Ohio University - Athena Yearbook (Athens, OH)

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■V. • «,

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or now Knowledge spans the reaches of time and space and a world pan- orama unfolds before the student of today. To comprehend its meanings, to shape its destiny is the task of teachers, of admin- istrators, of every maturing man and woman.

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ol u muerii •i J nnauiavi ales h With color and dignity anothei president was installed in the oldest university in the Northwest Territory. On a gray November day, a slight, graying man assumed the honors and responsibili- ties of the presidency of OU, at a time when the responsibilities far outweigh the honors. In distinguished company of the presidents of other Ohio state colleges and universities. Governor Bricker and other officials, Dr. Welter Sylvester Gomertsfelder became thirteenth president of OU, He became one of the succession of administrators to carry on traditions begun in 1808 ond perpetu- ated by such men as the famous William Holmes McGuffy. Dr. Gomertsfelder is a quiet man, possessed of a keen, scholarly mind. He is a careful person, making deci- sions judiciously. Having been head of OU ' s Philosophy Department, he retains both his interest in philosophy and in the problems of the teaching staff. He is, in fact, in- terested in all problems pertaining to col- lege life and hos seriously devoted his life to them. After the oath of office was ad ministered by the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Gomertsfelder delivered his thought provoking address on Education for Citizenship , in which he outlined the crisis facing educators and students in the chaos of today. There was no flag waving, no battle cry in his speech, by the sanity and seriousness which characterize the philos- ophy of his life OS man and as on admin- istrator. 12