The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-15
AN OPEN LETTER TO
RICHMOND CITIZEN

appeal Of Richmond college In its mil
lion doiiar campaign for an endow-
ment and enlargement fund. has just
been prepared by the citizens commit
tee. which will assist the Institution
T a. = " r. ~, ssee no. %tyT
The communication which VIII be
widely distributed. bears the signature
OF John Stewart Bryan, general chair
man, and of committees representing
the chamber of commerce. the Retail
Merchants association. the Rotary
club and Richmond college. 1t fol-
lows:
Ten years ago Richmond college
aeked the business men OF Richmond
plete rebuilding and enlargement
fund of half a million dollars. In a
ten.:dey campaign in November. 1908.
the money was pledged and by Janu-
airy !, 1914, II had been paid. Imme-
diately following this campaign the
college corporation began to erect on
spacious grounds about westhampton
lake substantial buildings for Rich
mond college and for new co-or-
dinate college for women called West
hampton college. The buildings and
their equipment cost approximately
H,tbo,060. They were occupied from
the fall Of 1914 until June. 1915. when.
at the urgent request OF the war de-
partment they were vacated by the coll
ieges for use by the surgeon general
as hospital for wounded soldiers
from overseas.
Although the new campus was spa
cfous and attractive and the Gothic
buildings were permanent and beauti-
full. II was expected that removal
would cause decrease In city attend
nnce and that for some years enroll
ment would increase but little. OFFICIAL
reports show. however. that in the ten
years from the time Of the last Rich
mond campaign in 1903 to the present
session the total attendance Of stu
dents increased from 270 to ga. The
dormitories and laboratories at West
hampton are today inadequate to acc
commodate the present body OF stu
dents.
Campaign Halted in 1917.
Foreseeing two years ago that there
must be early enlargement of facul-
ties. dormitories and all equipment. the
college trustees launched in April. 1917.
a statewide camraign for 100000
or this amount $500, 200 was designated
for permanent endowment. 5000, 600 for
additional dormitories and other build
inEs. and 100000 for free tuition
The war, with it's de-
mands upon philanthropy. and also the
dered the campaign In the state, but
already the college officials report cash
ana good pledges amounting to over
100000. This time Richmond In asked
70 give 100000 in addition to what has
already been pledged II this is done.
the college has full assurance that the
'nftlion dollar fund will be speedily
completed. The whole amount will be
spenf or invested In Richmond for the
benefit of higher education, as was the
shoh,oho raised ten years ago IT IL
reasonable to expect that as soon as
This money is paid and the new build
nes erected that Richmond will have
group or standard colleges enrolling
avery year 1900 students
Majority OF Students From Rjchmoud. |
1t is worth recalling in this connec. /,
ion that the majority of young peon,e I
sither find college near their homes |
,r they go without college adyantsres
treat and renowned as is Harvard mi
'ersity. 81 per cent OF It's students !
,ome from radius of fifty miles. i
since the majority of Richmond bows
snd girls Will either attend Richmond
md Westhnmpton colleges or not enter i
college at all. IT is to the interest OF |
vary citizen that these colleges have |
lbie teachers and be provided with all |
needed facilities of instruction Al
sreat and growing city requires !,
'reat and growing institution Of high /
r iearnirg. II is also to the advantage /
u every citizen that tbs group Of COL
eGes SHAH attract to our cjtv nm In l.
reasing group Of students from other
ections for the four years Of college
work.
Whhe Richmond college has shown /
charitable growth In recent Years. its |
income has not kent mace
WIN the enrolment OF students. The
most serious financial handicap has
'een INC inability OF the trustees TO,
market the old campus on west Rrosd
'reef. and the consequent necessity Of
orrowing money 70 nav for the great
at westhampton -rha
o'aI value OF all land IN the ola co,x
age campus. whether sold or unsoIa
as gone into the new buildings. while
'alting for the old campus to be SOLD
Jus entirety the college is paying
easy interest and taxes. On this ac-
cunt the years of war have been For |,
richmond college hard year. f,nan- |,
Tally. The trustees hope that these
Dts can soon he sold and all dehts /.
AID The million dollars now heinz
aised Will then make possible great
cveionm~nt ana enlargement.
How the Fund VIII he Usel.
among the specific gifts sought IN
he million-dollar campaign are.
For endowment-s5no.o 900 ~ L.
ored that 100000 of this amount NAV
Q given for school OF business al. Il
including instruction IN
banking and accountacy
For buildings--s300.0 900. or This /,
mount $50 600 has been pledged hv |;
.larence Mfllhiser 70 erect the Roger |,
I'ilhiser memorial gymnasium. There
re also urgently and Immediately
eeded G) dormitory for women
So 600: ca dormitory for men. $50.
90; fS) laboratory building. finn
90; 90 laundry. $4,000: Coy a dairy.
,en. $4,000. '''
For one hundred scho,ar.h,n.I
geo, 600. Two thousand dollars In cash
r liberty bonds Pounds a perpetnai
paving the annual tuition
ee OF one student in either college
GIFTS to cover any Of the nead.
Mentioned win be gratefully ACCENTED
making up the 100000 asked of
richmond. There have been many "a
emit campaigns for money in our civ
ut this appeal cannot be postnonsS
or neglected. II Is an appeaI for hirh-
= educational opportunities for On
wn children and for our nairhhor.,
hf1dren. The need for higher eavc.
ION was never more imnerative than
I this time. We heartily commana
ne Undertaking of Richmond cnIIars
M Westhampton college 10 all ~.
itizens OF Richmond ana ssr