Taylor University - Ilium / Gem Yearbook (Upland, IN)

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1IIIIII1IIIIII ITTTTTT DR. B. W. AYRES. The mere mention of the name Dean Ayres will remind hundreds of a char- acter in which the great cardinal virtues stand out strong and clear — a man — God ' s man, strong, plain and true, touching lives, here, there and everywhere, teaching them by his own high ideals to think clearly, to act truly, and to trust implicitly in God. He was born in our Hoosier State, at Hartford City, December 29, 1865 and he spent the most of a life of study and service near his native community. In 1885, the year following his graduation from the Hartford City High School, he became a student at DePauvv University, where he remained three years. After that he taught a year in a District School, then he was Superin- tendent in the Redkey High School, then of the Montpelier Schools and then of the Warren Schools. From 1893-97 he was bookkeeper for the Dunkirk Lumber Company, from which position he was called to the Deanship of the Normal Department of Taylor University, a place he held from 1897-1902 when he became Dean of the University, this last position he has filled up to the present time except four years during which time he was Dean, Acting President, and President in Central Holiness University in Iowa. In 1910 he returned to Taylor University where besides having the duties of Dean he has been Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy. Professor Ayres received the following degrees from Taylor University : B.S., 1898; A.M.! 1900; Ph.D., 1902. Dr. Ayres is pre-eminently a teacher. To the many (through these years), who have been his students, the memory of his class room is charged with an intenseness of purpose and an earnest reaching out and up for high and noble ideals, bringing them down into the present life, living with such in mind and heart, that service true might be given to man. To remain a student under Dr. Ayres presages mental development. Students who have studied philosophy under him and later have attended one of the larger colleges of our land, have brought back the report that Dr. Ayres is a peer to any teacher. Deeply he delves, with grave deliberation, but with no uncertain tone he gives forth the hidden truth. For many years he has held the office of Dean, a difficult position, but one most ably filled as he has striven to teach the youth to make a trying question a matter of conscience. Furthermore Dr. Ayres has always had more or less to do with the business of the school and in this capacity has shown a steady hand and discreet judgment. Dr. Lyell Rader when recently asked how it happened that with so many changes, Taylor University kept its spirit throughout the years, said that Dean Ayres was the answer. The spirit of devotion and sacrifice which underneath all, is the real spirit of our school is also the foundation of our Dean ' s life, he has large faith and deep trust in God, and an open hand held out to his fellowmen. In Jan., 1922. at the resignation of Dr. Taylor, who had been president from Commencement, June, 1921, Dr. Ayres most unselfishly accepted the responsibility placed upon him by the Trustees and became Acting President. The way is sometimes dark and dreary, but when we reach Home we shall see that every experience in our mortality has but better fitted us to know the joys of our immortality. iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiBWfBnTn l