Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-05-14
ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION.
Gala Day For the College, Cham.
plain EIms Planted. Governor
Prouty DISTINGUISHED Guest.

plain EIms Planted. Governor
Prouty Distinguished Guest.
'Tn memory of Samuel de Champlain,
intrepid navigator, Christian adventurer,
and in faith IN the future extension of
! Middlebury college to the West, l plant
this Champlain elm"
These were the words used by Pres-
dent Thomas in initiating the impressive
ceremonies of Champlain Arbor Day last
Friday. A procession under the charge
of Professor McGlton as Marshal with
Governor Prouty and the Faculty of the
college at the head, the entire student
body and many friends from the village
and surrounding towns, proceeded from
the college buildings to the crest of the
hill west, and at the summit of the rise
of the present campus President Thomas
planted the Champain elm. This was
followed by the planting of an elm by
representatives from each class. In the
morning about 40 trees had been set out,
and the double row will be known as
Champlain Avenue.
The procession then moved to the other
side of the street. and the college took
the initial step towards the possession
of the new Battell Campus by the plant
ing Of Vermont elm by Governor
Prouty. Congratulating the college on
the acquisition of a magnificent site,
Governor Prouty planted the tree "in
the name of the people of Vermont"
Exercises then followed in the open
air in the yard of the house which will
be used as a cottage for college women
next year. The singing by the college
musical organizations under the leader
ship of Mrs. w. +. Howard was excel
lent. President Thomas presided, and
announced the presentation of 80 acres
of land by the Honorable Joseph Battell,
a gift to the college as a site for build
ings for women. Prayer was offered,
after which Warren L. Carpenter, 90,
and Bertha o. Stilson, '09, spoke for the
students. An address in behalf of the
alumni by superintendent F. d. Boynton,
81, followed, and the exercises closed
with stirring address by Governor
Prouty in which he expressed his con-
viction of the usefulness of Middleury
and the certainty of her future pros
perity.
Since the weather was very threaten
ing and the ball field in almost impos-
sible condition because of recent rains,
there was some question about postpon :
ing the Faculty-Senior ball game, which
had been announced to follow, but the
desire for this game was so evident that
a new diamond was extemporized, and
the game was duly called, with Cover
nor Prouty as umpire. Middlebury has
not seen such large attendance at an
thletic contest for some time, and
it is safe to say that this would have
been multiplied many times. if the
weather had been at all clear. Any of
the spectators who had imagined that
the professors knew nothing about ball
must have been greatly surprised by the
agility or some members of the Faculty
team. Governor Prouty proved a most
acceptable umpire, evidently under
standing all points of the game, and the
accuracy of his decisions was indicated
in the score AS in favor of the Faculty.
All in all the day was a most enjoy
able one, despite the clouds and rain,
and it is to be accounted memorable as
the occasion on which Middlebury col.
lege doubled the size of her campus and
committed herself to the policy of sep.
arate site for the woman's college.