Evening star., 1926-05-30
POOR SCHOLARSHIP
LAID TO TEACHERS
Parents and Public Also
Blamed by College Heads
in Canvass.

Too little encouragement from their
parents and too little classroom in
spiration from their teachers, rather
than the Indifference of the younger
generation itself, is regarded by Il
majority Of 80 university and college
presidents, canvaSsed on the subject,
as the cause of the failure of scholar.
ship in this country to keep pace with
educational opportunities.
This consensus of the university
heads was given in reply TO a ques-
tionnaire addressed to them recently by
Phi Beta Kappa. the nationary honor
airy scholastic society, in connection
with the fund it is now raising. in OBJ
servance of the sesquicentennial ami
versary Of it's founding in 1876, to ad-
vance the cause of scholarship in the
United States.
The scholarship plan provides for
the annual award of a prize of 900
for distinction in teaching or attain.
ment in scholarship, and for the
award of a great number of grants to
individuals, college teachers, students
or chapters of Phi Beta Kappa in aid
of scholarship or constructive expert
ment.
Washington Quota Sought.
The campaign to raise Washington s
quota of the national schola arship
fund. to which John ID. Rockefeller,
jr., vice chairman of the national COM
mittee, has contributed $780, 900, is in
charge of a local committee headed by
Rear Admiral Cary #. GraySon. AS
sisting in the local campaign are
Robert S. Brookings. Daniel c. Roper,
Theodore knappen, G. r. Wales, Dean
w. c. Ruediger and others.
Despite the lamentations Of college
heads over the dissipating effects of
foot ball and extra curricular social
activities upon serious study, the fra
ternity'S canvass of opinion shows
that they do not load the blame for
decline of scholarship upon the shoul-
derS of the younger generation. but
rather upon their parents and teach
erS.
That desire for learning is native
to few and must be fostered in the
mass Of youth by the attitudes of their
preceptors Is stressed by DR.. George
s. Davis, president of Hunter College,
New York City.
DR.. David NJ. Edwards, president of
Earlham College, Richmond, Ind,
holds a similar view.
Takes Public to Task.
The general public and parents in
particular are taken to task also by
DR.. Frank l.. McVey of the University
of Kentucky. who incidentally takes a
rap at the teachers.
AS remedies DR.. McNey suggests
more inspiring teaching, q different
attitude on the part Of teachers toward
the incoming student, increasing re-
! quirements and a more rigid adher.
ence to such requirements"
DIR. Edward c. Elliott, president of
Purdue University, believes that the
American people are not sufficiently
concerned about institutions Of higher
learning performing the functions for
which they were intended.
DIR. James II. Tufts, vice president
and dean OF faculties of the Uni
versity of Chicago. also feels that the
public is fundamentally to blame:
THE greatest influence for bring
ing about greater interest in studies
and scholarship, so far as the average
student is concerned, is undoubtedly
the general public opinion as to the
importance of knowledge and OF
scholarship. The few minds who have
genius or persistent love for study
will study for their own satisfaction
irrespective of~whether it offers pow.
erty or support. fame or contempt.
But the great mass need some en-.
couragement from their parents and
from the public at large"
Doubts Desire for knowledge.
DIR. Donald J. Cowling, president
of Carleton College, voices doubt as
to the thirst of the average young
! American for knowledge.
DIR. George B. Cutten, president OF
| Colgate University. would "inculcate
| into the spirit of the times some re-
spect for scholarship as su6e and lay
more emphasis on scholarship in our
educational institutions"
DIR. Mark E. Penney, president OF
| Milliken University at Decatur, ILL.,.
also decries the spirit of the times,
| which he frankly brands as CONNER
| cial.
President Ernest NJ. Hopkins OF
Dartmouth does not place the onus OF
responsibility for the situation or
| either parents or the general public
! alone, but divides the blame among
| them. the professors and college
methods.
! TOO much attention is given tC
! extra -curricuia activities, but correc
[ ton of the situation does not require
| the elimination of these activities. But
with. the increase of interest in scho
lastic things through increasing theii
attractiveness. the aldents' interest