The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-27
DIR. Denny Says Uniyersity's
Resources Are Taxed to
Care for Applicants
NEW FRATERNITY
COMING TO STATE
Phi Beta Kappa With Only Five Chap
ters in South Will Establish
One at University of
Alabama

DR.. George II. Denny. president OF the
University of Alabama, was here yes
terday lie made two very gratifying
and important announcements One was
that Alabama boys have definitely ceased
to migrate to eastern colleges, realizing
he says that here the greatest cdnca-
tonal advantages may be seemed
Another announcement made was that
the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity had con-
cluded to establish chapter at he Gni-
versity of Alabama. In the south only
five of the chapters have ever been as-
tablished. There is one at the Univer-
sity of Virginia, at Tulane. al Sewanee
and Vanderbilt Dr. Denny says the fra
ternity is based solely upon scholarship
and achievement and the location of
such an ideal fraternity viii he OF vast
benefit to the university, as well as a
signal honor to the state. Or. Denny
informally stated thai when the chap
ter was installed. within about six weeks,
ii would be the occasion FOR eorsider-
able ceremony.
DR.. Denny's Statement
In discussing the general situation DR..
Denny said
THE University of Alabama is enjoy
ing unprecedented prosperity. This state
ment has reference not merslg To the
remarkable increase in the ssuden. body
but also to the strengthening OF the
teaching force ard to the mats,iai ini-
provements th1t are being maae. BY
the exercise of strict economy in certain
directions we have been able to add this
year an Independent chair of econrinics,
to continue the construction Of grano-
lithfc walkways and the grading of the
campus, and to complete Tie renova-
ton and painting of the old buildings.
which have been brought into harmony
With the handsome new stractures.
II am greatly gratifed IN view Of the
spirit of contagious enthusiasm and op-
t.mism that exists in every section OF
Alabama concerning the states chief IN
stituton of learning. Alabama boys have
definitely ceased to migrate to eastern
colleges They realize thar they have in
their own university a standard insti-
tuition of learning, where they can Sc
cure the best training amid the best
SURROUNDINGS and in intimate Association
with the great groups of young me- with
whom they are to spend their lives
"The Unprecedented demand for admis-
sion has taxed to the utmost the resources
of the University of Alabama. We are
receiving only those students who are
of college grade. Surely have been
justified In the policy of refusing to com
pete with the high schools. The pessi
mistic and short-sigHted prophets who
declared that the battle for sotird edu-
eational ideals would fail in Alabama are
now confronted with the stern fact that
the battle has actually been Fought and
won
New Fraternity Coming
"a signal honor has just conc To the
University of Alabama. still further At
testing its high standing among tie coli
leges of the country The national cum
ell of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. at
its recent meeting in New York city.
voted unanimously to establish a cuap-
ter at the university. 1t is well known
that this fraternity Is based solely on
scholarship and achievement 1t is com
posed of men who have achieved high
distinction in letters and in science.
"Ony standard institutions of learning
are embraced In the chapters of Phi Beta
Kappa. 1t is considered a distinguished
honor to secure membership In this or
ganization. Undergraduates will be chosen
solely on their record for high scholar
ship. Former graduates OF the Univer-
sity of Alabama will be elected to men,-
bership in the chapter on the basis Of
high achievement in their college course
or in their subsequent career
ut is a fine thing to introduce into
the life of this commonwealth this or
ganization of scholars. There are only
five chapters Of the society in the en-
tire south. The people of Alabama will
feel keen sense of qualification that
one of these chapters is to be main
tanned at their own state university Many
of the foremost men of America belong
to Phi Beta Kappa. which has long PLAYED
an important part in the scholarly life
of Harvard. Yale, Princeton, Columbia
and other great eastern seats of learn
ing.
"It is planned to have a great gather
ing at the time of the formal inaugura-
ton of the chapter at the University of
Alabama. We have been making grea.t
deal of noise In the south on the occa
! sion of athletic events. The University
of Alabama feels a sense of discriminate
| ing pride that an opportunity is now Of
| fered to our aspiring youth to celebrate
high achievement in the realm of mind
| and of spirit"