Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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Brigadier General Lloyd J. Davidson Dean of the Faculty ©ebication

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age 218

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During the past few jcurs, tlie Virginia fiiilan ' Institute has witnessed a series (if changes and nifidifi- cations which have advanced Ihc aca(h ' Miic life and Ihc intellectual atmosphere of the Institute. Certainly, change is inevitable; however, a steady progression of improve- ments is indicative of interest, ability, and determination. Since assuming his position as Dean of the Faculty in 1950, Brigadier General Lloyd J. Davidson has ]jlayed a leading role in sponsoring and supervising these changes which have left no department, curriculum, or academic field untouched. In this joint endeavor with the faculty and the Academic Board, which body he heads. General Davidson has striven with patience, foresight, and a keen awareness of the problems and promise of our system to bring to fuller fruition the intellectual life of the facultj ' and the Cadet Corps it serves. The progress of recent years is nowhere more evident than in the enlargement in degree and course offerings which have improved the symmetry and balance of the academic program. The addition of degree curricula in Physics (19o ' -2) and Mathematics (1956) have diversified studies in scientific fields, strengthened course offerings in service work supporting all curricula, and enlarged and improved the faculty representation in quarters which provide a ba iic underpinning for all enginw;ring ari ' J science studies. IJcyond these fundamental a ' Jjastmerib), constant rt.-aijjjrai.sal of acadernir: necLs, in the light of changing times and the Institute ' s capabilities to rneftt these needs, has led to further changes of sigriifirjanee: the increase in elective offerings in many curricula; the introduction of the first Honors Programs ' Kngli.ih; and coiisiilcralii ii (i( otlicrs; the review and evaluation of all degree curricula programs during the pa-st two years by committees of cfnisuitaiil coiii[josed of eminent .scholars and deans of other schools; and the current evaluation of additional curricula propo.sals — in Mwlem Languages and in Economies. By these means, the Dean and the Academic Board, through critical self-appraisal and positive action, have effected significant advances in the academic program. Aware that in the intellectual quality of the faculty rests the basis for improving the intellectual life of the Cadet Corps, the Administration has workefl unceasingly toward improving the professional calibre of its academic staff. Increases in salary scales have aided faculty re- cruitment; and fellowships, supported by the VMI Foundation together with matching state funds, have assisted the completion of graduate programs of the faculty Hack l{o,r: Colonel S. M, Heain, Colonel G. B. . x, Colonel .T. S. Jamison, Jr Colonel H. V Pillard. Lt. Colonel .J. b. ?mith. Colonel A. L. Lancaster, Colonel A. H. Morrison, Lt. Colonel C. E. Robbs Major B. D. Tate Bngadier GenenU L. J. P jpos- n; Front Row: Colonel R. P. Carroll, Colonel .T. D. P. Fuller, Colonel H. E. Ritchej , Mr. H. Patchm, Major General G. R. E. ?heU, Colonel F. R. Barksdale.