Beaver College - Beaver Log Yearbook (Glenside, PA)

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w L fl: wa .KISTLER

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id irdf ear On November 7, l94O, Dr. Baymon Kistler was inaugurated as the fifteenth president of Beaver College. The inauguration of a new president is probably the most important thing that can happen to any college. With this person, whoever he may be, rests the future of the college, its whole career for many years. On the day of the inauguration, there was no trepidation in the hearts of us here at Beaver, no doubts for the future of this college. We went to the inaugura- tion ceremony with gladness, full of confidence in this man who had accepted the task of guiding our Alma Mater. The ceremony itself was impressive and solemn. Cne of the most memorable parts of it was the academic procession which wound its long way from the Towers down to Murphy Chapel. Between two lines of honor, formed by the Senior class, there came an unending procession of visiting dignitaries, representa- tives from colleges and honorary societies, the faculty of our college, and some of the alumnae. This was a stirring prelude to the impressive service which followed. Dr. Kistler's brother, Dr. Harold C. Kistler, pronounced the invocation, the Seniors sang their class hymn for the first time, greetings from neighboring colleges were brought by Dr. Lily Boss Taylor, of Bryn Mawr College, the congratulations of the Christian Board of Education were extended by Dr. Paul Calvin Payne, Dr. William Lindsay Young delivered the inaugural address. Then Dr. Allan Sutherland, speaking for the Board of Trus- tees, addressed his charge to the president, investing Dr. Kistler CContinued on Page 167 PRESIDENT RAYMO 14

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with the rights, dignities, and authority usually ap- pertaining to such administrative otticef' The Charter ot Beaver College was then delivered into Dr. Kistler's custody with the Board ot Trustees' pledge ot their support and sympathy. Dr. Kistler's acceptance ot the charge delivered to him was simple, direct, and challenging. He pledged his best endeavor to the future of Beaver College, and with this message we recognized some small foreshadowing ot the good things he would bring to the college. Dr. Kistler came to Beaver with a background rich with experience. l-le has been a minister in the Presbyterian church for twenty-six years, having been ordained in l9l5. ln that time he has served in tour churches: the Eleventh United Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: the South Side Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh: the First Presby- terian Church ot Warren, Pennsylvania: and the Central Presbyterian Church, Rochester, New York, which pastorate he held when he accepted the presi- dency ot the college. A prominent part in the various departments ot Presbyterian work has been taken by Dr. Kistler. First, he served as moderator ot the Erie Presbytery. A tew years later he was moderator ot the Rochester Presbytery, and at the same time he was vice- moderator ot the Synod ot New York. He has served as president ot the New York State Council ot Churches, ot the Rochester Federation ot Churches, and ot the Rochester Ministerial Association. Dr. Kistler was a member ot the General CouncQl ot the Presbyterian Church tor six years, the maxi- mum time allowed tor service in that group. During the time he served on the administrative committee ot the Council and also headed several other com- mittees. Dr. Kistler's varied activities also include work in civic, state, and nation-wide affairs. This year he is listed in Who's Who in America. Dr. Kistler was graduated from Westminster Col- lege, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, in l9l2, re- ceiving a Bachelor ot Arts degree. Then he attended