Penn State University - La Vie Yearbook (University Park, PA)

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wg N X CP QD LA VIE 17 with the positive assurance that they were mine for always. After an experience of this kind, how can formal and set words and phrases begin to show what Dr. Atherton was, and what he did, not for me alone, but for many, many ambitious and deserving young men? That is the kind of man who 15 most truly great and most truly good-the man who makes it possible for his brothers to rise to higher planes of life and greater fields of usefulness. It is a goodness of the nature of a little leaven leaveneth a great lump. I think it no exaggeration to say that there are many men in the country now, of prominence and material prosperity, who, but for Dr. Atherton, would be spending their lives in obscurity, if not in poverty. Dr. Ath- erton may not always have been understood by some of the students. He was a great man api. they too close to him to see him in proper perspective. It requires distance, and a lapse o ime. H No inquiry is necessary to recall the infiuence of Dr. Atherton's personality upon my life, so frequently have memories of him come to me unsolicited. How he filled such a place in the minds and hearts of the students, while constantly burdened with the great work of building up the material plant and equipment of the college shows how broad and magnetic he was and how radiantly his iniiuence went out. From l1is practical demonstrations of resourcefulness, capacity and the good that was in him we took our highest inspiration. His enthusiasm in whatever he set about to do taught us the force of that trait, for it appeared that such things as he considered worth doing could best be done with spirit and will. His methods displayed forethought as well as acquired skill, and taught us the lesson of careful and conscientious training. He was kind and he was generous. He was not the least unapproachable or affected. Was there a man of his station and responsibility ever less so? I never heard of an instance where he declined to discuss with a student any matter, ever so trivial, brought before him. His reserve was not of the kind to impress one that he feared unexpected situations. H Honesty and self-reliance he continually impressed upon us from every point of view. I may be pardoned if I assume that there are but few college students who have not, at one time or another, participated in some affair which had an unpleasant termination. Incidents of this kind that came before the faculty, Dr. Atherton always turned to account for instruc- tion, rather than as particular occasions for reproof or show of authority. He would dwell upon the idea that although one might conceal his actions with those of tl1e crowd, still the influence of such an attitude was weakening to character. The manly fellow was he who stood on his own responsibility, even in error, and his way of presenting such thoughts really made one feel himself the coward unless he did come out and do his duty under the circumstances. U I cannot forget his patriotic sentiments, continually expressed by formal address or by casual inference, on one's duty as a citizen. His keynote seemed to be the effect on the com- munity of every one doing his part. I must say, however, aword of one more of his noble traits, and in this I shall, although not by necessity, touch a tender chord, a relation more nearly confidential. His sympathy was broad and genuine and extremely practical, and I doubt if any student could fail to realize this, however slight the personal acquaintance. There were some, however, who were peculiarly situated for such appreciation. In my day at State College a number of students found it necessary to work their way. Dr. Atherton always knew who these students were, and man- aged to keep track of their fortunes in a pleasing way, for whenever opportunities for. self- maintenance failed to go round he made more. It was his l1ab1t to occasionally inquire of each of these fellows how he was getting on. I know of more than one who had hard pulling to continue at his college work, and when Dr. Atherton had ascertained the'facts his sugges- tions were always encouraging and helpful. 'Now, young man, I guessuwe will give you such and such to do.. Anyway, try the plan for awhile,' he would say. 'Grit your teeth and hang on, donlt drop out. If you again get to the point where it seems 'you cannot make it go, let me k11ow about it., That was his style of encouragement-the kind under which one could retain all of his self-respect, and the kind that made him -feel it was worth while to 'make it go.' Wliile but few students were in position to appreciate the goodness of the man in matters like this, still it was a great service, a greatikindness, and it meant everything to these few-it meant the difference between sink or swim.

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JD CL lg PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGE v- MS- . '-'ek T1 I V 'fr' t U .it -X NX -N . , af A 1' :Z'..f SCHXVAB AUDITORIUM HTHE JEWEL OF HIS EVEN 4- INIARKS THE GRAVE OF DR. ATHERTON manner, relving on the merits of the cause, the Doctor was always receptive and considerate, and the merits of the cause governed the Presidentls decisionf, I was ever impressed with President Atherton's interest in every State man-First, as to that nianls own welfare, and second, that the manls life should be an honor to l11S.A1IH3 Mater. Further, every State man whom I have heard express himself, who came in direct Contact with Dr. Atherton, endorses what I have here statedf, it it N 9? it J Une man, when beyond the average age of Students, came upon a Penn- State catalogue and greatly wanted to take a college course. He says: I finally arranged to borrow what money I needed in small sums, just as I needed it, from a friend. This arrangement continued for Freshman year and for a few months in Soph- omore. One day I received a letter in which my friend stated the regret that, on account of some trouble, I could obtain no further remittances from him. You may judge of the way I felt. For some days I went about simply dazed. I was progressing so Well in my Work that I could not think of quitting, yet that seemed the only alternative. I wrote several friends and relatives, but to no purpose. One relative who had abundant means turned me dOW11 flatly. I saw no prospect ahead except to give up, as I had absolutely no money and 110 K'llllllCC to get any. Finally, in desperation, I went to Dr. Atherton and told him everything. II.e talked with me long and earnestly, and before I left the office he told me to get the idea ol quitting out of my mind entirely. He said, in substance, that he would either put me in the way ot earning the money I needed or furnish it himself, if he had to borrow it. You can IYHWMIHC IIOW I felt. My hopes, all my prospects for the future, which had Seemed just slip- lml! llcfmlfl my reach, despite everything I could do, were suddenly put into my hands agam 1 ------ -sw NA. -1.1,-,ru-.-,vq-9...-u....,,....-,.,, - , V A .

