Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-06
Cheering Note
President Alley
at u. Of M. BANQUET

at u. OF M. Banquet
Orono, June 4-Dr. Robert J. Alley,
president of the University of Maine.
sounded note of optimism and cheer
in his address this evening at the
annual alumni banquet, in which he
discussed the growth of the univer-
sity the last 10 years, and referred to
the outlook for the future as bright.
DR.. Alley was frequently interrupted
by applause.
More than 500 alumni, alumnae and
friends were seated at the tables,
which were spread in the spacious
gymnasium. Allan w. Stephens of
New York City, a member of the class
of '99 and president of the General
| Alumni Association. presided as toast
master and by stories and witty ref
erences enlivened the occasion. Be-
sides President Alley the most promi-
nent speakers were: Samuel w. Gould
n, eX-president of the board of trus-
tees of the university; Hosea D. Buck,
| '93, of Bangor, recently nomina ed
alumni member of the board of trus-
tees; Louis c. Southland, rs, chair
man of the executive committee of the
Alumni Advisory Council; Brigadiar
General Mark l.. Hersey, U. S. =,
commanding officer at Camp Devens,
Mass. In addition to these speakers.
representatives from the reunion
classes of '76. 81, Sc, 81, go, 1901, 1906,
1911 and 1916 made spirited remarks.
DR.. Alley spoke as follows:
For four years we have had strug-
gle, hard work. and some discourage
ments. These experiments have not
been peculiar to this institution.
They are widespread. Their causes lie
deep in the general unrest of the
world Suspicion without due warrant
and severe criticism not based upon
actual facts have been rampant and
have caused trouble in business, in
dustry and society. Matters are in
process of adjustment, conditions are
improving and everything bids ialr
soon to be back to normal
There is an old hymn that invokcs
the splendid sentiment of counting
our blessings. l believe it may be of
little While some of the real achieve
ments of your Alma Mater. I desire
particularly to call your attention 10
the growth and development of the
last decade. In doing this l have 40
intention of emphasizing or even call
ing attention to my own part in this
work. What little I have done las
been due to the planning and direc-
ton of an excellent board Of trustees,
to the hearty cooperation of a strons
and enthusiastic faculty. to the help
full and inspiring attitude of a great
body of Students to the interested
helpfulness of loyal alumni and to
the cooperation of the men and wo-
men of the State. The accomplish
ments of university are indepen-
dent of the man at the head.
Ten years ago we had a faculty OF
"a distributed as follows: SO profess
sors, associate professor - assistant
professors, 23 instructors and assist
ants. Today we have a faculty of 1T
made up of SO professors Is associate
professors. Is assistant professors. AZ
instructors and assistants. Ten
years ago there We're ST. regular four
years students. This year that num-
Der has increased to 1906. Ten years
ago the total enrolment of women
students was TO- We now have a total
enrolment of 1856 women. At COM
mencement in 1910 a total of 1877 de-
grees were conferred and on Monday
the number will be 205
I'm 1910 the lands and buildings of
the university were valued at. ap-
proximately 100000. This valua-
ton has increased by additions I'M
til today it is approximately S132,-
0O0 The increases include Aubert
hall, Balentine hall, new dairy
barns, carpenters shop, addition to
Alumni hall, an addition to the
heating plant, and Stewart hall in
Bangor. During this same period
the inventoried value of equipment
Of all sort had increased from $685.
900 to S356.000 In 191O-11 the to-
tai amount of money received from
the State Of Maine was S1O1 500. The
last Legislature voted an annual ap-
preparation for the teaching part of
the university of $225OO0.
1.-THE material growth of the uni
versity, however, has not kept pace
with the demands upon it. During
the entire decade the needs of the
institution have been far beyond her
means. Many opportunities for ex-
pansion and numerous demands for
service have been refused because Of
lack of means. A serious and earn
est attempt has been made to serve
existing academic needs.
During the decade the Agricul-
tural and Home Economic Extension
work of the university has had an
amazing growth. This branch of
university activity now reaches every
corner of the State. The service
rendered to the citizens of the State
is highly appreciated. The cost of
this service is met by Federal and
State appropriations.
1.-THE agricultural experiment sta
ton has. been considerably expand
ed in this decade. The work carried
on at the Aroostook and Highmoor
experimental farms and in the lab
oratories on the campus is not only
highly appreciated by the people of
the State but is recognized by scien-