Stevens Institute of Technology - Link Yearbook (Hoboken, NJ)

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-,gi-.+,. MNK -g Dr. Alexander C. Humphreys N THE daily grind of curriculum work we are apt to lose sight of the far-off goal of success and to focus our thoughts with dismay on the numerous obstacles which seem to render our pathway impassable. At such times it is well for us to consider the accomplishments of others under similar conditions. The achievements of Dr. Humphreys are particularly inspiring to us as technical students. Alexander C. Humphreys came with his parents to the United States in 1859. His early aspirations were maritime. At the age of fourteen he received an appoint- ment to the United States Naval Academy, but, although he successfully passed the entrance tests, he was denied admission becauseiof his youth. Thus his ambition was diverted, the result being his illustrious technical career. ' For twelve years he applied himself diligently to his various positions, and won respect and promotion because of his intelligence and splendid character. More and more clearly, however, he realized that he lacked the special technical training which he needed to achieve notable success. He learned by consulting Dr. Henry Morton,that by attending.Stevens Institute on the two forenoons a week when his company could spare him, he might possibly complete the course in six years. Dr. Humphreys, however, succeeded in graduating after four years under this arrangement, with such high honors that the Faculty passed a special resolution commending him for his remarkable accomplishments. The full significance of this achievement can be appreciated only when it is realized that he had been out of school for twelve years and had lost the habit of daily study' that he and his family were entirely dependent upon the modest salary which he drew from his responsible position as Superintendent of the Bayonne and Greenville Gas Light Company' and that he continued faithfully in the discharge of other duties such as Treasurer of Trinity Church Superintendent of its Sunday School Member of the Bayonne Board of Education and Foreman of the Volunteer Fire Brigade. After his graduation Dr. Humphreys reaped the fruits of his efforts in his wonderful success in the various' gas and electric-light industries with which he became affiliated. He is regarded as one of the foremost authorities on illuminating engineering. He is also the author of many valuable treatises on this and other technical topics. In 1902 at the age of 51 Dr. Humphreys was unanimously chosen President of Stevens Institute of Technology to succeed the deceased Dr. Morton. Unselfishly he answered the call and devoted himself to the service of his Alma Mater. During the period of his presidency the Institute has made great progress. Several new buildings and considerable land have been acquired. Without detracting from the original high-grade course, Dr. Humphreys has made additions which his wide practical experience convinced him were essential to the real success of a technical man Chief among these are the Course in Economics of Engineering and the Department of Structural Engineering Dr Humphrey s life has been one of many d1H'icult1es and illustrious successes His achievements before his selection as president and also as its chief executive have been such as to make him respected and cherished by all who know him 3 ! 9 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 l . . - , ,- ..4.?a 177 ... ,gg

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Q Q fi AWE UNK e The Endowment Fund OWARDS the latter part of 1923, it became necessary to increase the Endow- ment Fund of Stevens. To attain this end an intense campaign was planned to secure the sum of one million dollars from Alumni, students, and others interested in the engineering profession. One of the essentials of such a drive was publicity. Attention had to be directed towards the object and public interest aroused. For that purpose, the museum in the Library Building was raided by Professor Anderson and his corps of assistants and students. After many days of arduous labor, Eve of the ancient chariots were coaxed to run in a somewhat uncertain manner. Carburetors were adjusted, spark coils fixed, and gasoline disappeared by the bucketful. Finally, on the day of the Swarthmore football game, the five ancient vehicles slowly chugged up to the track around the athletic Held. Here one of the strangest contests of modern times was staged. A race was held around the track in which five cars competed, not one of which was less than twenty years old. Before a battery of cameras the chariots lined up. No roaring of motors greeted the starting gun, instead, an irregular pulling sound, suggestive of a motor boat, was carried to the ears of the interested spectators. The C. G. V. with the unpronounceable name got off to a fast start and showed bursts of speed, but alas, in the predifferential days in which the C. G. V. was constructed, chain drives were used-and chains break. While the driver and mechanic vainly endeavored to patch the chain with elastic bands, the elementary Ford had been steadily gaining upon the other contestants which were in various stages of repair. Finally, after a thrilling iinish, the 1902 Lizzie was declared winner by a lap or two. A durability road run was next attempted. The ancient five were again tuned up, and one day in anuary the casual New York crowds were astonished to see live prehistoric chariots cavorting up Fifth Avenue. Past traffic signs went the speed demons with a police escort up to the Public Library at 42nd Street, where a stop was made to allow the De Dion Bouton, familiarly called The Covered Wagon, to arrive. One of the noiseless chariots dropped a tire along the way, but as no stop could be made at the time for non-essentials, a boy was sent back for it. After the photographers had used up their films, the pace was set for the Bronx Armory where the auto show was to be held, and here the contestants were judged. The C. G. V., again suffering from bad luck, had a leaky radiator, the others all had minor repairs made except the Panhard which was declared the winner. Later in February, a motion-picture company wished to take pictures of the now famous cars, and so, accompanied by actors dressed to match the vehicles the pictures were taken In this manner much publicity was given and material assistance rendered to the Endowment Fund by live old autos which had been thought to be useless It 37 l J 3 GK 37 N i g . 7 .9, 3 i i , bw ' . , . 20 vi i - - .. 34'-i e lww T if? Ge 4 -4 'fly' f .- .1 ' ? '? i5'9 -ah .,. A LL Q Q L 2 1'