Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

Page 17 text:

Edw ard West Nickols •5?. Al,F a century ago there came into barracks a sixteen-year-olil boy who was destined to produce greater changes in the Virginia Military Institute than any other man of his time. Little (h ' d this boy dream that his life was to be so inseparably united with that of his school, and that most of his life ' s energy was to be poured out in her service. Even the daring optimism of youth would have hesitated to picture what is now accomplished fact; tor, after fifty years of meritorious service and unswerving devotion to duty, this boy is retiring as our beloved Superintendent, Major-General Edward West Nichols. Service and devotion to duty have been watchwords of his career. He has served his school and his state as he would have wished others to serve him ; this is playing the game square according to the (lolden Rule, and this precept he has preached to generation after generation of cadets. For many years General Nichols has been the chief representative and spokesman for the Institute. By his ability to meet men and mingle in gatherings of whatsoever character, by the apt word and the ready pleasantry he has always at his command, by his urbanity, poise, sagacity, and scholarship, he has reflected honor upon us and won for himself an exalted place among the educators of the nation. Having attained a seat of distinction in the councils of the wise, he has held his position and enhanced his reputation, and ours, by his ability as a public speaker. Among the nation ' s leaders, civil and military, or as the guest of honor in many a distinguished gathering, he has never failed to acquit himself happily and increase the prestige of the Institute. Those who have heard him speak know well his sense of humor; we who have labored under him know it still better, aiid know that his Attic salt has not lost its savor. We also know how close to his humor lies his sternness, a quality which all executives must often use. We know how the one quality gleams through the other, and that neither is long absent from his speech. Almost as well as we know him, he knows us. Nay, he knows us better, for, having been a young man himself, and having known thousands of young men, he knows us better than we, who have never been old or had such wide and varied experience, can possibly know him. And not only does he know us while we are here under his im- mediate care, but after we have gone out into the world he knows us and loves us, and follows our careers like a second father. It is these qualities of service, devotion, fairness, ability, and solicitude which endear him to us. His memorial is already erected in the stalwart sons of V. M. I. who have passed through his moulding hands ; the record of his virtues is inscribed on their hearts and flowers in their lives. There is no more enduring record than the memorv and inspiration of a noble man, cherished in the hearts of his admirers, and handed down with undimmed lustre to posterity. When wasteful wars shall statues overturn, And broils root out the work of masonry, Nor Mars his sword nor wars (juick fire shall burn The li ' ing record of ' our memory. ' Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room Even in the eyes of all posterity That wear this world out to the ending doom. So, till the judgment that yourself arise. You live in this, and dwell in lovers ' eves.

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I, Major-General Edward West Nichols Si pcrin i n Icnt Born at Petersburg, Va., June 27, 1858. Received his preparatory education at Hume and Cooke ' s School, ' 66- ' 69, and at McCabe ' s School, ' 6g- ' jo. Graduated from V. M. I. in the Class of ' 78 as the fourth distinguished graduate of his class and as a cadet lieutenant. From ' 78- ' 8i, he was an assistant professor of mathematics at the Institute, during which time he pursued a parallel course in law at Washington and Lee rnivcrsity, completing his studies by summer courses at the University of ' irginia. He was admitted to the bar and practiced law at Norfolk, Va., ' 8i- ' 82, but abandoned a legal career to take up the chair of Professor of Engineering at V. M. I., ' 82- ' qo, and of Mathematics, ' go- ' o?. He is the author of Nichols ' Analytical Geom- etry, and Nichols ' Differential and Integral Calculus. Since 1903, he has, at one time or another, been connected with both the New York Central and Hudson River Railroads in the solution of intricate railroad engineering problems, and has been associated with the International Railway Congress in scientific investigation. He is a member of the ' irginia Geological Society, and the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education. He has been president of the National Association of Military Colleges, and he is a member of the Committee of College Presidents, and of the State Geological Commission. During the World War he was chairman of the Virginia Council of Defense, and at the expiration of the war he was awarded a certificate by the Government in recognition of his valuable services during the period of the S. A. T. C. Since 1907, he has been Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, this year marking the fiftieth year of his actual connection with the Institute. During this time he has ever stood for the hopes and dreams of Greater ' . M. I., and to him is largely due the vast amount of material progress that the Institute has enjoyed in recent years and, in fact, continues to enjoy.

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Greater V. M. I. Time has uitjuyht a yraph ' ic picture For the sons of I ' . M. I. Of tradition and of honor Of a spirit to outvie ; Of the men u ' ho ivent before us From the infant Institute And iL ' ho took ideals ivith them — Alma Plater ' s attribute. Oh , Time that kncivs no bridle. Leave a memory of this age, From this portion of Life ' s album Tear the essence of a page; Grant us just a recollection Of the golden age of youth. Let us keep the hallowed mem ' ry Of our lessons learnt of truth! i Through the years that are to follow Comes a vision clear defined Of a rising tide of manhood ' Neath f irginia ' s sky enshrined. Ulay they prosper by our failures And our errors rectify, Jllake their ideals fit their usage — Make a greater I ' . 71 . . O. B. A., Jr., ' 25.