Duke University - Chanticleer Yearbook (Durham, NC)

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THE LAW SCHOOL ESTABLISHED . . . After his death, his two sons, Benjamin N. and James B. Duke, made frequent donations for the betterment of the school. The Duke family had again taken a personal interest in the school. That even as late as 1903 a professor could be publicly threatened for speaking his mind was proved by the famous Bassett affair. Professor John Spencer Bassctt, in an article published in the South Atlantic Quarterly, presented a scholarly discussion of the Negro problem in the South. Some of his views were con- trary to public opinion in North Carolina, and one of his statements, taken from the middle of a qualifying paragraph, was to the effect that Booker T. Washington was the second greatest man born in the South during the preceding century. Intense excitement was created by the article and vigorous denounce- ments were expressed through the editorial columns of the Raleigh News and Observer. The episode was a long drawn out affair, and many people were embittered by the controversy. Many thought that Professor Bas- sett should be asked to resign. Throughout the affair. Dr. Kilgo strongly defended Bassett ' s right to speak his mind, although his own position as President of the College was threatened. Fortunately, the outcome resulted in a declaration for academic freedom by the Trustees, and their decision did much toward securing further national recognition for Trinity College. William Preston Few, who for eight years had been Dean of the College, succeeded to the presidency in 1910 when Dr. Kilgo was made a Bishop of ADMISSION OF WOMEN STUDENTS AT TRINITY, 1897

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JOHN CARLISLE KILGO ABOLISHES INTER-COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL AT TRINITY But it was John Carlisle Kilgo, then serving as financial agent for Wofford College in South Caro- lina, who was selected. Upon his arrival in Durham, Kilgo immediately impressed the college community with his ability as a preacher and an educational leader. Faculty members, Trustees, and students were greatly pleased with the new President, and indeed, so was all North Carolina Methodism. No one doubted that he meant business when he abolished inter-collegiate football in 1895 because the game has grown to be such an evil that the best tastes of the public have rebelled against it. He knew that this move would be reflected in the size of the student body, but he felt that the fortunes of the College are the fortunes of faith in Christ and the right, rather than in its football record. This incident is significant because of the other changes and improve- ments which were brought about during his administration. For one thing, he was instrumental in establishing the Law School. And, always interested in maintaining high standards, he established Trinity Park School for the express purpose of training students for admission to Trinity College. He was, indeed, so successful in raising the educational standards of the College, that in 1895, when the Southern Association of Secondary Schools and Col- leges was formed, Trinity entered as the only member of college rank. The waning interest of the Duke family in the fortunes of the College was justly revived by the intense and successful industry of President Kilgo. In 1897, Washington Duke contributed one hundred thousand dollars to a permanent endowment conditioned on the admission of women. And then in 1899, and again in 1900, he supplemented his first gift with like amounts. UNPAID PROFESSORS TENDER THEIR RESIGNATIONS

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BASSETT AFFAIR IN THE COLUMNS OF THE RALEIGH NEWS AND OBSERVER the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Endowed with brilliant intellect and with a desire to search for the truth in all things, President Few took up where Doctor Kilgo had left off. In 191 1 he announced the completion of the movement, initiated by Dr. Kilgo, to increase the endowment to one million four hundred thousand dollars. Doctor Few was also successful in capturing and holding the interest of the Duke family in the school. He impressed James B. Duke with the need for a great university in North Carolina. His hope was that some day the educational interests of the South might center around such an institution. Mr. Duke became convinced that Trinity would be an ideal nucleus about which to build. It is now known that the idea had its birth long before, but not until December 11, 1924, did Mr. Duke complete his plans and sign the inden- ture creating The Duke Endowment. In addition to turning over to the Trustees securities valued at forty million dollars, this indenture empowered them to expend in addition a large sum for the purpose of acquiring land, erecting buildings, and equipping DUKE UNIVERSITY, which name was suggested by President Few as a tribute to James Buch- anan Duke ' s father, Washington Duke. For the purpose of increasing the principal of the trust estate, the Trustees were directed to withhold twenty percent of the annual in- come and add it to the principal of the trust until such additions should aggregate forty million dollars. Thirty-two percent was made available for all purposes of Duke University, and the remainder of the annual income was designated for other charitable purposes. KILGO DEFENDS . BASSETT BEFORE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES