New Britain herald., 1922-09-21
PROF. 0L|N SPEAKS
 WESLEYAN OPENING
Urges College Education at Stu- dents Citizenship Training Camp

Middletown, Sept 21-Acting Presi, dent stephen Henry Olin, LL.D., Wes- leyan '66, son of former President stephen Olin, who administered the affairs of the NIiddletown college from 1889 until 1851, except for one year, today delivered the matriculation service address in Memorial chapel, in which he pleaded for return to more unified curriculum for college training, and stated that college education should be a students train | ing camp for citizenship.
 Quotes Own Father
 Dr. Olin, using a quotation of his | fathers, Educated men are the natu- ral sources and guides of popular | opinion,' traced the development of l the elective system of studies in col | leges and showed how "individualism ran riot until the members of the same college class were no more fitted to act together than were the builders Of Babel after the confusion of ton tongues. He also stated that whatever l his intended occupation, every student is a citizen with obligations to the l community. The discharge of these obligations is his duty and should be his unchangeable purpose. His fitness to discharge them is of vital interest to the state . .. Every college course, therefore, might well include reparaton for these civic duties"
 "Expcrt Citizens
 Dr, Olin then developed the thought that there could be Tho such thing as an expert citizen whose education is planned like that of a mining en- gineer or a teacher of. Greek"
 "Our American democracy" the president said. lis a system whereby amateurs govern through experts. Every educated man should be both expert and amateur - expert in the business by which he lives. and anna teur in the things by which the re- public lives. The university, with its professional schools, can provide the experts. Only the college can train the amateurs. since only in the col lege can be found together all the men who seek higher education. Ana teur training is less rigorous than pro- fessional training. It should be wide ranging but in some particulars it may be less thorough"
 A students civic training course would cause studies chosen for their value to become invaluable by their choice" Scholars would have again part of their lost unity The man in the street would be relieved to learn that every bachelor, whatever his degree. at least knew something or the arts. the philosophy and the science of citizenship
 Benefit To Undergraduates
 "The greatest benefit would be to the undergraduates At present he is at work on his list of electives. At his peril, he is choosing his electives weighing in turn the vocation to be pursued, his taste and inclination, and his civic duty. Would he not be glad if there were offered him a course approved by all colleges, pursued by all students in preparation for the common counsel and common action to which they are constrained ?"
 Dr. Olin then welcomed the incom- ing class, stating that Wesleyan had always been a school of character" that it had taught that industry and | integrity are necessary foundations of real success Over 500 undergrad | uates, the entire faculty in academic | costume, and many townspeople and l alumni attended Among the visitors was Rev. David G. Downey. LID. vice president of the board of trus- tees.