Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-10-11
DR.. DENNY'S LETTER
TO GOVERNOR O'NEAL
Accepts Presidency of University
of Alabama
GIVES REASONS FOR COURSE
1t Offers Greater Opportunities for
Constructive Service


Following isl the letter of Presi-
dent George III. Denny to Governor
Emmett o. Neal of Alabama, acc, pit
ing the presidency of the State Uni
verSity, TO which he was recently
elected by the Board OF Visitors OF
that institution, Governor O'Neal
being the chairman OF the board:
September 30. 1911
His Excelleucy, Hon, Emmett o. Neal,
Governor Of Alabama, Montgom-
cry, Ala:
My Dear Governor O'Neal:-I &C
knowledge with appreciation Your
letter Of September %, giving me
official notification OF my unanimous
election to the presidency of the
University of Alabama. More than
six weeks ago a committee OF the
trustees came to Virginia and asked
me TO accept the presidency of that
institution. agreed to give this
call patient consideration. provided
| should be allowed sufficient time
in which to reach matured decision
after the college year had fairly be-
gun. Since there we're other great
interests involved, 1 could not IN
dertake to hastily determine JUS,
what l ought to do. The recent
unanimous action OF the trustees in
confirming the invitation OF the nom
mating committee finds me prepared
to give my conclusion. 1 appre-
ciate the courtesy OF the trustees in
allowing me this ample opportunity
u search my heart to try to find If
this was indeed the task to which !
should devote my life. Following
the call OF duty, l am now writing
to accept the great opportunity and
responsibility to which you have
summoned me. 1 express to you,
therefore, my decision to go to Ala
bama, with an honest purpose and a
large desire for usefulness, uninfiu-
enced by any sort Of ambition save
to render service. | shall write
you later just when l shall be able
to take up the work.
1t would be q task as impossible
as 1T is unnecessary to describe to
you the wrench that it cost me 10
leave Virginia, in whose service nv
life has been spent. l have been
deeply touched by the appeals that
have recently come to me from the
trustees, alumni, members of the
faculty and the student body OF
Washington and Lee. / have also
appreciated the generous express
sions of the public press and Of
leading citizens in every section Of
this Commonw wealth. Yet, in the
face of it all. l am hearkening tc
your call. l feel that in taking this
great step l shall have the sympa
thy and the cooperation OF every
patriotic man who is today helping
to fashion the higher life of Alabama
The prevailing consideration tina
has moved me to accept the presi
dency of the University of Alabam,
proceeds from the conviction tina
there is a great opportunity to any
man serving in that position to rem
der constructive service to the en-
tire system OF public education in
progressive Common ealth, rapid,
growing IN population and in power
1t is not mere question of trans
ferring from one institution to an
other institution of learning.
that were the sole question l shoulc
remain at my present post OF duty
To carry on the work consecrate,
by the benefaction of George Wash
ington and by the service and mem
DRY OF Robert e. Lee is task ampl,
adequate to satisfy the ambition G
any man. Nor is it a question G
salary. The trustees OF Washington
and Lee have habitually sought t
deal with me in a spirit of the u,
most generosity.
, 1t is solely question of service
The founders planned to make tn
University OF Alabama the suprem
intellectual achievement of you
Common wealth. lis the duty. a
it will be the pleasure. of the pee
pie OF Alabama to understand tn