Evening star., 1935-05-19

~ EVERED as friend and teacher
by thousands in Washington,
N who are numbered among his
L former pupils, DR.. William
Allen Wilbur, provost and for
mer dean at George Washington Uni
versity, will become professor emeri-
tus next month upon the compile
ton of 40 years Of active and out
standing service on the university
faculty.
The retirement of Dean Wilbur
as he is still known affectionately to
all George Washington students and
lifelong friends-will be made the
occasion Of a special testimonial fea-
turing the annual commencement day
exercises on June S. The official trib-
ute to the distinguished 71-year-old
educator will be delivered by DIR. Cloyd
H. Marvin, president Of the university,
and Dean Wilbur will make reply.
The commencement exercises will be
held at pm. in Constitution Hall
and will be attended by approximately
TOO graduates, who will be awarded de-
grees and certificates.
Looking back over the 40 commence
ment programs which Dean Wilbur
has attended, it is probable that none
has had the genuine interest for
George Washington students and
alumni as the forthcoming exercises
at which the venerable provost Is to
be the central and honored figure.
Men and women prominent in many
walks of life will join in the tribute
to him. For Dean Wilbur Is that
rare combination of teacher, counselor
and friend who has left his personal
imprint on the character Of the uni
versity and has reached long years
after graduation into the lives Of
many of his former students.
Leader In Church Work.
Aside from his wholesome influence
in educational circles, Dean Wilbur
has been for many years one Of the
leaders in Baptist church affairs OF
since he took up his resi-
dence here in 1895. A former mod
orator of the Columbia Association OF
Baptist Churches, he has been for
many years Bible school teacher and
leading layman of Cavalry Baptist
Church. One Of his recent literary
contributions was a history Of that
church and its congregations.
-Four years ago George Washington
University conferred upon Dean VIII
bur an honorary degree Of doctor of
laws. At that time he had given up
the deanship Of the college, having
been made provost of the university
in 1928.
He first came to George Washing
ton in 1895, when it was known as
Columbian College, to become head
of the university's preparatory school.
For number of years after his grad
uation from Brown University in 1888,
Dean Wilbur had been teaching in
various New England academies, not
ably the Vermont Academy, the Colby
Academy at New London, N. H., and
the Howard Seminary, West Bridge
water, Mass.
Two years later he was transferred
from the preparatory school to the
college. Since 1897 he has held the
chair of English literature at George
Washington and for "a years, from
1904 to 1928, he served as dean of Co
lumbar College, the college of letters
and sciences.
Had Profound influence.
Although an admirable executive,
who years ago visioned the future
rapid growth and expansion Of the
downtown university, it was probably
In the classroom that Dean Wilbur's
natural aptitude as q scholar and
teacher was best known and had its
best influence on the student body.
Dean Wilbur's classes in English
rhetoric, in Shakespeare and in
Browning have been attended by num-
bers of Washington residents, in addi-
ton to university students, who have
found there inspiration and intel
lectual stimulus. He Is widely known
also as lecturer on English itera-
ture. Brown University made him q
doctor of literature In 1916.
It Is doubtful il any teacher in
Washington has as many active in
structors in the Washington public
schools as has Dean Wilbur. A ma
jority Of the principals Of the WASH
ington high schools, 1t 10 said, are
among his former pupils.
Dean Wilbur has written frequently