Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-25
DR.. Anderson Pledges
AU 10 Alert Faith
In u. 5. Way Of Life

Pledged to keep the faith in
the American way Of life lever
present in the life of this uni
versity," DR.. Hurst Robins An
derson was formally in Office
today as president of American
University. a~s
His Inauguration took place
yesterday in impressive cere-'
monies witnessed by an eSti-,
mated 1900 persons in the
Washington Cathedral.
Representatives of 282 colleges
and universities and other edu-
cational, religious, government
and community leaders were
among those present.
John L. Laskey, vice chairman
of the Board Of Trustees, pre-
sided at the installation in place
of Robert v. Fletcher, chairman,
who could not attend because of
illness.
$40 Million Fund Proposed.
In his inaugural address, DR..
Anderson proposed a 10-year,
$40 million development program
for the university, half to be used
for new buildings, and the other
half as endowment.
The new president went on to
pledge his devotion to the uni
versity and it's ideals.
II have found" he said. "a
faculty committed to a program
of progress, a board determined
to move forward, alumni with a
spirit of earnest enthusiasm, a
student body intensely interested
in the future, a church awakened
to new responsibilities, COM
munity aware of the need for
this university.
The conditions for success"
he added. ARE here"
The university, DR.. Anderson
said. should continue to have
what he called "the conventional
university structure" - graduate
and undergraduate divisions, plus
special and professional schools
with special offerings for Gov
eminent employees.
Some Departures Forecast.
But he emphasized:
This does not mean that its
program Should be identical with
that of other institutions. In
fact, it would be a matter of wis
dom to emphasize within the
conventional structure those spe-
Cial programs and emphases
possible and appropriate to a
university sponsored by ProteS-
tants and fortunately located in
the Nations Capital.
The conventional structure"
he added, provides the, efficient
and workable framework within
which a unique program may
evolve"
The new president said it is
his hope that the univerSity'S
entire program will be under
girded by a conscious commit
ment to the highest aspiration
of cur western tradition"
Thoughtful students of edu-
cation are greatly concerned
about our failure to produce
students with conviction and
commitment" he declared.
During this age of devotion to
scientific inquiry. we have be-
come intoxicated with the phil
osophy of objectivity.
Issue for Education.
The conception that one can
take a completely detached view
of life is in itself a commitment
based upon a thoroughly fall
lacious assumption concerning
the nature of social behavior.
It would be a sorry spectacle to
see a nation of detached citi-
zens education must face
this issue. 1t must help its stu
dents in this too often neglected
area of human growth and de-
velopment."
In his dedication address.
Bishop G. Bromley Oman of
the Methodist Church declared
that "the free university is es-
sential to the free society, just
as the free society is requisite
to the free university"
He said that freedom is nee
esSary to maintain our heritage
and pass it to our children
richer than we received it,"
1T is to halls such as those
of American University, labora-
tories such as you find here that