Kent State University - Chestnut Burr Yearbook (Kent, OH)

Page 25 text:

As a token of its tribute to Dr. Leebrick on the occasion of his in- auguration, the University of Hawaii, where he formerly served as head of the department of political science, sent leis — Hawaiian tokens of love. The leis were made by natives three days befor the inauguration, rushed aboard a Pan-American Clipper Ship, flown to San Francisco where they were transferred to another plane which flew them to Akron. From Akron they were brought to Kent and worn by Dr. Leebrick, his wife and daughter during the inauguration ceremony. The pictures shown here were sent with the leis. 21

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Cleveland Plain Dealer was toastmaster. Former Ohio governor Martin L. Davey also spoke and the main address was given by President Rufus B. von KleinSmid, University of Southern California. The ceremony concluded with a final program in Wills gymnasium in which John Batchelder of the senior class, extended the students ' welcome to Dr. Leebrick. Born 53 years ago in Iowa, Dr. Leebrick was graduated from the normal school at Tempe, Arizona and later received a doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Cali- fornia in 1916. Later he served as head of the political science department at the University of Hawaii and was executive secretary of national conference on education, reclamation and recreation in Honolulu. He came to Kent State from Syracuse University where he was dean of the liberal arts college and professor of international relations. He is considered an authority on Pacific relations and was director of the Institute of International Relations on the Pacific Coast. Kent State University students were vitally interested and hod a part in the inauguration of Dr. Leebrick as the fourth president of their University. From the balcony of the atrium in the Administration building they watched notables of the educational world arrive for the august ceremonies. Many assisted in the behind-the-scenes work that had to be done, such as mapping out the course for the inaugural procession in the afternoon. Seniors and graduate students marched in the academic procession, while still other students were enrolled in the group that carried the University ' s colors. Still others, camera-stricken students, found the inaugural, especially the procession, good photography material. In the final event of the inauguration program, senior John Batchelder extended the student body ' s welcome to Dr. Leebrick. And while students, faculty, guests and others participated in or watched the impressive ceremony, those who engineered it, the faculty members of the inaugural committee pictured below, sat bock and were satisfied with having done a good job. 20

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Board of Trustees Left to right: Major Roy H. Smith; Miss Alma Zinninger; Dr. K. C. Leebrick; John R. Williams, pres.; Joseph B. Hanan. 22 •