Hillsdale College - Winona Yearbook (Hillsdale, MI)

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llbresibent flbosber. A college president has some questions more perplexing to solve than has the Governor of a great state, to manage things effi- ciently and without friction needs a higher order of executive ability than has even the chief executive of the state. So spoke recently the editor of a local paper. The various talents needed in a person who stands at the head of a great college makes the choice of a college president a very difficult matter. Ten years ago a committee of the trustees of Hillsdale College was seeking a person for president of the school. No special emer- gency had arisen, no crisis seemed near at hand, yet it was felt by all that the need was for a man of broad and liberal culture, a person who, upon the platform and among men, would represent favorably a great college interest, a person who is fully abreast of modern thought, and yet so wise in counsel as to be safe in the midst of both the progressives and conservatives. Among other persons brought to the attention of the committee was a man educated at Bowdoin College, for some years the editor of a denominational paper, a man having held various ofhcial positions--at home, in the state legis- lature, a consul in France, then in Germany. After careful investi- gation and mature deliberation, Hon George Frank Mosher was invited to the presidency of the college. He, in time, accepted. After nearly ten years of actual service, the wisdom of the choice has been made fully apparent. Some of Pres. Mosher's strong points are as follows: CID He is a man who largely keeps his own counsel, while in important questions, always seeking the judgment of the best informed persons, and ever ready to accept any and all proper suggestions, after carefully weighing the evidence, he de- pends upon himself chiefly for the decision. The personal advice and suggestions of all friends are kept in strictest confidence, and no busy-bodiesm ever succeed in securing from him any idea of the ' 7

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HON. GEORGE F. MOSHER, LL. D., PRESIDENT

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views of his confidential advisers. Qfzj He has skill in securing cooperation in the plans he-desires carried out: aptness in adjusting differences of opinion, and tact in avoiding friction. Some schools are unpleasantly advertised because the public has knowledge of many of the cases of college discipline. While Hillsdale has had for years an exceptional class of young men and women, yet some cases of discipline have been necessary. These have been managed so judiciously, so kindly, so courageously, that a wholesome effect has been felt in the school, and yet the details of management are quite unknown, and no one has been unnecessarily humiliated, nor his friends unpleasantly advertised. Yery few people, even those closely connected with the college, have a true idea of the adjust- ments that 'are made and the discipline administered in quiet. Q31 He has clearness of vision, keen discernment, and wise counsel. Few men are able to attend well to petty details of work, and also to maintain a liberal judgment in great undertakings. In trustee and presidential committee meetings, in faculty meeting, in caucus and convention. some well-balanced men seem sometimes to lose their ,usual discernment, but Pres. Mosher has won a reputation for being clear-headed and safe, and his words always command the closest attention and highest respect. Q45 He has strong, clear. sensible thought in written address and platform utterance. Wfhen he writes or speaks, he always says something, and when he has said iz, he stops. Q5D His general appearance upon all public occasions is that of a man of culture, of business, of executive ability. The college is honored wherever the president appears in public. Q62 His social qualities are of that peculiar sort that in administrative work, on reception occasions, in general social gatherings, all those in his presence feel at once at ease, and ready for the occasion. Never insincere, seldom demonstrative, always self-possessed, he represents the best quality of social virtues. Such are some of the characteristics of the president of Hillsdale College. Liberally endowed by Nature, a careful and close student, familiar with the best life of America and Europe, Pres. Mosher has given the school the best ten years of his life. May the college he blessed with another decade of his efficient service! 8