Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-10-13
PRESIDENT BENTON.
Inauguration Of the New Executive Head
of the University Of Vermont-Honor-
airy Degrees Conferred.

Inauguration of the New Executive Head
of the University Of Vermont-Honor-
airy Degrees Conferred.
The most notable gathering of educa-
tors in the history of m assem-
bled in Burlington Friday to participate
in the ceremonies attending the inaug-
uration of Guy Potter Benton, AM, ID.
d, LII. d., as the 18th president of the
University of Vermont, succeeding the
late Rev. DR.. Mathew H.. Buckham,
whose death ended o college administra-
ton extending over more than a quarter
of Il century. DR.. Benton resigned the
presidency of Miami university in Ohio
to accept the call to Burlington.
Most Of the visiting educators attend
ed the educational conference held on
Thursday. The federal government was
represented by officials of the depart
ment of agriculture and the bureau of
education and Gov. Mead headed the list
of Vermont state officials at the eXer-
cises. Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Prince
ton and the University of Pennsylvania
sent faculty members or other admins
trative officers as delegates and about 40
college presidents from various parts of
the country were present.
The morning exercises consisted OF
the delivery of congratulatory messages
from the representatives of colleges ana
universities, learned societies and other
vi 81 "iiA nv
devoted to the inaugural ceremony ana
the delivery of an address by the newly
installed president. Both sessions were
held in the Strong theatre. In the after
noon a procession of 500 men, headed by
a band, marched from the university
grounds TO the theatre. The speakers,
recipients of honorary degrees and mem
hers of the corporation and faculty oc-
cupied seats on the stage with DIR. Ben
ton. Delegates, guests and alumni oc-
dupied the body of the house, the first
balcony was reserved for the students,
aud the remaining seats were thrown
open to the public.
Judge George NJ. Powers of the YER
mont supreme court delivered the ao-
dress on behalf of the alumni, Prof.
Samuel f. Emerson extended a welcome
ON behalf of the faculty of the institu-
tion and Mason S. stone, state superin-
tendent Of education, performed a SINH
lar service on behalf of the state of
Vermont. Darwin u. Kingsley, president
of the New York Life Insurance com =
pany, on behalf Of the university's board
of trustees, turned over the keys and
seal of the institution to the new presi-
dent. He urged DR.. Benton to beware of
the over practical spirit. The oath OF
Office was administered by Gov. Mead.
DR.. Benton, in his inaugural, defined the
duties of the university, speaking in par
ticular with reference to its responsible
tiles to the state. He was warm in ms
praise for athletics and declared that
men begin professional studies too early.
At the close of his address President
Benton conferred 20 honorary degrees
DR.. Harvey w. Wiley, the governments
pure food expert, was one of the men
honored, and he was received will en-
thusiastic applause. Degrees were given
to the following VermOnters: Redfeld
Proctor of Proctor, MS; Prof. j. W.
Votey, Burlington, DIS; President John
NJ. Thomas of Middlebury college, Ill.
D; Elias Lyman, Burlington, LII D.
Governor John A. Mead, LII. d; Prof
George II. Perkins, Burlington, Ih, d.
A reception was held in the Billings Ii
brarv after the exercises in the Strong
theatre, and in the evening 400 men at
tended the corporation dinner in the Ho-
tel Vermont. Prof NJ. G.. Benedict OF st
Johnsbury was POSTMASTER ana ten
well-known men responded to toasts'