University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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s s INAUGURATION THE ACADE; MPANILE BEFORE THE CEREMONIES COMMENCE INAUGURATION OF ROBERT GORDON SPROUL IN OCTOBER 22, 1930, Dr. Robert Gordon Sproul was ceremonially inaugu- rated as the eleventh President of the University of California. On this historical occasion, a huge crowd assembled to pay tribute to the man who, still in his youth, had merited the honor of becoming the executive head of one of the world ' s great universities. At 10 o ' clock the academic procession solemnly filed into the Greek Theatre. Leading the group were Governor C. C. Young, President Sproul, Navy and Army officials, and Regents. Following came the distinguished delegates from educational institutions throughout the world. Alumni representatives from all fifty-eight graduating classes ended the procession. The ceremony began with the invocation given by Reverend Stanley Armstrong Hunter of Berkeley. Regent Chester H. Rowell, in making the introductory address, presented President Sproul with the symbolic golden key . . . the key to authority . . . the key to knowledge . . . the key to our hearts. Greetings from the American universities were extended by Howard Lee McBain of Columbia. Max Thelan ' 04 and Ruth Waldo ' 31 welcomed the new President, and then the congratulations of the Academic Senate of the University were offered by Frederick T. Blanchard, of U. C. L. A., and Charles Derleth, Jr., of Berkeley. STUDENTS CARRYING THEIR BANNERS, REPRESENTATIVES OF FIFTY-EIGHT CLASSES, MARCHED IN THE LONG PROCESSION TO THE GREEK THEATRE

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INAUGURATION ROBERT GORDON SPROUL s A SYMBOL of achievement, we can point to the life of Robert Gordon Sproul. His commendable rise in -sixteen years would be astounding were it not that long ago he gave evidence of his superior abilities. Robert Sproul is essentially a Californian, most of his forty years having been spent in this state. Interested in civil engineering, he entered the University of California, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1913 he received his B. S. degree; in 1926 he gained his LL. D. degree at Occidental College, Los Angeles. After his graduation he served the city of Oakland as an efficiency engineer, but shortly returned to his University, this time as cashier in the Comptroller ' s Office. He was advanced as Comptroller and Secretary to the Regents in 1920, and became Vice-President in 1925. On July 1. 1930, upon the retirement of the venerable William Wallace Campbell, Robert Gordon Sproul quietly assumed the office of President of the University of California. He is the youngest man ever to hold this distinguished position, and the first president who has studied as an under- graduate at California. With Dr. Sproul ' s advent as President a new spirit was created on the campus. The tremendous ovation given him as he presided over his first A. S. U. C. meeting as- sured him of the students ' esteem and cooperation. It is inevitable that the University will prosper under the regime of President Sproul, for in him are united the qualities that make for sane, careful, but progressive leadership. He is wise and good, sympa- thetic and understanding, and young in spirit ... he is one of us. ROBERT GORDON SPROUL Inaugurated President of the University of California October u., 1930 REGENTS, FACULTY, ALUMNI, AND STUDENTS FILL THE GREEK THEATRE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT SPROUL [13]

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INAUGURATION JVL, GOVERNOR YOUNG, AND THE REGENTS ENTER THE GxEEK THEATRE CLOSE BEHIND THE MILITARY ESCORT WHICH HEADED THE PROCESSION ' HE climax of the ceremony was reached when President Sproul delivered his inaugural address. He first traced the history of the University, and presented the high ideals on which it was founded. A critical review of our modern education system was given, and in conclusion he stressed upon the magnificent task which faces the State and University, that of guiding and pointing the way for business of higher standards, for even-handed justice, for un- stinted service, for the life abundant. After the conferring of four honorary degrees by President Sproul, the memorable exercises were concluded with the benediction by Dr. Hunter. The inaugural program commenced on Tuesday, October 21, when Giannini Hall and the Ernest V. Cowcll Memorial Hospital were dedicated, with President Sproul presiding. Among the notable speakers on this occasion which indicated the physical and spiritual growth of the University, were Claude B. Hutchinson, Dr. Albert R. Mann, Dr. Robert L. Porter, and Dr. Aurelia H. Reinhardt. In the evening more than eight thousand people gathered in the Greek Theatre to witness the celebration of the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of Virgil. The fete was sponsored by the University, the Italy-America Society, Stanford University, the University of San Francisco, and Saint Mary ' s College. PRESIDENT SPROUL DELJVERS His INAUGURAL ADDRESS BEFORE THE TEN THOUSAND WHO GATHERED TO HONOR HIM [If]