Evening star., 1923-11-11
George Washington University

The impression which hearers got
and good readers get from the in
augural speech Of the new president
of George Washington University is
that it was an address Of unusual
merit. 1t contained no platitudes. and
was conspicuous for clear expression
of definite fnd practicable ideas.
President Lewis believes that the uni
versity should become, and may be
reasonably expected to become, a
great nationn university. He said
that "The ideal which we seek is a
university witt national character and
influence, takiag full advantage of the
great resources of the Federal city for
inspiration and research, a university
sending into every corner Of the land
an ever-increasing company of men
and women with physical stamina, in
tellectual strength and spiritual power,
a university true to the name Of
George Washington and pledged to
the upbuilding ff our America"
The phrase national university" is
often used. Pekhaps to most persons
a national university would be one
sponsored and :naintained by the ma
tional government. There is not at
this time any strong demand for such
an institution. There is no reason
that it could be- more national in the
desirable sense :han George Washing.
ton mig1 be. it may not be easy to
define " tationa: university" but it
should b, one that draws students
from all parts lof the country and
whose in iuencd extends throughout
the land. And b. influence" is meant
more than fame or reputation. 1t is
easy for ar institution, educational or
otherwise, to attain notoriety and repu-
tation which in the public mind con-
stitute fame. That is largely a matter
Of advertising. Put to extend its in
huence throughout the country is an
other matter. The graduate of such a
university should: return home with a
trained mind ana that degree of cul.
ture and enlighte nment which people
look for in the I1an from famous
university. The graduate should re-
turn to his home with that quality.
difficult Of definition. which we call
"character," and which should be an
influence for goo6 in the home com.
munity. The graduate should not go
out merely well schooled man, but
an educated man in the best and broad
est understanding II that abused word.
He should be man Of wisdom, JUS
tice, tolerance, patriotism and learn
ing. -
Many Of the untyersities which we
call great" have been helped to great
ness or bigness by rich endowments,
so that they spend lar more money on
a student than the ;tudent pays to the
university. George washington is not
rich. and probably will not be, but it
has assets that are PRICELESS. 1t is rich
in fine traditions and in character. AS
Columbian College and Columbian Uni.
versity. and then as; George Washing
ton University. it Eas paid its own
way for more than a hundred years
with funds from very few endowing
benefactors, from students for value
received and through; aid at odd times
from alumni and aluEnnae. 1t has had
lean times and has; struggled with
poverty. AS these misfortunes. or dis.
guised blessings, ofters help in develop
ing worthy qualities in men, it may be
they are helpful in making the char.
acter Of a college or university.
This institution, constituting so i'm.
portant a factor in the educational
equipment of the Capital, and thereby
Of the nation, should .be aided in its
development by the bestowal upon 1t
Of foundation endownaents in larger
amounts than those given in the past
by its local friends and supporters. It
has won its way through financial
difficulties and has Carried large stu
dent body. It must expand in Its equip
ment to fulfill its part. Of the obliga-
ton it has assumed =toward those
whom it takes into its care for educa.
tion. Its record Of progress and use
fulness against the haadicap of pov.
erty entities 1t to recognition and aid
from American citizens who are con-
cerned in the matter Of eultivating the
intelligence Of the youth of the coun.
try.