Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-06-27

IS. In all four classes of the acaremic
side, including 10 specials, we have $50
students now, compared with the 81 of
last year. making II net growth of Sc in
the academic college for the current year
rejoice with YOU in this evidence of a
healthy growth from the bottom up, and
| may exploit the achievement with per
feet modesty. since can lay no just claim
to share of the glory in bringing 1t
about. MIR. Lyman and Dean Perkins
took up the burden when President Buck
ham laid 1t down forever a year ago last
November and their untirlng efforts, sup
pemented by devoted board Of trustees,
a faithful faculty, an enthusiastic STU
dent body and loyal alumni, kept the
work of the university moving 80 that,
instead of any loss of prestige. there has
been decided gain.
PERSONAL OBLIGATION.
At the very outset. desire To record
the sense of personal obligation | feel to
the friends of the university who have
given me such sympathetic assistance in
my new work and who have borne with
the many hlundcrs necessarily incident to
the inauguration of a new administration.
To Prof. Max ". Andrews, who has given
himself so trelessly to the service of the
university as registrar AND business d.
rector, we are particularly indebted for
much that is worth while. | shall never
cease to he grateful for the Indulgence
and help of my colleagues, in the fac
ulties. Words are utterly Inadequate to
express the deep sense of gratitude | feel
tc Deans Perkins, Tinkham, Notey and
Hills and to those fine old scholars, Pro-
fessors Samuel Franklin Emerson and
Nathan Frederick Merrill beloved teach
ers of generations Of students in the Uni
versity OF Vermont, for their words Of
wise counsel and assurances of hearty
cooperation, when | have been face to
face with perplcXing situations. My feel
ing of obligation reaches out from these
older men to many of the young profess
sors and associates. assistants and in
structors in the teaching body; and if I
continue in service. ! hope to show my
appreciation of this cordial support by Il
recprocating interest in the welfare of all
those who properly look TO me for more
substantial discharge of this indebted
ness
ESTABLISHING ACQUAINTANCE
SHIP.
My problem this year. a IS l have seen it,
has been to establish an acquaintance
ship. 1t has seemed to me before at
tempting to mark out new pathways that
! should come to know my institution,
learn somewhat of its traditions and, il
possible. get some conception of its mis-
sion. To the fullest possible extent.
therefore, I have kept closed mouth. open
eyes and listened ears.
! have sought. first of all, to learn some
what of my constituency. | have tried
very earnestly to become acquainted
with Vermont. and at the same time.
to relate the University of Vermont to
the educational organizations of the ma
ton. In order. therefore, that | might
come to know the people of Vermont, my
work away from the university has taken
me out into the State in answer to every
invitation possible of acceptance. have
sought to impress upon our citizenship that
the official head of the university. bear
Ing the name of the state. has a realizing
sense of the obi CATION OF the debt of SER
vice tho Institution owes to every indus
trial. social, and moral enterprise in Yer
mont. | have spoken before church or
ganizations teachers associations, wom-
ems club. farm GATHERINGS. and the for
ward movements" of various civic So
cieticS aS | have had opportunity. | also
felt 1t to be in the interest of the uuiVor-
sty to accept Il reelection to the Office
n nf tho National Int inr
of State Universities which was rendered
me at the meeting of that BODY in Min
neapolis last October have attended
the inaugurations of certain prominent col
lege presidents. and was present at the
meeting of the department of supern-
tendence OF the National Education Assoc
citation in 81. Louis in February To mod
ify somewhat n statemen, made two mil
leniums ago ny the great apostle to the
Gentiles: II have been in oourneyings
otter, in Dcrils of water, IN perils of mine
Owl. countryncn. In perils by heather, in
per.ls Of the city, In peris of the wilder
ness. IN per!ls OF the sea-" but never SO
for as | know, in pcrils among false
brethren" There have been no expert
ences that have come to me. however
that ] did not anticipate In advance: be-
cause for sorle yea. have been under
no delusions AS to the duties accompanying
a college oresideno' understand per
fectly by seasoned experience. that such
position involves much responsibilit,
ANA no little labor 1t hould never be as.
sumed lightly. Though these travels out
int" nur state and ont into other States
'lN" neen made by occasional sacrifice OF
IMPORTANT work at home, trust that the
enhanced reputation of the university ant
extended knowledge of its work have beer
/ ample compensation.
In recent years have had a feeling tina
/ too much work away from the college /.
expected of our college presidents. Al
though thought had been travelling
| good deal | find hy comparison that mel
! III similar positions are projecting TIT
work of their institution through trave
| and outside effort more than | have beef
doing. There Is 81 danger here, however
| which needs to he guarded against. Tn
! chief obligation of the college president 1
| t. his colleagues in the faculty and to III
| students committed to his care; and Will
undertaking to do all that he can do ava
from his institution, he should not seel
to excuse himself for failure TO meet hi
| chief obligations on the ground that h
| has discharged certain rcsponshAlitie
| somewhat more remote.
! While | have sought throughout thi
first year by attendance upon alumr
gatherings at various points outside q
| Vermont to establish acquaintanceshi
with our own graduates. have employe
every moment of my time here in NOR
| or less carrful study Of the situation 0