The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-01-05
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-THE-
EDUCATED CITIZEN
Annual Address Before
The Students and Faculty
Ohio State University.
--
ey PRESIDENT W. o. THOMPSON
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resident thompson spoke In part
as fellows:
First Of all congratulate the
y0tng men and women here and at
cher colleges and universities on
t. c opportunity to secure an educa-
ton ! say this fully aware of the
acn.ewhat current opinion that a col
lCge education does not pay. 1t has
always been true that college edu-
cation was not an absolute necessity.
II is and always has been true that
FOR sCme people college was nei-
ter a convenience. necessity nor
. luxury. Such people could make
no use whatever of such an institu-
dcn. The real issue with the educated
citizen is whether he is willing to
I, Ee hold of life-of the world--of
business Of opportunity, and work
at his Job.
The College an oppo rtunity.
First of all the college is only an
olrortunity. 1t will be just what
you make it. Great men are not con-
& toned upon fine buildings, exten.
siye laboratories, scholarly profes-
sors and high.class teachers. These
are all good in their places and are
worth all they cost but don't forget
that there always have been men Of
lie highest achievement who never
have had college opportunity. What
me college means or may mean to
ycu depends primarily upon your
dag gaV Inn l..s. to all I'd
use of IT,
Not a Power House.
The college Is not a great power
'case run under high pressure for
,he purpose of pumping brains. en-.
-.gy. industry, initiative and moral
quality into students. II is rather
great organized opportunity where
these native qualities can have lively
and systematic exercise where the
cid OF students, professors and edu-
'2tional equipment will enable you
20 come to a healthy, vigorous and
c.lcient intellectual and spiritual
lie. There is not course offered
Ia this or any college | know of that
IS not a reasonably coed opportunity
- demonstrate what is in you. Take
my one of them, but be sure to take
N. Some one has said the issue
IS not whether man has gone
trough college but whether the col
sce has gone through the man. AZ
-r ALL the problem is one of your
N solving. 1t all depends upon
lat sort OF a chap you are. The
college is worth while If you are
't.erwise not.
Whether a college education pays
CT whether we are to measure the
-ucated citizen by what the college
.oes for him Is not therefore merely
- question Of money, OF social stand
ing or of personal responsibility. 1t
h. to be judged rather by the quality
p. his citizenship as shown by what
ne stands for as well as what he
sctually does.
The Attitude Toward Law.
want to speak clearly upon tho
question of fundamental morality as
involved in the attitude OF the edu-
Ited citizen toward law. Only this
eek from one OF the smaller cities
Ohio the newspapers report that
4 considerable number of the new
tudents entering high school re-
used to sign their registration pa
ers because they were required TO
ledge theselves not to violate the
.tatutes of Ohio. II this were the
crly instance in the state il might
| G looked upon as a freak OF few
foolish boys.
The Issue.
The issue is whether any growing
10Y can himself afford 10 wreck the
foundation of his own integrity with
| deliberate disregard for the law
| And what is further TO the point ID
the serious question whether the
state ought to be asked to endure that
Aind OF a spirit and to encourage II
By furnishing free education tC
young men or young women whC
have not in them the patriotism ant
| integrity to stand for obedience Il
the laws OF the state.
No citizen who has been the sub
ject of public education has the righ
to regard himself as a good mora
character who does not assume hi
re onsibilities and demonstrate hi
citizenship by proper regard 70
and obedience to the law.
The Outlook.
' am happy today in my belief tina
r. modern state university with II
oyer-increasing variety of education
bringing upon one campus and int
tie same classroom the young me
anl women from all walks OF Iii
who viii engage In all forms of ou
Industry, furnishes the opportunity
.Aresh out in an elementary way III
flrl mental problems OF democrat
ind to prepare young men and your
women for a high-class citizensh
la a republic whose history and tr
: sltons we revere, whose onportuI
les we appreciate, and whose w
fare shall have our consclentio
!, OF liberation and our devoted 10
alty. Into this opportunity the ST
. dcnts OF this university have CON