The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-05
Thirteen Colonels in the Army
Medical Corps. Says Presi-
dent Alderman
ANNUAL CONVOCATION
MARKED BY SIMPLICITY
Thirty Per Cent Loss in En-
rollment Regarded as Repre-
scnting Sacrifice Demanded
by Hostilities With Germany

Especial to The Richmond virginian,)
Charlottesville. Va. October 4.--Im-
pressive convocatiop day exercises
marked by wartime sinpiiclty were
held today at the University Of Vir-
ginia The enrolment ts 80 per cent
less than last year. With a probable
total of 7S0 and the following an
nouucer@pt " as made hy President Al
dermsn as to the representation OF Vir-
giuia In the various branches OF the
United states service:
"Of the University of Virginia s
alumni. 20 per cent are actively en-
gagged IN some form OF service for the
government This represents approx
mately 1,sh0 men. They are distributed
in the various phases or wRr work as
follows: Commissioned officers in navy
and army ranking from second lieu
tenant 10 mator--31e; nou-cous and
prtvRtes, FL; second Q. n. IT. C. new In
training. I4o; English army and medi-
cal corps. 2. In the medical reserve
corps Virginia claims sixty-sigh'
commissioned officers and l5s nom
CONS and prtvates: In the army medi-
cal corps she has sixty-three men rank
ing from first lieutenant so colonel
~ the latter rank there are thirteen
aud ninety-Eeven non-coms and pri-
Yates"
In welcoming the students and greet
ing the audience in Cabeii ball. Presi-
dent Alderman spoke So follows;
This cssnv@cnsisn ceremony exists 20
enable complex body like a university
10 comprehend the essential unity OF IS
life We are gathered here at the out
set of another year TO behold this unity
and TO pledge ourselves TO 4 common
effort to carry CA vigorously the un-
broken life Of a great institution. -
The facts ns attendance ara as fellows.
College lsfs-l7. ss7 lei7-is. &ts;
per cent loss, %
Graduate. isls-17. 40; 1stT-is, Az;
per cent loss, ST.
law. lsls-17. 2ai is17-1s. %; per
cent loss SIS
Medicine. i9rs-rT. 1os; HsIT-fs IS;
per cent loss, 10 Ia
rngtneertng 1867. 1T; isi7-ls
%; per cent loss. Is
Totals, 1861. 1850: 1al7-ls. 7e2
Per cent loss on total, so
Registration from Virginia. 4ss: reg
lstratton from Tennessee. 81: reEistra-
tion from North Carolina. -: regtstra =
tion from Kentucky. "a; registration
from West Virginia, is; registration
from Alabama, Is.
This - per cent loss means simply
and that war has taken Its toll OF our
life We accept the loss with certain
keen sorrow. but also with a solemn
pride. We share this loss In common
with all patriotic American universi-
ties. our loss being about the normal
in American college life.
Our supreme task for this wear IL
20 care for this vigorous body OF men
and 70 find ways In our state and ma
fionai life to make the power OF the
university felt periodically and scien-
tihcalt'. There are four duties and
privileges I would perform at the out
set of this address, To the sons OF
this university, young ana old. who
are serving the nation on land or sea
In air. in training camps and canton
ments. in hospital or ambulance corps
our thoughts so first in sympathy and
tenderness and pride. God keep their
manhood strong and protect their
lives, IL 1t be His will!
Il would care to express TO those who
are organizing and who will constitute
Base hospital. No. II. our appreciation
Of their energy and intelligence. and
to that great hroad-minded benevolent
order. the Elks of America. we extend
our thanks for their generosity and
far-seeing patriotism. and finally to one
OF our colleagues. DR.. C. w. Kent.
whose health has become impaired, I
would send from his colleagues and
pupils a message of simple affection
and good will coupled with the hope
and belief that he will soon be at his
old task OF teaching and serving the
university with skill and devotion.
Fourthly, commend to your generos-
ity and substantial helpfulness the
movement TO provide libraries for our
soldiers and sailors. Our men need
healthy minds in healthy bodies. They
are of a character. brain and heart that
demand good reading. Libraries con-
stitute one Of the comforts of life
which soldiers of democracy ought TO
be provided with. and can think of
no finer service for college men to do
than to help their men in the camps TO
keep in touch with the things of mind
and heart to be found In hooks"
Convocation day at Virginia differed
from previous similar occasions In that
this year the principal address was de-
livered by President Alderman. He
described In eloquent terms the changes
In education. which will be forced by
wars grim teachings. and the duty OF
educated men In this crisis OF their
country's fate.