Guilford College - Quaker Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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DR. RAYMOND BINFORD UILFORD college esteems herself fortunate in the possession of Dr. Raymond Binford as her President. After a period of unsettlement she now feels that progress is guaranteed and her future secure. We are confident that the affairs of the college are in competent hands. We have as president a man who possesses in an unique manner the necessary qualifications. He was reared as a Friend among Friends, he was educated at a sister Quaker college, he is an University man, he is a sound scholar, a capable administrator, an eloquent and forceful speaker, and above all, he thoroughly understands local conditions. We regard him as one of ourselves, for in a long period of probation he proved his worth as a mem- ber of the Faculty. Therefore the class of Nineteen Hundred and Twenty, dedicate this book to him as an expression of our love, honor and confidence. Raymond Binford, son of Josiah and Margaret Binford. was born near Carthage, Indiana. In his boyhood the family moved to Kansas, where he received his early education in a community of Friends. He later attended Earlham College, and received the degree of B S. in 1901. Then began his connection with Guilford College. Coming here as Professor of Biology and Geology he remained intimately associated with the college for the next thir- teen years. His activities and interests were in no way limited to his lecture loom and laboratory. He identified himself with all our Social and Literary interests, and made a place for himself in the Yearly Meeting at large. As a true student he naturally continued his scientific investigation. In 1906 he received the Degree of S.M. from the University of Chicago and in 1912 the Degree of Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, where he had held a Fellowship. He was at the United States Fisheries Laboratory, Beaufort, N. C, as Scientific Assistant during the summers of 1908-11 : and was Instruct- or in Invertebrate Zoology at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Mass., during the summers of 1912-17. Aftei receiving the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy he was called to his Alma Mater as Professor of Zoology, where he remained four years and until he was elected as our President. In 1913 he married Helen Titsworth, a grand-daughter of Naomi Jay. Mrs. Binford is a woman of letters, being a graduate of Earlham college, and having been Professor of French and German at the Friends ' University, Wichita, Kansas and at the Maryland College for women Pa Iff Four

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DEDicnriort lUs=

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Being descended from a long line of Quaker ancestors, a number of whom were Ministers of the Gospel, Raymond Binford proved himself worthy of his inheritance and was recorded a Minister by New Garden Monthly Meet- ing in 1905. The scientific exactness of his mind together with his capacity for work has won for him the honor of wearing a Phi Beta Kappa key. This exactness however does not make him intolerant of those who do not have this capacity. His methods of teaching are uniquely his own, but one who follows his cour- ses cannot help but absorb something from them. Dr. Binford coming to us, as he did in 1918. at a time when Guilford along with all other colleges and Universities of the country were undergoing the stress of war times, at once put his shoulder to the wheel and has not since taken it away. During the Influenza epidemic of that year he was unceasing in his solicitude for the health and welfare of all. In the Spring of 1919 he initiated and personally conducted a campaign to increase the endowment of the college to the million dollar mark. This goal has not yet been reached, but his success in this has far exceeded the expectations of the most enthu- siastic of his supporters. This year he has had added to his cares an import- ant place in the Interchurch Movement. He entered whole heartedly into this great work as he does into everything that wins his support. That is one of his great characteristics. He never does anything by halves. During the time we have known him as President we have learned to ap- preciate his strength of character, and are not unmindful of the many per- sonal sacrifices he is making in seeking to put Guilford College in the front lank of the educational institutions of the old North State. I ' lUje Fhe