The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-13
Unprecedented Scene of En-
thusiasm Follows DR.. Mitch
ellis Proclamation
SURPRISE PARTY is
RENDERED MEDICOS
Present Head of S. c. Univer-
sity to Be President of
Consolidated Medi-
cal Colleges

In the presence Of over five hun
dred young men. composing the stud
ent bodies Of the old Medical Col
lege Of Virginia the University Col
lege Of Medicine. and the faculties of
those irstitutions. gathered at din
ner in the Masonic Temple rendered
them by the board of visitors. an
nouncement WIS made last night of
the election of DR. S. 6 Mitchell, now
head of the University of South Caro-
lima, and one of the best known edu-
Gators IN the South, as president Of
the new Medical College of Virginia.
Almost as one man the assembled
company rose to its feet ant greeted
the proclamation and the man, who
was present, with prolonged cheering.
Such a scene was never before wit
messed In Virginia, either from the
standpoint Of tho numbers gathered
around q banquet board or for the
uniqueness of the occasion, TO DR..
Mitchell the occasion had a double
meaning, for the enthusiastic recep-
ton accorded him without previous
announcement 10 the diners was a
welcome back home
One Djscordant Note,
The dinner. which marked analog-
ously tho marriage Of the old institu-
tions and the birth Of the new col
lege, was characterized by the same
harmony which has prevailed since
the first efforts at consolidation We're
inauguratcd. The one-~and only dis
cordaut--element in the work of con-
s3lidation was fmpressively brought
out---the natural rivalry of the stud
ent bodies, and iFnpassi0ncd appeals
were made to the senior classes of
the respective colleges to get together
and agree upon n joint commence
ment next month---an action which
it was ealnsed cut by the speakers,
would not oriw convince the people
Of the State OF the harmony that PEI
vaded every step OF the merger Of the
two colleges, bnt one which would give
impetus to the new institution While
the appeals of the speakers were
forcefal and the opportunity ripe for
dramatic announcement. none was
forthcoming last night. bat it is un-
ierStood that the graduating classes
of the respective institutions will hold
meetings tomorrow. and it is conf
IDENTITY expected that they will agree
upon Joint commencement 1t is
the Idea or The board of visitors 10
hold the exercises in the auditorium
and yet in the presentation Of diplo-
mas and SO on, keep each distinct.
Celebrates Marriage.
Or r. L. Barnes, Of Suffolk, the
venerable chairman Of the board Of
visitors. presided. Governor Mann
and his probable successor, Henry c.
Stuart sat at his right and the new
president at his left. With Lieuten-
ant Governor Eilyson they were the
only invited guests. Dir. Barnes an
nounced that the board had adopted
this method Of celebrating the mar
rage of the two medical colleges of
Richmond and bringing the two into
one and the same household that
Richmond might have a great medi-
cal school that viii be the pride of the
city, the State and the South. and he
turned over the duties OF POSTMASTER
To f. l.. Remiss With the simple an
nouncement that he believed this din
ner marked an epoch in the history
of medical education in the South Mr.,
Bamiss introduced Governor William
Hodges Mann.
Applaud the Announcement
Up 10 this time no announcement had
been made of the selection of Dr..
Mitchell and the assembled students
We're in dense ignorance of the OBJ
ject Of the dinner but when the exc
curiv pointed to him and impressive
ly declared; For a long time we have
Continued on Second Page.)