Rollins College - Tomokan Yearbook (Winter Park, FL)

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Faculty and Administration

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FOREWORD

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Prexy ' ' If any place deserves a reputation for prodiicinii rare and great components of the American scene, it is Brooklyn, it fostered the genius of Walt Whitman and gave American sport lans the wild and wooly Dodgers, basehali It aui incredible. And equally important, certainly to all those who have come into con- tact with the man ... it can boast of being the birthplace of Hamilton Holt. Here at once is both an institution and a man. Few people can think of Rollins College without men- tally associating Hamilton Holt with it, and the reverse is also true. A hap])y combination of the dreamer and the })ractical man, Hamilton Holt might well go down in American history as one of the nation s fore- most idealists. et a glance at bis life record will add weight to tiie argument that no mere theorist could have ac hieved as much as has Rollins ' beloved Prexy. Shortly after his graduation i rom Yale in 1894, Hamilton Holt joined the staff of The Independent, one of America ' s greatest liberal magazines. As editor and owner, he exerted a ]»owerful influence in the publication ' s continued |)rominence. until 1921. It was in the early weeks of the first World War that Editor Holt put forth bis ])roposal for a League of Peace, in an arlicb j ublished in the September issue of The IndejK ' ndent. Since that time only one cause has been closer to bis heart than the peace movement. That cause has been the growth and up-i)uilding of Rollins College. Dr. Holt has been identified with all major peace movements, and as personal friend and adviser to both William Howard Pafl and Woodrow Wilson, be was |)rominent in the movement to establish the League of Nations. In recognition ol the importance ol his cont ribution to civilization and bis work as an inter- nationalist, he has been decorated by the governments of Greece. France, Italy, Poland, Sweden and Jugoslavia. Nor has his greatness been confined to this field alone. Noted for his outstanding work in the intro- duction of the Conference Plan and other innovations in the field of progressive education, be has been given honorary degices from Ursinus, Wooster, Wilberforce, Oberlin, Ollerbein. Baylor and Boston University. But Rollins students have never found the need to look backward or to examine Hamilton Holt in the light of bis worldly achievements. Prexy is taken at his face value; as an entertaining companion, an inspiring friend, a hel])ful co-worker and above all, a man of great and noble loveliness of character. His witty speeches and impromptu verses have long been a s»)urce ol merriment at convivial gatherings. His prowess with the tennis racquet, hitherto undisclosed, is second only to bis skill with piano, fife, or what- ever nuisical instrument be can reach. Friend, leader and guiding s] irit . . . Rollins College salutes its great president, Hamilton Holt,