Goucher College - Donnybrook Fair Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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much of his time and interest. He was. moreover, a brilliant student and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1902. grad- uating the same year with high honors. In 1906, after completing his graduate ' study, Dr. Robertson married Anne Vic- toria Knobel, the lovely daughter of a Presbyterian minister. He continued his work at the University and became Assise tant Professor in English in 1914. In 1920 he was made Dean of the Colleges of Art, Literature and Sciences. The activie ties of Dr. Robertson during the years spent at the University are those of a man of broad interests and versatility. He was founder and at one time president of the Renaissance Society which encouraged line arts and brought exhibitions of paintings and prints to the campus. Dr. and Mrs. Robertson, both music devotees, were active in founding the Orchestral Associa- tion and through Dr. Robertsonls influence the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was brought to the University annually for fourteen years. In 1924 Dr. Robertson came to Washington as assistant director of the American Council on Education, a position which he held until coming to Goucher in 1930. It was during his six years of service in this capacity that be conceived and developed the HJunior Year Abroad plan. He was discouraged by other educators in his attempts to execute the idea but due to his efforts the plan is operating successfully in a number of colleges today. For the Association of American Universities, President Robertson investi- gated more than two hundred colleges and universities in the United States, In 1928 he published American Universities and Colleges which has been said to contain Hmore information concerning education than any other single Volume ever published in the United States. Dr. Robertson has also visited numerous European universities in connection with the international work of the American Council on Education. In 1926 Dr. Robertson represented the American Uni- Versities at the Third Congress of British Universities. In 1928 Dr. Robertson was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws by George Washington University, and in 1929 that of Doctor of Literature by Bucknell. If this sketch had been written somewhat later in the century, there would be several additional paragraphs, for a new chapter is being written in the life of rresident Robertson as well as in the history of Goucher College. The two oLOI'leS will merge and become one. New threads Will enter into the narrative and old threads will be spun out to glorious completion. To those who come after us, Goucher and David Allan Robertson Will be two inseparable names. And yet, so completely have President and Mrs. Robertson entered into the immediate life of the college and won the loyalty and devotion of the students. that to us who have known them only a brief year there hardly seems to have been a time when they were not here. Twenty-three

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The students, who like nine hundred black birds had been baked in a subterranean compartment of the Lyric Theater, were privileged to enter first. They remained standing while the members of Goucher's faculty and the oflicial delegates of othet colleges passed down the aisle in all the beauty and dignity of flowing robes and richly colorful hoods. Dr. Robertson en- tered at the end of the procession and with him walked Mrs. Herbert Hoover who was to receive an honorary degree. Two addresses preceded that of Presi- dent Robertson. Dr. Winifred Clara Cule lis, a charming British woman who was at that time President of the International Federation of University Women, spoke on University Women and International Rela- tions. Dr. Robert Andrews Millikan, probably the most eminent of living physicists, delivered an address on Educa- tion and Unemployment. Following the latter the President of the Board of Trustees presented the charter of Goucher College to Dr. Robertson. The loyalty of the students and the friendship of the guests present was evident in the splendid ovation following this action, the applause ending only when the entire assembly rose to express its joy. The president's inaugural address, The Teacher, expressed his ideals in regard to the almost sublime duty of the teacher and his very high standards for the character and abilities of the college professor. He emphasized the fact that, however important excellent physical equipment and a beautiful site may be, the primary concern of a college should be the gradual development of a splendid faculty. Following the inaugural address, honorary degrees were conferred, Miss Lizette Woodworth Reese. Baltimore poet, received the honorary degree of Doc- tor of Literature. Dr. Florence Rena Sabin, Dr. Winifred Clara Cullis and Mrs. Herbert Hoover received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. In the evening following the ceremony, a banquet was held at the Lord Baltimore Hotel in honor of President and Mrs. Robertson. More than six hundred guests were invited. Dr. Harris E. Kirk was a most genial and amusing toast master. After a number of delightful speeches, two of them made by Goucher Seniors, the First Lady of Goucher gave a charming talk. Dr. Rob- ertson, whose informal remarks are always highly enjoyable, brought the pro- gram to a close. Immediately after the banquet, President and Mrs. Robertson left for Chicago, their native city, where they were further honored. Dr. Robertson was born in that city, attended the public schools there and the University of Chicago and afterward taught at the University for more than twenty years. It is interesting to know that as an undergraduate David Allan Robertson took part in numerous campus activities. Cartooning campus dignitaries for the publications of the University was a favorite occupation. Dramatics clalmed Twenty-two

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DEAN PANCOAST