The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-09-29

eliminate these local prejudices and
give to each state educational insti-
tuition the support to- which it is mer-
ltoriously entitled? BY pursuing this
course we will develop our institu-
tions on the line f"r which they are
created. and make them of greater
efficiency
The University of North Dakota
was established Ey act of the terri
torial legislature on February II,
1888. Its object, rs declared by sec
tion niue of the act creating it, is as
follows.
"The object of the University of
North Dakota shall be to provide
the means Of acquiring a thorough
knowledge Of the various branches. of
learning connected with scientific, in
dustrial and professional pursuits; (;
in the instruction and training of
persons in the theory and art of
teaching, and also instruction in the
fundamental laws of the United States
and of this territory in regard to the
rights and duties of citizens"
For many years it had to rely en-
tirely for support upon funds derived
direct from taxation, with the re-
I suit that its revenues were meagre.
1t is only within recent years that it
has had any considerable benefit
from the income derived the federal
grant. The history of it's struggles
and the sacrifices which were made
by Its founders to bring it to it's pres
ent condition l shall omit.
About two years ago President
Merrifield, who had given a full
quarter of century of efficient and
loyal service to its up-building, pre-
sented his resignation and firmly in
sisted upon it's acceptance. The task
of finding and securing a successor
| was not an easy one, and was entered
upon by the board of trustees with
hesitation and misgiving. The men,
bers of the board were agreed that
what was wanted was a man who
was fitted for and could do the work
at hand, in short, man who would
render the most efficient service to
the university and, as its head, to the
educational interests of this state.
For this reason we did not enter the
field of popular ideals in search for
material. The position required a
scholar 1t was found that there are
many men in this country of high
scholastic attainments, but it requir-
ed more than this. He must be an
experienced educator. 1t was dis
covered there were many experienced
educators whose services were avail
oh D,,%1 Oh -.
required man of tried executive
ability, for executive ability of a high
order is perhaps the most important
requirement in the successful man
agement of modern university.
There are many men of good eXecu-
tive ability; but very few of them en-
ter the educational field; most Of
them are engaged in lucrative COM
mercial pursuits as captains of in
dustry Further. the position re-
quired man of middel age. the ma
jor part of whose working years
were still before him. man whose
helpmate was college trained and
thus interested in his work and in
student life; man of poise and
character, and. finally one who knew
the northwest and knew of it's
conditions and it's people, We We're
told that this was an impossible COM
bination. and that such person lived
only in the ideal. Many months of
discouraging search almost convinc-
ed us that this was true, but finally
we turned to our sister. yes, our
mother state-the state of N1inneso-
ia, and found, for he was not can
didate, our ideal; scholar. an ex-
perienced educator and tried execu-
tive, your president, DR.. Frank L. Nc
Vey.
DR.. Mcvey, in your service of more
than a year, you have proved your
fitness and worth. We have an abid-
ing faith that you will give a good
account of your stewardship, and now
at this time it Is my pleasant duty,
as president Of the board of trustees.
in its name. and by its direction. to
formally confer upon you the office
of president. and to commit to your
care the welfare and the future of
the stato TIniyorsity of North nal-o%,