student hab-
is and practices as viii not make them
feel ont Of place" lie said also that
AiddIsbnry must be a college which does
les fun duty BY both men and women.
The successful working out Of the prob.
lem 81 the education Of both men and
women IN the same college and the same
location, under the same corporation aud
faculty, and in au eastern Institution,
viii be q triumph of no uncertain value.
i has been attempted elsewhere IN the
East and sad failures have been made
greatly % the damage of the colleges
where they have occurred Our great
eastern colleges their presidents, cor,
porations and faculties are afraid 81 the
girls II we can work ont the problem
and achieve success. it win mean more
than We realize, and Middlebury will be
known in the world A. a college which
has done what Others have been afraid
to dare.
believe q college ought % be q place
Of intellectual interests. where minds are
hroadeucd and faculties trained 10 a de-
gree impossible among those who have
not had the opportunity OF continued
study under the leadership 81 trained
minds.
Most any man con be clever now and
then, but the oand, practical wisdom
and the grit Is do the right thing every
day egen when d Is hard. even when vol
IRE tired and have TIE right Is Sc tired,
Is the most difficult Of attachments, and
the one therefore We should most arouse
ourselves to reach
"A number 81 new courses were an
nouneed, including a course IN sociology
by Miss White. the new dean 81 women.
A new system Of excuse absences has
been established IN connection with the
deans Offices
Prizes IN the departments Of history
and English to the annual value Of sl20
we're announced for the next three years
They VIII be awarded to junior and
senior women, % men In history and to
women IL English,
IN closing President Thomas sid. Il
feel very confident shat we are opening
the beat wear Middlebury ever had The
college never ofierd to her students So
much as She Is offering to you to-day
She was never So wei organized for
effective prosecution IF her activities
Her professors were never more deter
mined 10 render the utmost that Is in
them for yom good and for the improve
ment 81 our college We had never So
many friends outside. never SO many
who are watching what wa do. we have
to-day the largest number Of students
ever enrolled at the beginning Of q Mid
dlebury year. The largest freshman class.
the largest number both Of men and
women ever entering at one time, aud,
If ] mistake not. the largest amount
Of grit and endurance, the most stead
fast resolution and the strongest faith
in God, to make our Middlebnry the best
college for us that ever set itself to the
building Of American manhood