Cooper Union College - Cable Yearbook (New York, NY)

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EW of us have had the opportunity to meet and talk with the Director of The Cooper Union, Doctor Edwin Sharp Burdell. How- ever, all of us know him in one way-by his work and his accom- plishments which do him more honor than volumes of words. One of the outstanding achievements of Dr. Burdell's administration has been the program of liberalizing the art and engineering courses. lVlost thinking people today agree that the broadening of these specialized cur- ricula will result in graduates of The Cooper Union being better able to cope with the problems of the demanding world because they are socially and culturally competent as well as scientifically and artistically trained. The task of combining the already intensive courses in engineering and art with the liberal education required for a successful career was indeed a difficult one, but Dr. Burdell was well qualified for it. His wide experience in this field as a student and as an instructor have left him mindful of the value of extra-curricular activities to the student. One interesting illustration of his intense interest in student activities was his inauguration of a' service of inestimable value to all student leaders. His so-called Press Conferences, begun soon after he became director, have proved a very effective way in which the faculty and students have been brought together to discuss informally student problems. These meetings are a sort of clearing house for ideas, old and new, which have often brought about, through clearer and 'better understanding, satisfactory solutions for many problems. One event which will be remembered long after our school Work is forgotten was Dr. Burdell's address to the entire school assembled in the Great Hall on that fateful day, December 8, l94l. Following on the heels of the President's call for a declaration of war against Japan, the meeting was truly one of the most impressive in many years. Dr. Burdell recounted in his simple yet direct manner, his own experiences in the first World War when he was yet a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology together with what little was known of the Pearl Harbor attack. His strict adherence to facts without recourse to rhetoric made a profound impression on the students. He left no doubt in any mind as to the difficulties of the task ahead. Everyone, confused and questioning before the assembly, left with a much more vivid idea of the type of character he must maintain in times such as these. With such a record behind him and with the attributes which he has already exhibited as Director, Dr. Edwin Sharp Burdell will continue to instill a spirit of confidence and hope in The Cooper Union which shall not be destroyed.

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The history of the Engineering Schools during the past twenty-live years is closely linked with the life of Dean George F. Bateman. Although he became the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering 'and the Dean of the Schools of Engineer- ing, he has still been able to maintain his personal touch with the students through his Advisory Service. Many students have availed themselves of his helpful counsel in the past, and this year the number has greatly increased. The Dean feels that many of his happiest moments have been those spent in congenial discussions with students. Dean Bateman has also been active in the interests of National Defense through the Association of Engineering College Administrators which forms the board of trustees of the Defense Training Institute. These few examples will illustrate the service the Dean has given to The Cooper Union. 4 This solid, down-to-earth leader of the Art School possesses the most impor- tant of all virtues in an art director, tolerance. Born into a wealth of art, theater and literary activity, Dean Clark was given the best of opportunities to further his in- terests. From Barnard Military Academy, he went to Pratt Institute, where for two successive years he won the Cornell Scholarship. Continuing at the New York School of Art he further proved himself by winning three consecutive annual scholarships. He became part of the Stieglitz atmosphere prevalent in the Village during the time but he remained the searching individual that he is today. Too practical a person to remain long in a Bohemian atmosphere, Dean Clark obtained a job doing sets for Joseph A. Physoic. Later as Art Director of the New York Times, he pioneered for better photography in black and white reproductions. This is the modest Guy Gayler Clark who has come to be Dean of The Cooper Union Art School. Assistant Dean of the Day Art School, Profesor of Architecture and Instructor in lettering: these are all jobs which Professor Shaw performs with finesse and respect inspiring facility. lt is well said that if Professor Shaw has not commented on something about you as an art student, then you may well consider yourself a failure. Withstand and counter attack his disconcerting observations and you will have won for yourself the favor of this hearty virile gentleman. A rigid but productive teacher as progressive Assistant Dean, he commands the awed respect of many a poor youth who does not realize that the way to this man's heart is not through his sense of humor. Prior to his appointment to The Cooper Union, Professor Shaw was Supervis- ing Park Designer of New York City and a member of the New York World's Fair's Board of Design, which makes a worthy and impressive background for Professor Shaw's present position.