New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-18
AMHERST HAS NEW HEAD
Dean MeikIeiohn of Brown Elect
ed President TO Succeed Harris.
HE IS 40. AND ATHLETIC
Trustees Meet at G.. A. Plimp-
toms House Here Choice
Pleases Retiring Executive.

Alexander Meiklejohn, for the last eleven
years dean OF Brown University, was unan-
imously elected president Of Amherst Col
iege at a meeting of the board OF trustees,
held yesterday at the house OF George A.
Plirnpton, No 81 Park avenue. The new
president will succeed TO the place made
vacant by the resignation of the Rev. Or.
George Harris. who retired last November,
after twelve years service.
While Dr. Meiklejohn's election yesterday
was no surprise to alumni who have been
following for the last few months the
movements Of the committee which had in
hand the selection of the new college head,
n is remarked that he was not included I'm
the trinity Of educators whose names We're
most frequently mentioned following DR..
Barris's resignation. John T. Woodbridge,
professor Of philosophy at Columbia, was
a. one time believed To be sure Of becoming
the next president. Professor Tufts, of the
University Of Chicago, was another posi-
tlitv. and Principal Alfred T.. Stearns. Of
Phillips Andover, was also seriously con-
sidered.
These selections. while unofficial we're in
turn fayorably considered by alumni and
college officials, but nothing resulted in the
way Of a final move. A murmur OF interest
ran through the ranks of alumni in various
,,rts ~ the country when II was reported
hat Columbia was making some very de-
cl5ed moves to retain DR.. Woodbridge. who
was generally considered the logical candi-
dets Those rumors received something
which looked very much like connrmatioh
-rber Dr woodbridge was a little later
made dean OF the graduate school al Co.
,,-,bia. Other difficulties contributed TO re-
-,,,-s Professor Tufts and Principal S'earns
tsvord the reach % the committee. fresl-
a.,t Rush Rhees Of Rochester CnlVersit!
--ae also named as a possible successor 10
President Harris.
y, Isikleiohn. the newly chosen presl-
dent Is probably the youngest teacher III
.hts country that ever succeeded 10 post
~ such responsibility and authority IN
s,,.cstional affairs. Although for quarter
% his lifetime he has been dean OF Brown
an administrative post OF first Importance
IN the college world, he is only forty years
ola Like President Schurman OF Cornell
and DR. +. L. Patton. OF Princeton ne was
horn outside Of the United States
~ nyre Scotch descent, DR.. Meiklejohn
,er,a N this country when eight years old
from Rochdale. England, where he was
horn on February 3. 1872. He was grad
ua+ea from the public schools of Paw
,,ckot r L and entered Brown Uni
vorsitv finishing in the class Of '9S. Two
wears later ne got his degree of A. NJ. and
became an instructor. and about that time
also began to take up post-gradua'e "oih
q, Cornell He had determined upon teach
ing for his life work, and al that time lhe
Ithaca institution was the active nome OIL
the new psychology.
After two years at Cornell, Or. Mckee
John took his degree in 1897 as Doctor OF
Philosophy. and returned to Brown. Ihere
followed four years Of classroom WORK. anu
IT the end Of that time he was mace oeah
Of the university, an almost unprecedented
advance. In spite of the trying duties
which Gevolved upon him, he refused 10
give III his classroom work, and as re-
suit became an associate professor In 1903
and a full professor in 1896
Although q man Of medium height ana
rtvsioue. he was an all around athlete IN
his college days, played on several varsity
teams and is still an expert cricket player
H mas been Intimately connected with attn
letics at Brown during his term as dean j.
fraternity man and has worked hard 10
ir,nrove the scholarship Of the fraternities
m Brown. President-elect Meiklejohn mar
riAd IN 1902 Mainline a. La Villa, Of mingled
Italian and English descent, OF Orange
y. J.
Mr.. Plimpton. the chairman OF the COM
,rittee which selected Or. Meiklejohn, was
or- Of town yesterday. but the meeting
was largely attended. and the satisfaction
which followed the Brown mans election
was r,atent Dispatches from Providence
last night said that the corporation OF
Brown would probably elect new dean IN
Tune. Immediately after commencement
Amherst. Mass, May 11.-Presiden'
George Harris. the retiring head OF Am
horst College, was much pleased tonight al
the announcement that Dean Alexanoer
Neillleiohn. Of Brown University. had peeh
named as his successor. He is just the
man for the place" said President harris
"lIe is ftted in every respect, and the
trustees were unanimous in their decision
n tender him the presidency"
President Harris will sever his cohhec-
ton with the college next month. and VIII
retire from active work. He plans TO make
mic homo I'm New York City He has been