The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-09-19
c. w. AVERILL & CO., BARR

ised to be with us through the entire
year. He has intimated that it must be
his last year, that he feels that he has
earned the right TO rest after IS years
of service Of this college, during which
he has not only instructed a larger mum.
Der Of pupils than any man who ever
taught in Middlebury, but has also borne
far more than his share of administra-
tive labor. Three presidents have leaned
on him for counsel and not one of them
but would testify that he had in Prof
Wright his kindest critic and his most
faithful friend
In speaking of the appointment of
Profs. de Nisme and Lacalle, Pres Thorn
as said: One advance we are making at
this time deserves especial attention. For
several years past the Middlebury col
lege summer season has been acquiring
an Increasing reputation for the excel
lence Of its work in modern languages.
The method first brought to us by Dr.
Lillian l.. Stroebe Of Vassar college in
the study of German has been extended
to French and Spanish under the able
leadership of profs. de Visme and La.
Gale. That method in brief has been
to secure exclusive attention TO the study
of the one language and TO organize the
teachers and students into social group.
living together in separate building
and in as nearly a foreign atmosphere
as possible, and maintaining the con
slant and exclusive use of the foreign
speech in social life as well as in the
class room. Our success was evident
the past summer by the attendance of
representatives from 20 states and three
foreign countries including graduates
from over 80 colleges and universities
and many holders of advanced degrees.
1T has been at least unfortunate that
there has been slight connection between
this summer session effort and@the regu-
lar work of the standard academic year
We have had virtually two colleges, hav-
ing little in common except that they
used the same plant at different times
am glad TO say that we are now in
position to remedy this situation and
are to-day making a beginning which
may be expected in good time to bring
our modern language work in the college
year to the same enviable position our
summer session enjoys. Prof. de Visme
comes to us as head of the division Of
modern languages and Senorita Rodri.
guez, one of the successful instructors
at the recent Spanish school, is here as
instructor in Spanish. A year hence we
expect Senior Lacale to transfer his al
legiance from the Z. S. Naval academy
to Middlebury as a permanent instructor
There is here the possibility of the de-
velopment of peculiar excellence in
Middlebury college which may prove Of
great Importance.
"A college is public institution and
its executive is called upon for many
duties outside its walls. There is need
OF an officer of the faculty to give spe.
cial attention TO matters Of curriculum
and educational policy, to assist in in
ternal administration on the academic
side as distinct from the work of deans
in matters of discipline and in moral and
social leadership, and to have care for
the harmonious organization of the fac
ulty for the best work of which the col.
lege is capable In some institutions
such an officer is called the provost. Dr.
Collins has grown naturally into the
work. especially in his management of
the summer session and during my alb
sence last year, and | am pleased to an
nounce that the trustees have recognized
his efficiency by giving him the title Of
provost and designating him to the re
sponsibilities of that Office,
"There is one other name | must pro-
nounce-this morning and ! regret that it
cannot be word of welcome back to his
official duties We shall miss again this
year The active help of Prof. McGilton,
for 27 years head Of the department of
chemistry A teacher OF enthusiasm and
Of power to inspire, whose ability to
lead others to his own passionate love
of his chosen science has long been evil
dent in the success of our graduates in
the chemical field, his absence from our
laboratories will be keenly felt, but we
trust we may still have the benefit of
his friendly interest and counsel and that
further rest may restore him to his old
ttYta Yiuor .