Evening star., 1919-06-18
cornell TO HOLD
SEMECENTENN|AL
Six Thousand Expected to
Attend Four-Day CeIebra-
ton Beginning Tomorrow.

| Special Dispatch TO The Star.
| ITHACA, n. Y, June 1S.-Untouched
| by age. save as time has added vigor
and strength, Cornell University can
now contemplate the splendid har-
vests of fifty years" A half century
of active work is rounding out, and
fitting observance of the semi-cen-
tennial will render the commencement
season notable occasion this year.
! Exercises commemorating the ami
versary will be held during the four
days beginning tomorrow. Already
the town is filled with alumni who
have returned to their alma mater to
help her celebrate her golden jubilee.
1t is estimated that fully six thou
sand visitors will be in Ithaca to at
tend the celebration. Among them
will be many of the notables of the
nation-sons of Cornell who have
risen to eminence in the arts and
professions, in the business world
and in the service Of their country.
The leading educational institutions
of America are sending their presl-
dents or faculty members to help
of New York, which is extremely
proud of the university and all that 1t
has accomplished during the half CEN
tury of Its existence, will be off1ciaily
represented at the ceremonies by
Gov. Smith. former Gov. Charles r.
Hughes and Chief Judge Hiscock OF
the state court of appeals.
Statue to Be Unveiled.
The celebration will culminate Sun
day in the unveiling of a statue of
Ezra Cornell. the founder of the great
educational institution which bears
his name. The event will be accom-
panied with impressive exercises con-
Quoted in the presence of what
promises to be one of the most
notable gatherings of its kind ever
held in this country.
II would found an institution where
any person can find instruction in any
study" So said Ezra Cornell some
fifty years ago when he made public
the plans for the university which he
intended to endow with portion OF
the great wealth he had accumulated
through his own exertions.
Founding of Cornell.
In 1852 Congress had passed the
memorable land-grant act under
which New York received $50; goo
president Of the state Agricultural
Society and trustee Of the State
Agricultural College, which was To-
Gated at Ovid. and was languishing
Tor want OF 1unQS. ne dlSO was d
member of the state legislature.
which adopted his suggestion to
transfer the Agricultural College to
Ithaca and confer on it the land scrip
that Congress had assigned to New
York under the land-grant act. He
at the same time gave his own farm
to the college and an endowment,
also, of 100000.
Mr.. Cornell himself bought the land
scrip and bound himself to locate
the nearly 100000 acres Of land and
to sell them for the benefit of the
university. transferring to 1t all his
profits from these sales. Thus the
university came into possession of
an endowment Of enormous magni-
tude. and found itself able to carry
on the work assigned to 1t with as
tonishing success.
University's Great Prosperity.
Cornell University today is enjoy
Ing the greatest prosperity of its
half century of existence. A uni
versity in name, it Is still a college
in spirit and traditions. In the cele-
bration of its golden jubilee 1t may
regard the past with satisfaction and
the future with hope and confidence.
It possesses funds sufficient for all
its Immediate purposes, a contented
faculty and a capable president. loyal
students and alumni and an envfablc
reputation in the educational world
as a positive force for the advance
ment Of learning.