Medical College of Virginia - X Ray Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

Page 22 text:

Tke Inauguration HE inauguration of Dr. William Thomas Sanger as president of the Med- ical College of Virginia was observed on Monday, May 31, 1926, with impressive exercises. The installation ceremonies were held at the Lyric Theater at 1 1 o ' clock, with the Honorable Harry Floyd Byrd, Governor of Virginia, presiding. A notable feature of the inauguration, and one which attracted wide attention was the procession, in cap and gown, of the student body headed by the faculty, the new president, and distinguished visitors ; this stretched for three city blocks and moved in solemn and impressive order from the college building at Twelfth and Clay streets out through the Capitol Square to the Lyric Building at Ninth and Broad streets. The Governor of the State walked with President Sanger at the head of the line. The Lyric Building was filled to capacity. Seated on the platform was a distin- guished array of men eminent in the field of education, finance, and government. The pit of the theater was filled with alumni and students, a touch of color being lent by the large number of women visitors present. The invocation was offered by Dr. F. W. Boatwright, president of the University of Richmond, and an address of welcome and congratulation by the governor. Presi- dent Sanger, the speaker of the occasion, was presented by Mr. Eppa Hunton, Junior, chairman of the Board of Visitors of the Medical College of Virginia. The inaugural address of the present was notable, not so much for its reference to the long and distinguished record of the institution as for the picture he held forth of predicated achievements which would place the college in the forefront of all similar institutions, wherever located. President Sanger was for several years secretary of the Virginia State Board of Education. Before entering actively into the service of the state he had a distin- guished and varied career as an educator, both within and without the confines of the Old Dominion. For these reasons, joined with his innate ability, energy, and force, the Medical College of Virginia considered itself fortunate in securing his services. It was, therefore, on this account, that the inaugural pronouncements of the new presi- dent were followed with the utmost attention as being fraught with consummate significance.

Page 21 text:

William T. Sanger, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. President Medical College of Virginia

Page 23 text:

Under the leadership of Doctor Sanger, it was freely predicted by members of the Board of Visitors, as well as by faculty members, that the banner of the Medical College of Virginia would move rapidly to an even brighter day. The inaugural address of the president materially increased the confidence which his acceptance of college leadership had brought, and stamped him not only as a man of distinguished and wide vision, but one of dynamic energy and strong leadership. Among the very distinguished men who occupied seats on the stage and listened with approbation and evident pleasure to the address of the president, was Dr. Stuart McGuire, retiring president, whose association with the college has been invaluable. Besides the addresses from the Governor and others, noteworthy were the re- marks of Dr. Samuel P. Capen, Chancellor of the University of Buffalo, and those of Dr. B. M. Randolph, of George Washington University. The benediction was pronounced by Dr. Paul H. Bowman, president of Bridge- water College. It is believed that the inauguration of Dr. William Thomas Sanger as president of the Medical College of Virginia opened up a new era and will bring a larger and fuller measure of accomplishment, of effort, and success to this leader among the professional schools of the South. At night on inauguration day, as a further part of the ceremonies, short papers were presented at the formal dinner at the Commonwealth Club by Dr. Wyndham B. Blanton for Hampden-Sidney College; Dr. Stuart McGuire, retiring president. Medical College of Virginia; Dean C. B. Jordan, dean School of Pharmacy, Purdue University; Dr. J. C. Flippin, dean Department of Medicine, University of Virginia; Miss Ethel Smith, secretary of the Virginia State Board of Examiners of Nurses, and Dr. Charles R. Turner, dean School of Dentistry, University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Eppa Hunton, Junior, chairman Board of Visitors of the Medical College of ' ' irginia, presided at the dinner.