The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-07-18
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT CHOSEN
WILLIAM SPENCER CURRELL,
LECTURER AND SCHOLAR, Is
CHOSEN PRESIDENT.
Rsard Of Trustees Express Its Apprc-
csstion of Work Of Dean Who Has
Becn Acting President for Months-
New President Born In Charles
ton.

Columbia. July 15.-wiliiam Spence,
Currell. q South Carolinian. who ha.
been at the head Of the department
Of English Of Washington and Lee
university at Lexington. Va, for the
last 20 years. was yesterday elected
president OF the university to succeed
DR., 3. c. Mitchell. who resigned sew.
sral months ago and has since beer
elected president o. the University OF
Delaware.
After the meeting Of the board OF
trustees Of the university yesterday
the following statement was issued In
regard to the election Of DR.. Currell
a. tho president Of the university.
Tho board Of trustees of the Uni
versity Of South Carolina today elect
Cd DR.. William Spencer Crreli as
president. This action was taken
after mature and careful consideration
and after many names had been con-
s'dsrsd. DR.. Curreil was most highly
recommended by personal friends and
scqusintances-the first suggestion Of
his name coming to q member Of the
board In personal conversation with
Col. Asbury Coward. who had known
Dr. Currell as lad In Yorkvillc,
whore the elder Currell had been a
successful teacher. This suggestion
Wa followed. as DR.. Currell was In no
way . candidate for the place and
ovst'tures were made him. Later on
. special committee Of four members
OF the board went to Richmond
whore for an entire day the represen.
tauves Of the board and DR.. Currel
went over the matter and at today.
meeting DR.. Currell's name was for.
mslly presented by special commit,
tee OF SIX. known a. the president. :.
committee .-
The board was anxious 70 secure
% the head Of tho university a South
Casolinian Of the highest character. OF
culture and who at tho same time
couid and would continue the excel
lent outside work inaugurated by DR.
q. e. Mitchell while he was president
OF the university. The purpose Of the
board ID for the president Of tho In.
ssitution. wherever he can. to sprea,
the evsngel Of education and for thi,
DR.. Curreii In especially suited. Ions
having been recognized as q public
speaker Of rare attractiveness.
DIR. Currell was born sc years age
In Charleston and as boy lived ir
this state. and his connections and
people are still essentially South Car.
olian. He; was called out Of the
State to occupy chairs In the depart.
ment Of English. first at Hampden-
Sidney. then at Davidson and for 20
years has been at the head Of the de.
partment Of English at Washington
and Lee.
The board found from It's inquiries
that Dr. Currell was man of the
highest character. of lovable disposi-
uon. q fine speaker and that he had
the utmost confidence and admira-
tion Of all who have ever been asso-
cisted with him and his boys were
enthusiastic about him.
The board Mt Its meeting today
took occasion to unanimously adopt
resolutions thanking Dr. A. G.. Moore.
who has been acting president Of the
university for some time. and to record
its highest appreciation Of his excel
lent administration and the patriotic
and scslous spirit that he has thrown
into the work.
Gov. Blcase sent letter to the
board. stating that no could not be
present on account Of the campaign
meeting. but asked that nc be record
cd an voting for Dr. Moore as prcsi-
dent. Ills letter was recorded in the
minutes.
Tho board acted upon a number
administrative matters that had to
he considered and adjourned for two
weeks"
william Spencer Curreii was born
In Charleston on May ~. 1858. He
was the son OF william and Agnes
Wifkis Currell. He received the de-
srees OF bachelor OF arts and bachelor
OF pedagogy from Washington and
Lee university In 1878. the degrees of
master OF arts In 1879 and the degree
of doctor OF philosophy I'm 1882
from tho same institution.
On June 2s. 1883. DIR. Currcli mar
ried Miss Sarah Scott OF Darlington.
va. He was professor Of English of
Hampden-Sidney college. Va. from
1882 70 1856. In 1886 he was elected
to the chair OF English at Davidson
college. n. G. He severed his con-