The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-12
WESLEYAN EXECUTIVE
 INSTALLED TODAY WITH
 IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES
President Taft Vice President Sherman and Senator Root Among Distinguished Guests Who Are Honored With Degrees.

' TT welcome you into aSSoclaIon
 with a group of college presidents and professors who find both burdens and responsibilities frightened by associa- | tion in a common cause for which all stand shoulder to shoulder" | This afternoon the university tend cred a monster luncheon in Fisk hall
 to the. delegates. invited guests, the
 alumni, the trustees and faculty The
 luncheon was one of the largest, if not
 the largest of the kind ever given in
 New England.
 Following the luncheon the great
 crowd attending the installation gath
 cred at Fayerweather Gymnasium,
 where the collegiate and university
 delegates. numbering hundreds. were
 formally presented to President
 Shanklin and President Taft. The af- ternoon's ceremonies concluded with short congratulatory speeches at Fay erweather Gymnasium by William Herbert Perry Faunce, president of
 Brown University and Commissioner of Education Brown
 This evening the invited guests, del- egates, trustees and the faculty will dine at Fisk Hall A long and inter with Professor Caleb Winchester to act as toastmaster- Between and II o'clock President and Mrs Shank lin will receive guests at their home. in Carrolton. Mo, in 1864. where also his brother, Consul General at Panama was born. He was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Ham ilton College in 1888 and was a col lege fraternity mate of Vice-Presi- dent sherman ,He entered the Metho- dist ministry in 1889 and in 1891 was graduated with the degree of s. T. B.. from Garrett Biblical Institute In 1895 he received the degree of Master of Arts from Hamilton College From the University of Washington in 1895 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity and in 1896 from Baker Uni versity, that of Doctor of Laws He also received the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
 President Shanklin's ministry began in Southern Kansas. In 1887 he joined the South Kansas Conference of the several important churches in Kansas and finally went to Reading. Pa, where he assumed the pastorate of one of the most important churches in the Philadelphia Conference. Throughout his ministerial career, Dr. Shankiin was universally recognized as an able preacher, a polished gentleman and an effective pastor.
 In August, 1905 Dr. Shanklin accept ed the presidency of Upper Iowa Un-t iversity- In his new work he foupd the university while in excellent con dition in other respects, needed a man at its head of peculiar and diversi- fled educational qualifications The re- sources were distinctly inadequate in almost every respect During his few years of service there he applied him self with an energy, and adaptability that attracted the attention of Meth odists everywhere. When he accept ed the call to become the chief execu- tive of Wesleyan he did so with the unqualified recommendations of all with whom he had been associated at Upper Iowa University
 Dr. Shanklin was elected president of Wesleyan at special meeting of the college trustees. Nov. 13. 1908. He has a wide personal acquaintance, with men of affairs. including Presi. dent Taft, Vice-President Sherman, Senator Root and many prominent Washington Politicians. President Taft's presence at today's exercises is a testimonial of his high regard for the man who has been chosen to di- rect and govern WesleyaAs future pol icies.
 President Shanklin's response to the welcome by President Taft and the board of trustees was brief and to the point, indicative of the preciseness of the man. He said:
 MT President and Board of Trus- tees: With a keen sense of the high honor and the great responsibility. I accept the task and the opportunity to which the board of trustees has called me, to foster this university, to main tain her high ideals to labor unceas- ingly for the deepening and broaden ing of her success and influence, pledge my every strength, God help me"
 While the center of attraction today was within the grounds of the univer- sity the townspeop1e made the event a notable one Public buildings and busniess houses were decorated with flags and banners and forty arches of bunting reached across Main street at intercvals-
 The parade started as soon as Pres ident Taft could reach Main street from his private car which arrived at S:30 o'clock, The guests of honor, in cluding President Taft. Vice-President Sherman, Governor Weeks, the Presi- ident Shanklin. Stephen H. Olin and members of the Governors stan. re- mained at the head of the procession in automobiles Then followed a long line of automobiles in which rode prominent citizens. members of the faculty and alumni Practically every member of every fraternal organiza- tion in Middletown brought up in the rear on foot. carrying floats. flags and banners to the tune of patriotic music by local brass bands
 By o'clock last night every hotel was filled to overiowing. Prominent guests are being entertained at the homes of Middletown's leading citizens In the history of the town, at least not since 1882 when President Andrew Jackson visited Middletown. has the town housed so many notables within a day and night of twenty-four hours. STORY OF