The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-08-27
LEWIS PRAISES
COLLEGES
HERE
Head of George Washington
University Tells of
Opportunities
by WILLIAM MATHER LEWIS
President, George Washington
University

During q recent trip, to the
Pacific coast I met groups of
George Washington University
alumni in Los Angeles, San Fran
cisco, Salt Lake City and Denver.
Seated. around the luncheon
tables renewing the associations of
youth and discussing the progress
Of their alma mater were judges,
district attorneys, lawyers, physi.-
clans, clergymen, teachers, scien.
lists, and; business men; all useful
and effective members OF their va
rious communities.
Many would have been deprived
OF the advantages Of higher educa.
ton had it not been for the unique
opportunities for self-help opened
to ambitious youth in, the Govern
ment departments and other or
ganizations in. Washington. All
had the breadth of vision and the
national viewpoint which naturally
develops in one who here passes inn.
questionable years.
Understanding Needed
It is a long cry from the District
Of Columbia to the California. It
% not always easy for the West to-
understand the East or the North
to appreciate the problems of the
South. But such understanding
and appreciation is the only cement
people true to the essential ideal Of
20 more perfect Union"
Every student leaving Washing
ton to take up his life work in g.
remote corner of the land becomes
an element OF national solidarity.
The suggestion to make washing
ton the educational as well as the
political capital OF the United
States is not a mere catch phrase.
In it lies the possibfft yz Of high
educational and patriotic service.
And IL It is good for the Nation
TO have its youth in large numbers
educated here, It is likewise an adj
vantage to Washington. Our uni
versities, colleges, and. schools at
tract here a type which is a de-
sirabIe addition to the population.
The business and the social life of
q community and always benefited
by outstanding institutions Of learn
ing.
Obviously, unless the opportuni-
ties are stressed, a great many
students will not take advantage
OF them. Tourists in Washington
frequently see many interesting and
educational things which the per-
manent resident has overlooked he
cause Of his very proximity to them.
Il is the privilege of the university
keys to the storehouses of knowl-
edge, to teach them how to use the
libraries and museums and art
galleries. to bring before them as
lecturers our leaders Of public
thought. This is constantly beng
done in an increasing degree and
with gratifying results.
General Support
It should be matter of universal
interest to support our institutions
30 that their effectiveness may be
increased and their physical equip
ment improved and expanded to
meet evident and imperative needs.
The modern university. meeting
the constantly growing demands for
training arising out OF the develop
ment of our complicated civilization,
must have constantly improving
resources.
With the beginning of the
academic year, next month. there
will be gathered in the city more
students than ever before. They
are coming not alone for what the
institutions offer, but because OF
what Washington offers. Our educa-
tional establishments are not a
thing apart; they are essential ele.
ments in the development of our
city; they are an influence Tor good
which touches the entire life OF the
nation.