Evening star., 1949-11-29
Darden Views
Education as
Hope Of West
University Program
Stressed in Talk
In Arlington

Stressed in Talk
In Arlington
Colgate w. Darden, jr.. presi-
dent of the University Of Virginia,
declared last night that the hope
of Western civilization rests on
education.
Speaking in Arlington in the in
terest of adult extension courses,
Mr.. Darden-a former Governor
of Virginia-asserted that COM
munism can be defeated only
through confidence built up by
training and developing minds of
the people.
Communism will not be beaten
by great armies or great navies," "
Mr.. Darden said. Armies and
navies are quite necessary. I
would not, for a moment, suggest
disarming this Nation. Enormous
though our expenditures are for
military strength. the expendi-
lures, I think. are entirely justi-
fed.
Training Stressed.
But communism will only be
beaten in the minds and hearts
Of this land-and other lands
who can be given equipment
through training and develop
ment. -
1.-The future in the West, at
least, is going to belong to those
who have the foresight to touch
the intellectual confidence of the
people"
AS its contribution toward the
goal, Mr.. Darden said in his talk
at Washington and Lee High
School. the University of Virginia
is trying to make its services
available to more citizens. In ad-
dition to the instruction provided
at Charlottesville, he said. the uni
versity is expanding its program
of adult education in the hope
that it will bring to full realiza-
ton the dream of its founder,
Thomas Jefferson"
Courses Planned.
President Darden's remarks pro-
vided the keynote for a meeting
in which 80 prominent residents
of Northern Virginia made plans
for the first courses to be offered
by the University of Virginia Ex-
tension Division.
Details Of the program soon to
be started were explained by
George B. Zehmer, extension di-
rector: j. N. G. Finley, his assist
ant; Franklin Bacon, jr., who is in
charge Of extension teaching, and
c. A, Steele Of Arlington. chair
man of a temporary citizens COM
mittee making arrangements.
The extension divisions North
ern Virginia center, under super
vision Of Mr.. Finley. will have
headquarters at Washington-Lee.
Under present plans. confer
snces on community needs in the
field Of adult education viii be
held early in December and in
struction In some courses probably
will begin in February.
Emphasis on Engineering.
Emphasis at the outset Is be-
ing placed on engineering courses
leading to undergraduate and
graduate degrees, and wide
variety Of non-credit and college
credit courses. The area to be
served is roughly that within IS
miles, Of Washington, south of the
Potomac River.
The speakers said 1t is proposed
to offer both formal and Sin
formal" instruction. The former
is patterned along lines Of cam
pus classes and leads to credits.
Among the courses available if the
need is demonstrated are English.
history. mathematics, political
science. economic, sociology, psy-
cho1ogy, accounting, statistics and
foreign languages. Request al
ready has been made for a course
in State and local finance. Mr..
Zehmer disclosed.
Many Of the prospective stu
dents are public school teachers.
but interest also has been shown
by persons IN other lines of work,
the officials reported. Glasses will
be taught by authorities drawn
from the Northern Virginia area,
from Washington, the university
faculty and the faculty of Mary
Washington College. Fredericks-
burg.
Similar extension division CEN
ters are being operated success
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