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L . A D Gp L . 18 PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGE .. tl L d arest memory of him is not as tl1e president, but as my I Gag grqtllilulliitsiriill iilwlziljiys bee a gratification to me that I was permitted to know him F1611 . zz- , . Qriaplilegrasiiiutimate personal way than was given to most undergraduates. I had occasion more - - ' d m self and other t tl ' kin of his warm Generous nature, both towar y ' 5, iliiiiriiliuthdxiiiincttd ofehisciife nidst have been,'iI-Ielpfulnessf The welfare of every man 1n col- dear to him and no one ever went to him for advice or help but came away with firelixeiiiarliligiieiiciatioii of his, interest and sympathy. In my own case I can say that, had he been mv father he could not have been more kind, and I have a very grateful remembrance of lns earnest arid willing efforts in my behalf, immediately succeeding my graduation. He had a ready sympathy with all forms of student life, and the development of. undergraduate activ- ities in athletic, literary, dramatic and other lines of work met with his hearty co-operation and support. just a short time before his death I had a note fromlhlm in which he said: 'My chief compensation in what has been very arduous work is found in the fact that I have been able to be of service to a large number of young men who are now filling honorable positions, and tl1at the college is now, as I believe, so well established in the confidence of the people of the State that its work will not be allowed to suffer any decl1ne.' In that paragraph is re- vealed the man. It was l1is ambition to be of service and help to those who needed it. There are scores of State men all over the country who are striving to do their duty in the world in the way that he taught, and in the way that he would havenwished, and the lesson of service as exemplified in his own life is an inspiration and an incentive to us all. The head of one of the principal departments in one of the great univer- sities of the country gives a vigorous picture of President Atherton in his official relations: President Atherton was the fortunate possessor of a strong individuality, he belonged to no class. Sanguine in temperament, yet calm in counsel, aggressive in disposition, yet temperate in measures, the secret of his success lay largely in a power of will which always fell short of obstinacy, a persistence which frequently verged on dogmatism, and an ability in official relations to say 'No,' sharply, decisively and finally. Sometimes this quality, excel- lent in an executive, made him appear to be domineering and exacting, but reflection showed the disgruntled fact that his judgment in the case had been correct and his ground well taken. His individuality extended to l1is personal appearance. His bearing showed the soldier that he was at one time, and the scholar that he was at all times. No stranger wasrdisappointed at first beholding President Atherton, no member of his faculty ever had occasion for chagrin when President Atherton was compared in appearance with other leaders. Whether in gath- erings of learned men, in legislative corridors or among the students, he was always President Atherton. He looked the part. Reserved, yetnot haughty, dignified without official arrogance, he gained the respect of scholars and politicians alike because he commanded their respect. However others might differ with lnm in lns legislative relations, they were compelled to acknowledge that he sought neither self-aggrandizement nor personal honors, but always the good of the college. However fast flew. the changes of corruption his most zealous enemy found no Haw in the armop of his integrity 'for a shaft of this nature. teC1miCci1111Cpg into lns administration at the dawn of the industrial era when the demand for the Chia. e ucationutirst became apparent, President Atherton was able to leap the bounds of .sical school in wlnch he had been trained and to take a comprehensive view of tl1e ilraechanic arts, Wll1Ci1 Won the admiration not only of America, but of the Old World as Well. lose W110, like the writer, passed from his administration to serve under other chiefs and in other faculties can best appreciate the fortitude the co di lit th ' ' . . . . tl l t d tl d- unnistrative graSP Of President Atherton. y r a yi e Ca 10 ICI yi an le a 1 dAside from the ofiicial relation, the majority of the men of his faculty la a keen sense of his personal and helpful interest in their individual work. One of them says: The strongest tribute to my thinking that is made to Dr. Atherton is in the fact that every man who ever vvorkeid under him came so greatly to admire him V X 'T 1 tiwf SW .1 1 ig.. dei: ET rj: C015 H57 1