The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-18
VALUE OF THE SMt | COLLEGE IS PROVED BY ITS ALUMNI LIST Nathan l.. Miller Writes On Importance of the Institu-
 tiOns to Birmingham ARE A CIVIC ASSET
 OF PROVED VALUE Investments In These Colleges Will Continue to Bring Returns In the
 Form of Fully Equipped
 Men

Blrmingham's two colleges, Howard and Birmingham, justify community support beca,ise of the record they have made irsthe past in turning out men equipped for fife, and this past record Is simply an indication of the greater deeds these institutions will perform in the future in case they are given plenty of oppor- tunity and aid, according to Nathan L.. Miller. MT. Miller writes
 'The public spirited citizens of this city are being asked to consider these institutions as civic assets and enter prises, and to make substantial invest ments in them
 Are these institutions entitled to be considered civic assets? Would such in- vestments pay?
 They are small colleges, and in rea- sonable probability it will be many years before they are large colleges or uni- colleges, are they worth while? Will investments in them pay? What have they done up to now? What citizens has the city of Birmingham, or the state of Alabama, whose usefulness has been en- hanced by the work of either of these institutions?
 Howard college has been in existence for 75 years, during which time there have graduated from it many strong men, and great many others have received its training and instruction without att taining to one of the degrees.
 AMONG THE GRADUATES
 ssOf this period of existence it has been located at East Lake for 30 years, ana there are now in Jefferson county about 125 of it's graduates, and probably 4oo other men who have received its train ing and instruction. Tn the rest Of the state there are 250 living graduates, ana about 700 others who have received such training and instruction, making at least 15Oo men now living in Alabama Many others are scattered.
 What has been said of Howard college may be said with equal truth or Bir- mingham college when considered m connection with the Southern university at Greensboro. Considering these two colleges together they have within the bounds of Alabama many graduates. Probably there are to be found within Jefferson county 6o graduates of these two schools, and within the state or Ala hama several hundred more.
 "These men constitute great civic as sets. and when investments were being made in these men and being worked out through these institutions, the foun- dations of the states fortune were being laid.
 FIELD OF USEFULNESS
 "A candid consideration of the men who have been trained in these respective colleges immediately impresses us that the small college has it's field of useful ness, and that it is not necessary to be a graduate of a large university, but that the product of the small college. as well, may be the best educated and the most useful of our citizens. If these colleges can continue to put out like product in men, investments in them will be of the highest order. It is not the size of the college but the ideals which they instil. and the courage and faith which they inspire. which determines the fates of their pupils.
 "One ship drives East, another drives
 West,
 While the selfsame breezes blow, Iris the set of the sails. and not the
 gales,
 That bids them where they go Like the winds of the air, are the wars
 of the fates,
 As we journey along through life, 'Tis the set of the soul that decides the
 goal,
 And not the storm or the strife"
 NATHAN L. MILLER.