Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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cept in the matter of dress, former efforts; to do the very best that could he done with improved means and enlarged facilities. This spirit of aggressivenes and progress permeated the entire membership; and all have been urging, pushing and striving to contribute their share toward crowning the work with success. The editors and managers certainly feel that in their labors they have enjoyed from their classmates the most extraordinary support and co-operation that ever lightened the load of burdened shoulders or gladdened the heart of weary toiler. If the Orange this year finds its way to the homes of its friends in a distinctly democratic dress, it does so simply because it wishes to be in keeping with the present trend of things: persistent calls, reinforced by determined efforts from every quarter, to return to erstwhile simplicity, being one of the unmistakable signs of the times. A careful perusal of the pages will show at once, however, that in choice of subjects, excellence of treatment, and variety of material, nothing has been sacrificed; the Annual bears every evidence of having been in good and competent hands, of being the fruit of determined, well directed and sustained efforts; the peer of the best in the land. If. as adverse, splenetic critics are occasionally heard to say, the average annual lacks the charm and grace of the so-called classical production; if its descriptions do not show the finish of a Ruskin, or its narrations the swing and charm of a Stevenson; if the style of its appeals to the intellect would probably l c repudiated by a Macaulay, and its attempts at rousing and swaying the reader’s emotions would not be recognized by a Webster, these critics will be informed that such is not the Annual's object, and that they have mistaken its purpose. The office of the Annual is, primarily, to chronicle, in a style of its own and in more or less humorous vein, College events: to criticise by holding up to gentle ridicule, if necessary, false notions and foolish sentiments: to cudgel follies and abuses; to send Addisonian shafts of satire at absurd, incongruous situations, and to place the stamp of approval on, and thus give encouragement to. all honorable conduct and every worthy action. This we maintain is the true nature of an Annual: it is so understood by the present Junior class, and such is the character of the material found within the covers of this present volume. With those who find pleasure and entertainment in the l)ook. the Juniors want to join in their merriment; with those who fancy they have a right to feel displeased or hurt, they wish to condole. Their quiver, though empty now, contained no poisoned shafts; if any such should be reported as having struck, the Juniors wish to assure the fancied victims they arc the work of the enemy. Rebel Misinterpretation, the mischief maker. The Juniors have collected the facts as they found them, and chronicled the truth as they saw and understood it: they are. therefore, at peace with their consciences and sincerely wish to all the readers of the T3 Orange the same good and glorious fortune. [11]

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PRESIDENT WILLIAM JASPER KERR VERY venture undertaken by man must have at its helm a hand, upon the ability of which depends the ultimate success or failure of the en- terprise. The hand must be steady, reliable, cool in time of great stress, bold when assailed by danger, quick to grasp when opportunity offers advantage. Five years ago the Board of Regents cast about for a man upon whom to confer the task of guiding to its destiny a vast enterprise, at that time in mere infancy, but on the threshold of a new era. They sought a man of ability proven by deeds, a man whose dealings would command the admiration of his fellow-men. and the love and respect of the students. Records were searched, and careful investigations made. They chose Dr. William Jasper Kerr. A man of broad experience, extending through a period of twenty-two years of educational work. President Kerr was especially fitted to undertake the work at the Oregon Agricultural College. He came to O. A. C. in the prime of life, at forty-three years of age. having to his credit a training and experience that eminently fitted him for the duties of the position to which he was called. 1 le is an enthusiastic believer in the modern idea of education for which the land-grant institutions stand—that education should be adapted to life-need, and its advantages extended alike to all the people. The inspiration for this work was received while attending Cornell University, the land-grant institution of New York. After leaving Cornell, in a remarkable career, he rose rapidly from the position of instructor in mathematics, to the presidency of Brigham Young College, and later, of the University of Utah. After seven years of service in the latter institution he was made chief executive at O. A. C. Five years ago the Oregon Agricultural College was a struggling, i oorly equipped college. Under the direction of President Kerr, a policy of expansion was formulated, and the institution took a new lease on life. From a campus with nine buildings—the Administration, old Horticulture, and Gymnasium buildings, Alpha, Science, and Cauthorn Halls, the packing house, shops and barns, it has grown to lie one of the finest in the West. The Mechanic Arts, Dairy and Farm Mechanics buildings: Agricultural Hall, with the two wings, the Horticulture and Agronomy buildings: Waldo and Shepard Halls; the Armory, Stock-judging pavilion, and the new shops, are all the result of patient and persistent work on his part. The new structures are of most modern types, and are furnished with the latest and best equipment. With the new buildings has come a great advance in the courses. Not only were the established departments enlarged, but the scope of the curriculum has been widened until O. A. C offers nearly all of the advantages which can be f 13 j