The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-27

average years work. To ascertain this
1T is only necessary to read that section
OF the college catalogue descriptive Of
the courses, to see how advanced these
are by comparison with the require
ments of colleges whose standing is
known, and then to ascertain whether
the complete advertised course is COW
ered Happily, the colleges whose
announcements appear in this section
can stand on this point any scrutiny to
which they may be subjected.
Who Are the Teachers?
The next test Of college-we are
almost inclined to call it the most
important-is the character Of men
who compose it's faculty. This does not
mean of necessity long array of high
sounding titles and pretentious degrees.
These are we'll enough in their place,
but SO high is the general faculty.
standard of Southern colleges that the
degrees held by the professors are, in
the main, practically the same. The
real test Of the faculty is what the
teachers are doing for their students
and how far they may be reckoned on
to act as guides and councillors as we'll
as instructors. The professor may not
have name known throughout the
country; he may have written no great
reference work; he may not even have
added his part to the sum of human
knowledge, and yet he may be the very
man who will do most for his pupils. A
college is not brick and mortar; it is
brains and social conscience. No man
can err who places the tuition of his
in dc 81 L
moral character and conservation to
their work make them public servants
in the noblest sense Of the word. The
faculties of our Virginia schools, we
are glad to say, can meet this test, and
meet it brilliantly.
Ask Former Students.
Another test of a college is the
opinion of it held by it's alumni. Here,
OF course, one must proceed carefully,
and must know the character of the
graduates from whom he seeks infor-
nation regarding college. Often the
men may be disgruntled, and may have
some reason to criticize the institution
they have attended. Sometimes, too,
the student may have left college so
recently that he still cherishes those
animosities begotten of strict discipline.
But the average alumnus Of the college
who is reasonably successful in the
world and has not been so long from the
academic atmosphere that he has for
gotten it, can advise frankly and
wisely. Incidentally, if the personal
equation can be eliminated, his opinion
of the college and the general attitude
he assumes toward it is a fair index
to the influence which the college has
exerted on him.
Study the List of Alumni.
A final test that can be applied by
any one desiring information regard
ing the real standing Of our colleges is
to be made by studying the list of the
alumni. How well equipped for life is
the average man who leaves the college,
and what does he do in the profession
or business which he has chosen for
himself? Is he a public servant? Is
he making any contribution to the
progress of the South and the welfare
of the race, or is he self centred, egotis-
tic and liability to society? By him
can the institution that made him be
gagged?
Of course, this test can only be
applied within certain limitations, and
with the recognition of certain facts.
Every college sends out a certain num-
Der of men who, by the mere law of
probability and chance, so to speak,
may be expected to attain to some
degree of eminence; every college
graduates certain other men whom no
institution in the world could save from
selfish, useless life. But eliminate
these men as best one can and study
the general body of schools gradu-