Wabash College - Wabash Yearbook (Crawfordsville, IN)

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reaidenl' Burroughs od' CGXNQBQAF1. NNW 7 ,T WAS an important day in the history of Wabash College when new Dr. George S. Burroughs accepted the presidency of it. No 2 ,NX 4 ji!! . - . ff. one could have been present on the occasion of his arrival if and doubted its felt importance. The College and its friends had been many weeks in happy expectation. When the hour fl A came Trustees, Faculty, students and citizens were ready W with their warmest welcome. The whole body of the students meet him at the depot, cheered him loudly, and unhitching the horses, a select number of them hitched themselves to his carriage and, accompanied by the rest i11 procession, proceeded to his hotel. His reception was more than a display of characteristic Western enthusiasm. It was a splendid ex- pression of welcome, expectation and confidence. And there was intelligent ground for it. Although coming a stranger, he was not unknown to us. His election was the Trustees' most deliberate choice. Careful investigation of his career had been made, and the cordial endorsement of ex-President Seelye, President Harper and others, had already established him in the confidence of the authorities. All of us were pre- pared to believe that he was the right man, and that under his leadership the college would enter upon a new era of prosperity and progress. Dr. Burroughs' generous appreciation of cordiality and confidence, his easy ad- dress and eager social interest, at once strengthened this impression. His first contact with the young men demonstrated his ability to enter into their lives and grasp their affections. His quick perceptions and power of self- adjustment to new relations created, immediately, still stronger assurance. His regard for the work and achievement of his predecessor and co- laborers, established him in their esteem. The manner in which he probed every feature of the college organiza- tion and its resources showed his talent for organizing, and his business in- sight, to be extraordinary. His first appearance before the Board, having

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Himself a young 111811, and, both by natural endowment and thorough training, eminently fitted for the duties of his double office, we have not been surprised to hear, from time to time, of his sing-ular success, both as teacher and preacher, among the students whom he taught and guided. His preaching is what all preaching should be, evangelic and evangel- istic, sound in its doctrinal basis, and apostolic in its spirit a11d effect. The degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Divinity, conferred upon him by his alma mater, honored her and him alike, and happily indicated tl1e fact that his philosophy was biblical, and his theology philosophic. His active membership in societies founded in the interests of biblical study, and his various publications in the line of linguistic criticism, and practical suggestion as to tl1e English bible, confirm this combination of the divinities and humanities, as they also evince his right to speak with au- thority on those critical questions at present so prominent. In their choice of President Burroughs, the Trustees of tl1e College deserve high praise as having had an eye to the fitness of the man for the place, and the place for the man, thus assuring the future prosperity of tl1e institution whose interests they are guarding. President Burroughs comes to his new and most important oftice with large acquisitions at command, with a keen fllld thorough scholarship, with wide experience in the church and college, and with a personal and Christian enthusiasm full of vitalizing influence, and full of promise for the cause of liberal learni11g in the West. Princeton sends her son to Wabash as she did to Amherst, while Princea ton and Amherst join in cordial congratulations to the institution that they have thus so richly endowed, and also join with special fervor in the prayer that, from the very outset, the administration of President Burroughs may be in favor with God and man. THEODORE W. HUN'1', P1-1. D., Professor of English, Plzilologgv and Disrourse in the College of New jersey.

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J, been but a few weeks in office, with plans and methods and resources in hand, discovered to them a new wisdom in their choice and the rare good fortune of the college in securing the leadership of so able a man. He was evidently thoroughly familiar with educational needs and methods, broadly informed as to tl1e local situation, judicious, earnest, energetic, resourceful. His determination at the outset to move forward, marked him as a man of progress and modern method. Immediately his influence began to be felt in the life and conduct of the college. His hand was upon everything. No detail of administration escapes him. Already new courses of instruction have been added. Old ones have been strengthened and developed. The departments are stronger and combined into a more complete unity. The whole organization is more complex and perfect. ' Nor is this all. The new President's influence has been extended al- ready far beyond the college organization. He has visited all of the larger cities of the State, and not a few of the smaller ones, and been heard in their pulpits and in their conventions. These sermons and addresses have brought him in demand to an extent that is beyond his limits of time and strength. The successful college President of to-day must be largely a man of alfairs. It is no longer sufficient that he be dignified and scholarlyg he must know men and methods. He must have business ability and adminis- trative power. He must know tl1e value of details, and have patience and tact a11d energy in mastering them. All these qualities belong to President Burroughs in a marked degree. He is not only educated in all scholarly attainments, but of man, the heart of man and human life, is he a trained and accurate student. One of his splendid qualities is his ability to enlist the interest and sympathy of men and women who are able to supply tl1e financial needs of the college. Already he has gained new friends and supporters who are of great value. He is always approachable and companionable. In his govern- ment l1e appeals to the manhood and self!respect of the student rather than to his own authority. His own energy, and industry, and unselfish devotion to his work are a constant inspiration to all about him. Wabash gives to her new President an open heart, a fraternal 11and, and a loyal support.