Bradley University - Anaga Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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1 I WILLIAM RAINEY HARPER Ex-President ofthe Faculty .LC

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EDICATIO To our beloved VVilliam Rainey Harper, Who through his unselfish and untiring efforts has assisted in making the Institute what it now is, we dedicate this, the sixth vol- ume of' the POLYSCOPE

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WILLIAM AINEY HARPER By Tmaonons C. Buimizss, Director of Bradley Polytechnic Institute EXT to the great University of which he was the head, Bradley Institute has reason to feel most keenly the loss of William Rainey Harper. Many members ofits faculty were bound to him by ties of intimate friendship, rendered strong by years of pleasant and helpful association. The Institution as a whole owes him a debt which can never be forgotten, never even fully realized. Bradley Institute stood next to the University of Chicago, I believe, in Dr. Harper's esteem and affection. It is a type of school which he wished to see established in many towns. He had a large share in shaping its early years. The conditions were such as naturally would call forth a strong and permanent interest even aside from his ofiicial connection as Trustee and President of the Faculty. In the Fall of 1896 Dr. Harper was called upon by Mrs. Bradley to assist her in maturing plans for a school which she had already well out- lined in her own mind. It was Mrs. Bradley's intention to found the school at her death. Dr. Harper urged her to start it during her life time. His suggestion was at once adopted and the Institute was equipped and opened for work almost within a year. In the multitude of questions which arose, far more numerous and perplexing in a school of a type widely different from other institutions, Dr. Harper's opinion was freely sought as that of an educational expert. He took pride in its buildings, its extensive equipment, its faculty, its students. In my last interview with him, less than two months before his death, tho he could scarcely speak above a whisper, he said, 'fwrite me everything about Bradley, you know I am always interested. Those of us who have been connected with the Institute since its foundation know full well the intensity of that interest and how unselfishly he gave of his time and ability to assist in making the Institute what it now is. From the beginning he was a frequent visitor. Seldom did Founder's Day or Convocation pass with- out his presence. Frequently was his voice heard by our faculty and student body. His words were always valuable and inspiring. President Harper was a man of limitless energy. The extent and variety of his activities were amazing. Nothing which pertained to education, nothing which tended to the betterment of mankind lay outside his concern. He possessed astonishing capacity for work. His conception of rest was to change the character of his work. Difficulties, problems, were a delight. Seldom has a man taken from his activities before his goth year achieved so much that is notable and enduring. At fourteen he graduated from Muskingum College, after three years in business, but at the same time