Lehigh University - Epitome Yearbook (Bethlehem, PA)

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BP Packard and Lehigh THE death of James Ward Packard on March 20, 1928, donor of the new laboratory under erection which bears his name, came as a great shock not only to his many friends, but to members of Lehigh as well. Before his serious illness was known, the 1929 Epitome had been dedicated to him for the tremendous interest he had shown in his Alma Mater, making possible the beginning of the realization of the dreams for a greater University. It was perhaps an act of fate that his death came at the very same time that work was started on clearing the ground for the new laboratory, which now will arise as a splendid monument to the memory of its donor. James Ward Packard was born at Warren, Ohio, November 5, 1863. His forefathers were early pioneers in the middle West, having settled there shortly after the Revolutionary War. It is perhaps from these foreparents that he derived the energy which enabled him to become a pioneer and outstanding leader in the industrial world. Mr. Packard was graduated from Lehigh in 1884 with the degree of Mechanical Engineer. Always interested in hew developments in all fields, he produced his first automobile in 1899. From that time until he retired from active participation in the industry in 1915, he was recognized as a leader in his field. In December 1926, Mr. Packard donated one million dollars to Lehigh L ' niversity for the erection of a new laboratory to take care of the overcrowded conditions of the mechanical and electrical engineering departments. Coming at such a time as it did, Mr. Packard ' s interest in his .Alma Mater made possible the beginning of the realization of an improved University. Others have fallen into step, and already much has been done. Dr. Richards has very kindly prepared a letter telling of the work accomplished, and also the projects in mind. In the 1928 Epitome I endeavored to define in concise and general terms the meaning of the slogan, The Greater Lehigh. Perhaps at this time it may be well to indicate the things that have been accomplished during the past five years and to restate the needs of the University that have not yet been met. During these five years, substantial progress has been made in expanding and strengthening the work of the several departments of instruction and administration, in improving the various curricula and in developing the spirit of research. The productive endowment of the University which was $3,000, OCO is now $5,000,000; and the total annual income from all sources has increased from approximately 8600,000 to 81,000,000. The Faculty has grown from 100 in number to 150, and the student body from 1000 to 1500. During this period the University has gained one major building, the Alumni Memorial Hall, and has begun the construction of the James Ward Packard Memorial Laboratory of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, which promises to he the finest structure of its kind in America. The reconstruction of Christmas-Saucon Hal! provided satisfactory accommodations for the College of Business Administration, the Department of English and the Students ' Health Service; and the remodeling of the old Commons building into an armory gave Lehigh one of the best plants for instruction in Military Science and Tactics to be found in an endowed college. The acquisition of Lehigh Field and the re- construction of the swimming pool in the gj-mnasium have greatly expanded the Llniver- sity ' s facilities for recreation and physical education. In addition, all the buildings on the campus have been repaired and repainted, and various minor improvements have been provided. Despite the progress that has been made, nuich remains to be accomplished before the dream of the Greater Lehigh is realized. The University has completely outgrown its Library. While plans for its enlargement have been perfected, no funds for the execution of the work have yet been provided. As

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w Charles Maxwell McC ' onn, M. Dean of the University ClIARl.KS M. MiCOXN, l.fliigli ' s first ;iml present Dean, has acquired an enviable record while serving in his present positio.i. Coming from the University of Illinois, where he had served for eighteen years, four of them as principal of the Academy, ten as registrar, and the last four as assistant to the president, Dean McConn found no small job awaiting him. To his initiative and courage of execution are to be accredited many of the improve- ments that have been made at Lehigh not only in administrative work, but also ill undergraduate activities. While the position of Dean is not always the most pleasant, he has with- 1(ich1 the displeasure of rumors and txcite.l members of the student body, and has been the more respected for the stands he has taken, lie has done especially well on his work in organizing adminis- tration methods, and establishing bene- ficiar ' rules on the campus. DR. EMERY, as Vice-President and Comptroller of Lehigh, has charge of the plant and accounts of the University. During the vacation months he is also director of the Summer sessions, thus retaining his touch with the academic world. For many years a member of tli faculty, and for sixteen ears as Vici President, prior to his present position, Dr. Emery has had a large part in de- veloping and encouraging the sons of Lehigh. He has found that men develope faster through personal contact than through any other agencies, and by his own energ - and example has been a great aid to Lehigh men. Many are the alumni of Lehigh who owe a great deal to Natl Emery, and who are only too willing to pay their debt of gratitude. Natt Morrill Emery, M.. ., Litt. D. Vice-President and Comptroller

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ES planned, the new library will have reading room space for 400 persons and a stack room capacity of over a half-million volumes. The estimated cost of this essential improvement is 8500,000. With the completion of the library, the University ' s educational plant for its present organization will be in splendid condition. In order, however, that it may attain the degree of eminence in the scholarly world that has been the goal of Lehigh ' s friends, it will be necessary to put the research work of the University on a more substantial basis than now obtains. An endowment for research of not less than 82,000,000 is seriously needed. The income from that sum would give a tremendous impetus to scholarly w ork that would quickly place Lehigh among the outstanding universities of the country. We are greatly concerned over the fact that at present 600 or more students are required to live in Bethlehem wherever they can find accommodations. An adequate dormitory system is one of Lehigh ' s most serious needs. The LIniversity can now house 171 students while it should be prepared to offer suitable living accommodations to 700 or 800 students. The cost of dormitories sufficient to meet our present requirements will be approximately S2, 000, 000. I have recently requested the University ' s architects to study the dormitory problem with a view to developing plans for a group of residence halls that can be built on a site on the camjjus that seems suitable and that will afford a beautiful setting for such a group. To enable the University to safeguard the licilth of its students more effectively than is possible under present conditions, it should be provided with a well appointed infirmary. With the erection of .■5uch a building any student who was ill enough to be confined to his bed would be removed to the infirmary where he could receive proper care. The cost of an infirmary with an endowment for its maintenance will entail the investment of one million dollars. Finally, there is real need for an auditorium large enough to seat 2000 persons, and suitable for various purposes such as college lectures. Commencement and Founder ' s Day exercises, the Bach Festival, Mustard and Cheese plays, etc. While such a building may be regarded as something of a luxury, there is no doubt that it would add greatly to the attractiveness of the life of the University. These, then, are some of the more important of the immediate objectives of The Greater Lehigh. Without doubt, as the years go by other needs no less pressing than the above may develop; such is the price of progress. C. R. Richards, President.