Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-07-01

the University of Vermont and state Ag-
ricultural College, Gentlemen:
The record of the one hundred twenty
fourth year of the University Of Vermont
is practically closed / bring you now the
fourth annual report of my stewardship
as president Some shadows have fallen
across our pathway during the year. for
death has come very close to us. 1t has
even claimed one member of this board
II has deprived us of the inspiration or
great scholar who added lustre to the
university through dong lie OF success
ful teaching Within two months Mrs
elias Lyman the wife Of one or our most
loval and efficient trustees ana Charles
f Allen, marshal Of the university and,
for fortv-dve years, the secretary of the
Alumni association. and Governor j. @.
Mccullough have been called from the
cares of time to the rewards of eternity.
On the twenty-fourth of February John
Ellsworth Goodrich, of the class of 1858,
professor emeritus Of Latin, went to his
coronstion Words are utterly Inadequate
IN convey the sense of loss those who
love the university feel because of the
nassing of these faithful friends A beau
tifil wife and mother whose hospitality
WIS always so generously dispensed,
nose interested in the university a ra-
diant and optimistic son of the univer-
sitv. who in the service of alma mater
never counted any sacrifice too great to
make: loyal benefactor and wise coun-
selor; and a ripe Christian scholar, teach
err and patriot of blessed influence havo
left us. but their memories will abide in
constant inspiration to the same bea uti-
ful and effective devotion so character
istic Of them when they lived and worked
and sympathized with us
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
The year on the whole has been one Of
progress. While We may not rejoice in
the full fruiton Of all our hopes, the
story Of the university during these four
years has been one of steady improve
ment
Since our last annual meeting 923 stu
dents have been enrolled during all ses
sions and in all departments. OF this
number. go were in attendance during
the unusually large summer school OF
1914 sc We're agricultural snort course
students during the recent six weeks
term, and coz have been enrolled in the
various colleges Of the university from the
beginning of the regular academic wear
last September The entering class was
somewhat smaller than the one Of the
preceding year hut. for the first time our
attendance has exceeded 500 students In
the academic colleges One hundred and
three were enrolled in the college Of med
icine and that fact Is evidence of n graf
flying growth following the raised stand
ards of admission for medical students
through the requirement. of n prelimin-
airy wear of academic preparation.
II Is pleasant to report that the num-
her of students from Vermont in the four
college classes has increased from 80 in
lTO-ll to 3al in 191i-15. showing n growth
in Vermont patronage of 152 during tho
first quadronnium of the present admin
istration now closing. Seventy-cght per
cent. or our academic students are from
this State which would seem to Indicate
that the university is performing its mis-
sion as a State institution to constant
~ growing constituency of Vermont
young people
MILITARY DISTINCTION.
The Morrill, land grant law establishing
colleges of agriculture in the various
States of the Union made instruction in
military drill and tactics condition Of
federal aid In some institutions this re-
Quirement has been honored more in
breach or laxity than in strict com1,li-
ance with law. The University Of Yer
mont does not plead guilty to any such
neglect OF obligation Under the inspiring
leadership of Captain Ira L. Reeves, L..
S. A. commandant of the university, our
students have become deeply interested
in the work of the military department.
There is not mere perfunctory attendance
upon military duty in this institution
The members Of our university battalion
have far surpassed the demands of the
war department so that as a result OF
our most recent inspection We have been
placed In the distinguished class" the
highest rank open to any institution of
university or college rank in the United
States. This means that one cadet officer
Is eligible to appointment a lieutenant
In the regular army Immediately after his
graduation. This is the first time the uni
versity has ever attained this high rank
Furthermore the inspecting officer re-
ported To me personally that the work
of our military department surpassed
that of any institution visited by him.
This is high praise and Captain Reeves
by devotion to duty has made 1t pos
sihle.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
Benefactions to educational institutions
throughout the country have been notably
less during the past few months than in
previous years The unsettled financial
situation produced by abnormal condi-
tons all over the world seems to be the
explanation.
Miss Elizabeth Billings has evidenced
the continued interest OF her family in
the welfare Of the university by liberal
gift Of money to provide for the proper
cataloguing Of the valuable collection OF
facsimile gems of the Tfflzi gallery 80
generously given to the Marsh library by
her late beloved mother, Doctor Ogle,
the head Of our department of Latin.
has assumed the responsibility for the
prepa ration Of this catalogue | am sure
the trustees will he glad to make proper
acknowledgment to him and that you will
wish especially to send a formal but
hearty, expression Of gratitude to Miss
Billings for her gift
Since the last annual meeting OF the
board the addition TO the gymnasium has
been completed and we are enjoying long
needed facilities for indoor military drill.
base ball practice and other athletic ex-
ercises
The problem of properly housing our
college professors is one that may we'll
engage the attention Of your honorable
body, II is highly essential that the mem
bers of our educational staff should live
close to their work on the T'niyersitV