Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-05-12


OF his own shortcomings, a brief state
ment OF the boards proceedings In his
case may not be inappropriate.
The boards attention was FIRST
called to Professor Kennedy In con-
nection with charges OF misconduct in
stock judging. In the exhibition OF ami
mails a, the international and other
stock shows, and in other matters a
public hearing upon these matters was
had before the board. While in the
opinion Of the board the showing was
not sufficient to convict Professor
Kennedy of the specific charges made.
1t can safely be said that every mem
Der Of the board felt that there was
much in his conduct to be condemned.
and which was highly improper in
member OF the faculty of a college in
which young mems characters are
formed. However. the board felt that
he ought to be given chance to show
that such misconduct vas not tenn
peramental. but the result OF circunl-
stances which might not ne repeated.
In giving Professor Kennedy this
chance. it was firmly in the minds OF
the board members that unless his
future conduct should ne such as to
entirely remove the Impression above
referred to. his permanent connection
with the college would not be desir-
able.
When Professor Holden resigned his
place as director of the extension. there
was no permanent head present at the
college. Dean CurtiSs recommended
the appointment of Professor Ken
nedy. The faculty committee. with
as to the wisdom of its action made
the appointment as temporary one
Dr. Pearson was then president elect.
but had not taken charge vet and did
not do so until some months later. The
boards idea in making this aDpofn.-
ment temporary was because neither
the faculty committee nor the board
was satisfied that Professor Kennedy
would prove to be the proper man,
and did not wish to make a permanent
appointment until President Pearson
could have an opportunity to fully
satisfy himself, and make recon-
mendation to the board.
No further action was taken until
the making up the budget In July.
1913. This matter was then freely dis
cussed. Matters had come to the
boards attention which tended to show
that Professor Kennedy was not Civ
ing to the president Of the college that
loyal support Indispensable to the
welfare OF the institution. and other
matters, all Of which caused the boa I'd
to believe that the best interests OF
the college would not be served by his
permanent appointment, and that tenn
'porary status was continued AS the
years work progressed. the conditions
which caused the board to doubt the
prpriety Of permitting him to remain
because apparent. The MATES Was dis
cussed al several meetings. at some
of which the president of the college
was present and gave the board such
Information as he was able to give. At
the last meeting Of the board, held at
Ames on April 20. 1t became clear to
the board that the attitude OF Pro-
lessor Kennedy toward the president
OF the college was such that it was
not for the best interests Of the COL
lege that Professor Kennedy be per
mitted to longer remain. The presi
dent was authorized to take such
action as he deemed necessary to serve
the best interests Of the college. II
seems that the matter was then taken
up by the president with Professor
Kennedy, and the interviews and state
ments above referred to followed:
AT no meeting Of the board was any
attack made upon Professor Kennedy
by any, member Of the. board or Of the
Finance Committee. At the meeting at
which the matter was proba bly, more
fully discussed than at any other
meeting. and the president Of the COL
iege assured Of the support Of the
board in any contingencies. the mem
Der of the board against whom Pro-
lessor Kennedy seems to have par
ticular grievance was not even pres
ent.
when the temporary appointment
was continued In July, 1913 it was
the ardent desire of every member OF
the board that Professor Kennedy
would attend strictly to his work as
director. and that his relations with
the president would prove to be har-
mOnious. II such had been the result.
every member of the board would have
been glad to continue him perma nently.
1T ought not to be necessary to say
that this action relating to Professor
Kennedy. as we'll AS any other actions
Of the board which may have been
subjected to criticism, did not grow
out OF any feeling over the late CO.
ordination matter. Any attempt to
ascribe the actions Of the board 10
feeling over this matter can only be
intended to divert the public mind
from tho real issues and can serve no
good purpose. The result OF the CO.
ordination matter in the last leEisla-
ture was accepted in good faith by
this board, and no one who has at
tended >the board meetings the past
year could help being convinced OF
this, and that the action of the board
and all its members on matters COM
ing before it has had no relation to-
the coordination matter. nor has its
action been influenced by any feeling
growing out Of 1t.
ut Is the policy Of the board I"
maintain and build up all institutions
and departments in our instltu lions OF
higher learning. which are authorized
bv the legislature. to the highest de-
gree OF efficiency which the available
resources furnished by the legislature
will permit.
(SigneN D. D. MURPHY. President,
Iowa State Board of Education.