Mississippi College - Tribesman Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

Page 23 text:

John William Provine, A. B., A. M., Ph. D. Professor of Chemistry You have made the wiser ch oice — A life that moves to gracious ends, Thro’ troops of unforgetting friends — A deedful life. — Tennyson. OHN W ILLIAM PROVINE, Ph. D., Professor of Chemistry and head of the Department of Natural Sciences in Mississippi College, was born and reared at Cole’s Creek, Calhoun County, Mississippi. His college education was secured at Mississippi State University, where he was graduated with the bachelor’s degree in 1888. Winning the chemistry fellowship in the University in his Senior year which was given on competitive examination, he did postgraduate work in that department and took his master’s degree in 1890. After this, three years were spent in study abroad, most of the time being spent in Munich and Gottingen. He was graduated in Chemistry in the latter institution in 1893 with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. On Dr. Provine’s return to America in 1893, he was elected to the Chair of Chemistry in Mississippi College. The department, however, had to be created, for not much more than a beginning had been made in Chemistry in that institution until he took charge of the depart- ment. It is now recognized as one of the strongest departments in the College, and, indeed, one of the strongest departments of Chemistry in any college in the State. As a chemist, Doctor rovine has no superior in Mississippi; he is frequently called on for expert scientific work. When the presidency of the College became vacant in 1895, by the resignation of President V enable, Doctor Provine was asked by the Board of Trustees to act as Chairman of the Faculty, VN nch he did for two years; then he was made President, and served with marked administra- tive ability until 1898, when he asked the Board to relieve him of the executive duties of the College. In addition to his professional duties, he has many outside interests. He is recognized as the business man of the faculty. By way of diversion he runs a large farm on practical an ( scientific principles. As mayor of the town of Clinton, he inaugurated the splendid system ( e ectric lights and waterworks. He is still a member of the town board, and takes an active interest in all that pertains to civic improvement. Moreover, he is one of the directors of the Bank of Clinton, manager of the steam laundry, president of the Business Men’s League treasurer of the church, and treasurer of the local lyceum bureau. In all these capacities his counsel is practical, and looks to the interest of all concerned. S The subject of this sketch is no less active in Christian work. For several 1 rovine has been superintendent of the Baptist Sunday School, and in that work his ability as an organizer has been conspicuously manifested. The school is a model of practical and efficient organization. 1 ULdl dIia It would seem that no better example could be found for young college men to emulate than Doctor 1 rovine. He is averse to sham and deceit, a lover of system anil businesslike Tnd e °nerV rea f 7 u°T “ f tS his inStrU « ion d unsparing in time his tasr 8y ’l l ? -T ? SUggeSt ' ° n - versatile in abilities and democratic in Christ l h ' m ,S a eXamp ' e ° f the S P lendld ci t en, the forceful teacher, and the exemplary !9

Page 25 text:

Algernon Jasper Aven, B. A., M. A. Professor of Latin |3l0j|AD he been horn in the time when the ancient bards sang their lays, accom- I Si! P an ed y x e ty re he wou l d have sung sweeter than them all. Had he lived PJliyi in the daVS Catuilus or or Ovid, to the poetry of the Latins would have been added rich gems of thought and rhythm. Had he lived when the blood of of our savage ancestors moved to wild and passionate poetry and yet wilder, more daring deeds, his voice would have been heard above the din, gentle and restraining, its ring of truth and sincerity calling men back to the good, the beautiful, the true. For Algernon Jasper Aven rises above time and place and age; he would have been what he is any time, anywhere. Yet are we immeasurably glad that his lot has been cast, not in the past, but in the present, when the world, surfeited with song and poetry and daring deeds, stands in sore need of something infinitely better — pure, noble, unselfish, manly lives. However, there had to be a time and place — August 25, 1858, near Graysport, Grenada County, Mississippi, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Aven. His early education was in the rural schools of that county, and in 1880 he entered the University of Mississippi, from which he was graduated in 1884 with B. A. degree, fourth in a class of sixteen, and was member of the Delta Psi fraternity. He then immediately began teaching. From 1884 to 1885 he was principal of Cole’s Creek Academy; principal Winona Male Academy 1885-89; came to Mississippi College in 1889, where he filled the chair of English till 1890, when, at his own request, he was transferred to the chair of Latin. He was also instructor in French during this time. A year’s work in the University of Chicago, 1894-95, gave him his Master’s degree. February 24, 1887, he was married to Miss Mary Catherine Bailey, of Winona, Mississippi, to whom he owes the inspiration and happiness of his service in all his work. Professor Aven fulfills the measure of a man. True, he is neither so rich nor so famous as he deserves to be. An aspirant for fame of any sort he is not. But there are many who know him and wish that others did, and all who know him are better for the acquaintance. If it be the measure of a man to know a noble purpose, to pursue it, to embody it, and so inspire others with it, this is he. Not many aims, but one he holds, that other lives may be richer, better, fuller, gladder by his own. Ask the hoys for a model of courtly kindness, and where the treasure-house of friendship is, and you will hear a chorus that sounds like “Ajax!” Ask many of them who gave them a word of greeting at a critical time, who came to them when their souls were in the throes of travail and they needed someone to guide them to the real meaning of life and how to join this life to the next and make them one, who led them to the light when they were in darkness and brought brightness out of confusion, and memory kindles a new sense of gratitude, and with voice subdued to be the vehicle of most sacred experience they refer you to Prof. Aven. Tall enough to command attention anywhere, handsome enough to make a favorable impression, unselfish enough to preserve it, conscientious enough to make good use of it and faithful in the performance of the duties of friendship and his office, may his character be reproduced in many brought into the circle of his influence. Already having the record of the longest continuous service in the College, may he continue all his days “the noblest Roman cf them all”! “Poet, more poet for beauty than for fame; Sage for the sake of being not for seeming wise; Preacher of truth, and not of praise nor blame; Critic, whose law inspires as well as tries— You, who have deepened and enlarged your day, You shall remain when it has passed away.” 21