The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-02
The University of Virginia
By EDWIN ANDERSON ALDERMAN University of Virginia

Probably no institution has ever
been founded on this continent which,
In the first fifty years of its existence,
produced 30 profound an impression as
has been made in the educational world
by tho University of Virginia." wrote
ono of tho greatest schooImen the
South has produced. "The reputation
OF it's founder. It's unique organlza-
tion, its beautiful situation, It's impress
Bive 'and remarkable architecture. It's
eminent professors. its thorough in
etruction. ut once gave It character as
tho leader OF Southern education, and
as the peer of tho Oldest and best of
American institutions. Its influence
was manifold: It's graduates soon be-
came the literary elite of the land: IL
vitalized education in every grade
throughout the State. and gradually
impressed Its image on a multitude of
institutions North and South. Better
than all this. its spirit was modest,
generous and progressive, and its pro-
fessors laborions and devoted as we'll
as ablo and learned. Such an institu-
don could not fail to become the glory
OF the Commonwealth"
! Beginning of Idea In America.
7 1t was the beginning of the univer-
sity idea In America; not, or course, az
st Is to-day. after nearly ono hundred
years of development. but stu the be-
ginning OF the larger field in which
the new spirit OF research Is working
wonders. acquainting men with them
selves and with the world they live in :.
In which the college and the university
Know their separate epheres and the
Wise ones stay in them, looking con-
hdently to greater differentiation; a
held from which 60, as a harvest for
humanity. university ideals to deepen.
broaden and elevate the achievements
OF men in all the activities of our ma
tional life, whether these are counted
national or local. commercial or DO
litical. literary or spiritual.
Indeed, the world has moved: and
this university has become more con-
scious of its relation to the purposes
and more sensitive to responsibility for
the ideals OF the democracy which "a
Transforming life. It has itself under
gone Transformation, in all changes
guarding against loss OF its ancient
strength and seeking eagerly for in
crease OF power for service. Within a
decade IL has entered upon another
manner of life. under presidential guild
ance. In two years its physical value
was measured. and found TO be bu,ld-
ings, lands and equipment. somewhat
more than s2.30o.o0o. In fve years more
million and a half dollars were
added. an increase OF physical copse-
quence exceeding 100000 annually for
nYe years. The yearly income has
grown steadily until Il Is now nearly
q quarter of a million
stnr Doubled.
There are other ways of measuring
shc value OF the institution. physically
speaking. The teaching stan has been
doubled. New professorsAips have been
established In education. secondary
education. economic geology. chem
istry. pathology. physiology, surgery.
obstetrics. diseases OF the eye. ear,
nose and throat and in law: an asso.
clate professorship In biblical history
and literature. an adjunct Professor
ship in physics. Romantic languages
biology, chemistry. economic geology.
public spea king, clinical medicine. sur
gerry, anatomy. histology and embry-
oiosy' pathology. civil engineering,
mechanical engineering and law.
In ALL there are now I22 Officers of
instruction and administration at work
In an organization covering twenty
hve independent schools, co-ordinated
into six departments. two of which
are academic and four technical.
The formal entrance requirements
have been raised to fourteen units:
cultural 3. S. has been provided In
recognition of the scientific side of
culture. where formerly the classical
alone was considered, and a vocational
b. s. for those who desire to ft them
selves for some calling through special
training in some one of the sciences.
and at the same time receive a degree
as evidence Of their attainments. Tho
faculty has been nearly doubled.
The department of graduate studies
has been greatly expanded Courses
are now offered in all the academic
schools of the institution Credit is
given for work done in any of the uni.
versities holding membership with thi.
Institution in the Association of Amer.
lean Universities. and proper credit.
also. for work done in other uniyer
stiles and colleges OF recognized grade
The technical departments also have
been strengthened until the courses
they afford will stand the test OF com