Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1912-05-10
"BETTER VERMONT"
Professor Lambert Delivers Force
ful Address in Montpelier.


A. E. Lambert, Phi. D., of Middlebury
college, in the Better Vermont"
series. The seminary and High school,
clergy, board of trade and women's
club were fully represented. Professor
Lambert was introduced by Mayor
Estee as speaker with message in
regard to the Better Vermont" for
which we are fighting and thinking.
Professor Lambert said in the course of
a forceful address on what Vermont
College can do for Vermont Young Peo-
ple:"
"When our forefathers laid the foun-
dations of this nation their object was
to establish such institutions as could
be relied upon to produce the highest
type of men and women. Hence their
foundation was not only civic but re-
ligious and intellectual in character.
At the apex of their system was placed
the American college. Hardly were
the forests cleared before we find these
men erecting Harvard and Yale, Prince
ton and Dartmouth. The same spirit
was active among the people of YER
mont. In accordance with their pa
triotism and resources two universities
were placed in the State, the Univer-
sity of Vermont and Middlebury Col
lege.
1.-THE beginning was simple in either
case. Daniel Webster was able to say
of us, There is not on earth more
intelligent average population than
that of western Vermont The great
riches of the State are not industrial,
or in development of transportation,
forestry, shafts, tunnels, quarries and
rich crops but men and women who
possess the same rugged character and
clear vision of those gone before. To
this end Vermont maintains an educa-
tional system including public schools,
academies and colleges.
why go to college? What kind of a
; college shall l attend? What can the
college do for me? These questions
may we'll be asked. Every boy and
girl who has felt the stirring of an
awakened ambition may answer the
question, Do you want to go to college?
in the affirmative. If the boy or girl
has sincerity, courage, and enthusiasm
the opportunity is better than ever be-
fore.
"The opportunity for self-help is
greatly increasing. There is no reason
except the dependence of others which
necessitates immediate occupation
why the ambition in this direction
should not be accomplished. The diff
Guilty becomes less as it is approached.
''There is no need in these days t.
fail to obtain the best in education
Without qualification say take coun
sci of your courage and strive to enter
What kind of a college? There are
predisposing causes, as the physician
would say, proximity, friends in college
family tradition, but there is a consider
able group which chooses colleges from
the benefits to be received. A few
years ago some went so far as to declare
that the day of the small college is past
In recent years the small college ha:
come into it's own. There has come
realization that the great universit,
does not present conditions for the bes
type of work. Another advantage O.
the small college is the broad opportu
nifty to participate in all the activitie,
of college life.
''To be able to know every man is
great democratic factor. Ability t,
,, measure men is one of the best results
Intellectual power comes through per
sonal contact with teachers. Most O
our universities, in fact, are consider
ing the breaking of the collegiate de
partments into smaller units. TIL
country college provides an UNUSUAL,
good environment.
What shall | expect of the college
: There is criticism in certain quarters o
some of the tendencies of college life
tendencies which don't promise result
for which parents sacrifice. Some re
gard the college mark as easy access t
social preferment. The athletic sid
appeals to others. There is some trutl
in these criticisms, but those who seel
social prestige and physical develop
ment are not the type the college seek
to serve. There is justification o
course, for the college social life am
some smaller degree for athletics bu
the college today does not predomi
nantly favor these. There is the super
: fetal man everywhere but the college i
not for him or for his type. The col
lege is not for amusement or polish blu