Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-10-16
NORWICH OBSERVES
CENTENNIAL DAY
Notable Group of Educators
Present at Formal Celebration
of University's One Hurdreth
Anniversary


sity. was observed as centennial day and
brought together a notable group Of edu-
Gators. The eventS.opened this morning
with the dedication Of the new stair
way which was followed by the centen-
nial lunch. the educational conference
this afternoon and the reception at
Dewey hall. Col. Ira l.. Reeves. L. S. A,
Washington. president of the A. E. r.
University at Beaune, France. presided,
end Lieut.-Col. John D. Murphy, Nor
wich. IL. now OF Natick. Mass, the
Youngest lieutenant Of artillery in the
army. was marshall Representatives Of
IA colleges and prominent State officials
were In the academic procession to :he
new entrance
The Hon. Alexander Dunnett Of St
Johnsbury gave the dedication address
and to three little sons of the late
Capt. Phillip 3. Sherman. ~ L.. 1907,
was accorded the honor of untying the
ribbons which were the Norwich colors
and walking down the granite steps 10
in number, each inscribed with a uni
versity officials name designated by the
donor. Captain Sherman was the f1rst
Norwich man TO meet death at the
hands Of the enemy. going down on the
Tuscania. The idea for the beautiful
new entrance was conceived by Capt.
Henry w. Orser. trea surer of the univer-
city. and all the plans were carried out
by him. Former CONGRESSMAN Frank
Plumley of this town gave the centen-
NAL address and the centennial lunch
took place at the mess hall, 1t being an
informal gathering.
At Dewey hall this afternoon was held
en- educational conference. presided over
by Or. Berbert r. Roberts dean Of the
university, % years a professor there
and for two years acting president. the
university having the distinction of carry
ing the college through the war period
At the roll call the following colleges
responded:
Brown. Dean Randall
Dartmouth Dean Emerson.
University of Vermont. Dean J. T..
Hills.
Williams President Harry A. Garfield.
Union University. the Rev. Fraser Metz.
ger of Randolph
Middlebury. President John NJ Thomas.
Bowdon, Prof F. l.. Woodruff
Amherst, President Alexander Meikle-
iohn.
Wesleyan University. Professor Rice.
Mount Holyoke. Professor stokey.
Worcester Polytechnic institute Prof.
Arthur D. Butterfield.
Clark University. DR. j. W. Sprowles
Clark College. Professor ]. s. French.
St. Michael's College the Rev. j. +.
Doyle.
Boston University. Dean Roberts of Nor
wich.
State Commiss ioner of Education NJ
F.. Hillegas of Montpelier. represented
the State board of education and also
brought greetings from the Teachers
College of Columbus University. An
address was given by DR.. Meiltlejohn
whose subject was THE American
College in Seclusion Or. Garfield
spoke on The American College and
Industry and Major Charles w. Ell
lott, T. s. A.. representing the war
department. spoke on The American
College and National Defense"
Guard mounting and evening parade
were held at the close of the confer
ence. The members of the general com
mittee which had charge of the ar
rangements for the centennial which
were carried through SO successfully
were Prof X. r. B. Flint, chairman
Prof. c. V. Woodbury. and C. n. Bar
her. They were assisted by Edward
Council, Amongst the guests presen,
to-day were Lieut.. Gov. Mason s
Stone. State Commi ssioner of Agricul-
ture e. s. Brigham; state Purchasing
Agent George E Carpenter and Major
Lee s. Tillotson of Montpelier.
matter of interest in connection
with the centennial was the an
nouncement. following meeting OF
Theta Chi Fraternity that twenty
49, L.
been subscribed and arrangements
January /, 1920.
MIR. PLUMLEY's ADDRESS
Mr., Plumley spoke in part rs fol.
lows;
The institution. whose centennial ami
versary we celebrate was founded by
Capt. Alden Partridge and the corner
stone Of its first building was laid on Fri.
day, August 6. 1919. II bore the name OF
the American Literary. Scientific and Mil
itary Academy
Alden Partridge was horn February Il
l7s5. at Norwich, VT, being the second son
4nd one Of seven children of Samuel Par
fridge, Jr., and Elizabeth tWrighD Par
fridge, They came from Connecticut
about the year l765 and located on a hill
farm some two miles west of Norwich
village. On October %, 1905 he graduated
from West Point and on the 9th day OF
March 1907 he was commissioned by Pres
ident Jefferson first lieutenant in the
corps Of engineers. his office to date from
October 80, 1906. That he had taken a
most enviable rank as student while
at West Point is proven by the fact that
from November 4, 1906, to April 20. 1872
he was assistant professor of mathematics
at West Point, and professor from Apri
! 20, 1912. On the first day of September OF
| that year 1913 he was nominated by the
| president as Professor of the art Of en-
| cheering" He was superintendent Al
| West Point from January B. 1915 to No
vember %, 1915, and again from January
IL, 1917 to- July 26, 1917. While superin
tendent he framed code of regulations
| for the government of the institution
and also a course Of study for the cadet.
to pursue, both of which received the ap
| prevail Of the proper authority
| In the early part OF 1919 he was tn,
government engineer in charge of thu
northeastern survey, under the 5th ar
ticle Of the Treaty of Client. In July o
that year he resigned and returned tc
his home In Norwich. that he might ther,
effect his plan of education which h,
had been carefully considering and study
ing since 1910, Norwich was then tn,
sixth town in population and among tn,
wealthtest, II not the wealthiest OF tn,
| towns in that county. 1t numbered
among its residents not a few who wer.
wealthy and cultured and who sympa
thized deeply and heartily with Captain
| Partridge In his efforts to advance tn,