Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-22
Ford Foundation Grants Aid
Nearby Private Colleges

There is also optimism now that
business and other foundations viii
Join the movement.
DR.. Richard Weigle, president Of
st. Johns College, Annapolis. Nd,
thought the Ford gift would help
1.-THE movement of large corpora
tons creating foundations that will
give support to schools"
Two recent instances were the
$40 million grants to six inter-
UNCONVENTIONAL theological semi
naries by the Sealantic Fund, o
foundation endowed by John D.
Rockefeller, jr., and q 100000
grant from the Du Pont Company to
colleges and universities.
A sampling Of how five small
colleges-three church-related and
two private-will distribute the
Ford grants salarywise reveals o
unanimity that suggests the ma
tional pattern. They will not be
across-the- board increases. These
schools, whose starting salaries are
approximately $500 with goals of
$1,000 for top men, are Western
Maryland. Gettysburg, Hood,
Washington and st. Johns Of
Annapolis.
1.-THE increases will bf on merit"
DR.. David 2. Gibson, president Of
Washington College. said. This
idea Is to use this grant judiciously
to reward those people who have
made outstanding contributions to
the school,"
Higher Poy Ceilings
DR.. Truxal Of Hood College plans
TO weight the increases higher for
the top people. We have to recog-
nize loyalty and services in this way.
-. We also hope to supplement the
Ford grant,"
DR.. Fortenbaugh Of Gettysburg
College also expects to use the
grants at particular points. Since
instructors in such departments a.
science and economics are hard to
get. they may receive additional
sums to induce them to enter or stay
In college teaching ranks.
Seniority and effectiveness Of
teaching will be considered. DR.. En-
sor Of Western Maryland College
said. 1--WE also hope to supplement-
the Ford grant with raises Of our
own"
The presidents also agreed the
grants would probably go into en-
dowment funds after the 10 years
are up. In every case the sums will
be a welcome addition to the
school endowment. The grants
were to Washington College, STA
900; Gettysburg College. 1868 900:
Hood College. S156.10O; Western
Maryland College. $1s1, 300, and st.
Johns of Annapolis, $134.100. They
were allotted on the basis Of sal
aries paid to teachers during 1856.
ST. Johns was the only college
among these to share in the $50
million bonus grant. given to
schools that pioneered in improving
the status and compensation OF
teachers.
According to DR.. Weigle. the coll
lege in 1949 had salary scale OF
$3.000-s5. 900. Since then three site
cessive raises have been made.
bringing the top to $500 this year.
The goal is $4,000 a year for full
professors.
Before the Ford gift it was PLAN
ned to hold the present level until
1957-58. An increase was to be
made that year, with the final step
set for 1959-60. DR. Weigle said the
grant will enable them to take the
second step in 1861 and the last
one in 1957-58. 1t was the definite
schedule planned that won the
bonus for st. Johns College.
Long -Ronge Planning d.
President William w. Edel Of
Dickinson College. Methodist
school, revealed the planning that
brought it a bonus grant. In the
past 10 years, he explained. Dick
inson increased salaries IS per cent.
extended tenure to associates. en-
dowed faculty chairs. and increased
insurance benefits. The additional
gift will permit further salary In
creases and a modest system OF
sabbatical leaves, he said.
All gifts are no unmixed blessings.
One worry Of college administrators
is fear the public and alumni Will
assume the grants have solved all
faculty salary problems. Nothing
could be farther from the truth.
I'VE expect interest from the Ford
grant of about $4,000 a year." DR..
Weigle said. 1T is very welcome
measure of aid, but 1t would b
unfortunate If the public should
think the grant has finished the
job" ..... .-.s. ~.
DR.. Gibson said Washington Col
lege should also receive, approxt-
mately $1,000 year. His worry
was that some people who think
unsupported schools are enough
might react adversely to private
school needs because of the grant.
DR.. Truxal believes the expert
ence at Hood College Of alumni and
others being willing to give for
"brick and mortar (buildings) but
not for endowments is general.
People desire to leave a memorial
everyone can see. Once money goes
into endowment funds 1t is lost TO-
view. Potential givers who mis-
takenly think the Ford grants have
solved this problem might be In
clined not to give the endowments.
he observed.
Whot the Grants Neon
But when all the drawbacks are
considered, there Is widespread
thankfulness among educators for
the Ford grants. They agree with
a message the executive committee,
Southern Baptist Convention. sent
to the foundation, These grants
will mean to educational institu-