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

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Silent ill the snoziilakes the building seems to stand, from Zi ' hose portals the notes of mnsie flozv, almost incessantly, during the school year.

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BURT WILMOT AYRES DePauw University, 1888-1889, A. B. Superintendent Redkey High Schools, 1889-1890; Superintendent Warren High Schools, 1892-1893; Dean Normal Department Taylor University, 1897-1902. Received from Taylor University B. S., 1898; A.M., 1900; Ph.D., 1902. A man ' s character is most evident as it appears in the lives of those who have felt its influence. An idea of the essential inner nature of the man to whom the Taylor Gem of 1925 is dedicated may be best understood by evidence gathered from north, south, east and west, offered by those who bear faithful testimony to the influence of his life as it has made its impress upon their own. Truly, our friend. Dr. Ayres, has engaged with God in the sublime task of lifting humanity higher. He stood out as one of the finest examples of practical Christianity I have ever known. Educationally there was a consistent parallel, while his intelligence was deep and strong, he was approachable, and made the interest of the student his interest. In him there was a fine combination of humility, love of justice, hon- esty, earnestness of purpose, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others. These, along with high scholarship, are combined with deep spirituality. He is a great teacher, and a true friend. May he have many more years of usefulness at Taylor, so that if Jesus tarries, we may send on our three little girls to be under his benign influence. Of all the teachers under whose influence I have come at various times there is none whom I can more feelingly eulogize than Dr. Ayres. While much of fact that I have learned from him has passed into the great body of the practically forgotten, the most important of all remains as vivid as ever — the memory of the spirit and quality of the mind that taught. One was impressed, not alone by the excellence of the product of that mind, but especially by the supreme honesty with which it functioned. To give from the breadth of his own knowledge, to lead to correct and complete thinking by the integrity of his own intellect — are not these the ultimate criteria of the highest type of teacher?