Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-06
DEAN PERKINS GRAFTON.


Dean G. II. Perkins delivered the ora
ton on the subject. The University
during the Professorship of John L.
Goodrich" from 1872 to 1906. Dean
Perkins said in part:
Others have satisfactorily and SO
tenderv expressed our love and rever
ence for Professor Goodrich that | shall
not attempt to add to that which has
been done so well. Rather than this |
wish to speak of the development of the
college to which he gave so much of his
best. of which he was SO large a part
and which could not have become what
it is had he not been what he was.
AS a student, from the fall of 1S9
when he entered college until he gradu-
ated in 1853. Mr.. Goodrich had full OPP
portunity to know the Undergraduate life
Of the institution. He grew up in its
atmosphere and assimiatcd it's traditions.
Although for 20 years engaged in occupa-
tons elsewhere he was never far away
in spirit and when in 1872 he took the
wide chair of rhetoric, English literature
and Latin he came into no strange in
heritance. After five years his work
was readjusted and he was professor of
he had only Latin.
am sure that most of those now nv-
ing can not realize how very different
was the college to which Professor
Goodrich came in 1872 from that with
which we are familiar Although cher
ishng the same ideals and aims it was
essentially another institution. Exter-
nally-can you know what the campus
was then in its pasture like disorder and
the extreme planness Of Its few build
ings, none of which are to-day as they
were then. The front campus was not
only uncared for. but was surrounded by
a most dismal fence, made still more
ugly by an ungainly arch at tho College
street end of the walk and another in
front of the main building. all painted a
hideous black-brown. There was the
presidents house, the museum, the main
building and few dwelling houses be-
sides the nucleus Of the engineering
building, but no library, Science hall,
Converse hall, Morrill, hall nor gymnasium
and the first named buildings then oc-
cupied have been much remodelled since
those days. And the faculty-a presl-
dent, six professors in the then called
These were ALL leaving out the medical
department. which then had only slight
connection with the others In the stu
dent body there were 10 seniors. 70
juniors II sophomores and 20 freshmen
All studies were required and the list
Of those given Seems very limited to us
OF to-day. The engineering department
was poorly equipped. Professor Barbour
alone constituted its faculty and yet, II
we may Judge from the record since made
by the men who graduated a g engineers,
the work done was Of a high order
There was an agricultural department,
but for a time no special instructors
Tho agricultural students We're Obliged to
take such subjects as could be given by
the professors IN the other depa rtments
Other changes taking place during
Professor GOodi1ch's connection with the
college, referred to by tho speaker. were
the Introduction OF the elective system in
1850 md the admission OF women into the
Vulnerable articles We're being written on
the inadvtsability Of coeducation. with
it's probable loss of feminine charm and
delicacy. as we'll as strain on their in
ferior strength and their more limited
means and extra burdens. Honor lists and
Phi Beta Kappa catalogues show the
fallaCy of these objections.
Dean Perkins next spoke of Professor
Goodrich's deep interest in books and his
service as librarian, When ne was first
appointed, the library was incenveniently
housed in what is now the second floor
Of the museum building. but this room, in
spite of all its deficiencies. was to him
n most delightful spot 1t must have been
a supreme satisfaction, however. when
Mr. Billings provided the present build
ing which we all now greatly enjoy.
Ono of our most prominent alumni has
written words which 1t seems einnently
| fitting to repeat on this celebration OF
the Founder day. which Professor Good
rich more than any other founded: THE
traditions OF our New England colleges
are the finest possession Of the country.
These traditions go back to the class
room, where the influence that abldes was
derived from some wise, gentle and strong
soul with whom the boy or girl came In
contact day by day for a period of
years. The University OF Vermont is
largely what it Is because of the success
sion of such personalities in its history.
John Ellsworth Goodrich was one of
these"
ELECTION TO HONORARY SOCIE-
| The announcement Of the new members
OF the Boulder and Key and Serpent SEN
Tor and junior honorary societies was
| made, as follows:
| BOULDER: Wesley Thomas Abel Of St
ALBANIA Charles FranciS Bald1,lp Of Is