Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Q Tributes Paid to the Memory ofltussell H. Conwell Hon. Gifford H. Pinchot, Governor of the State of Pennsylvania: He was one of the leading citizens of the whole Commonwealth. His memory will be profoundly revered. y Hon.'W. Freeland Kendrick, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia: As an educator Russell H. Conwell was known everywhere. As a minister and as the author of 'Acres of Diamonds' his influence was felt in all parts of the country. Dr. Josiah H. Penniman, president of the University of Pennsylvania: Doctor Conwell's death is a great loss to our religious and educational life. He was a great figure. Temple University is a monument to his interest in young people and represents a rare personal achievement. Edward W. Bok, donor of the Philadelphia Award: I have never met a man who was so thoroughly selHess as Russell Conwell. He never had himself in mind. His thought and works were always for the institutions which he created or for the people of his parish. That made him a very diHicult man to refuse. He never asked anything of me but that I felt I should give to him as he gave to others. We speak of men being good. Doctor Conwell was really a good mang truly and thoroughly good. It is a pleasure to think that he received the Philadelphia Award, which he so fully deserved. It can be truly said of him that he advanced the truest and best interests of Philadelphia. Leopold Stokowski, conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra: I met Doctor Conwell only once or twice, but I was tremendously attracted by him because he was so human and had such a remarkable sense of humor. Bishop Joseph F. Berry, of the Methodist Episcopal Church: The entire life of Doctor Conwell was devoted to human welfare. His personal sacrifices for young -men and women who longed for education but had no money with which to procure it, and his devotion to the poor and suffering, were monumental. Dr. Laura H. Carnell, associate president of Temple University: Every human need appealed to Doctor Conwell, where there was one he believed it could be met. He never saw obstacles but believed that patience and perseverance could overcome them. He was so sure those around him could do the task he set for them that they did it. ,AX A -,A V -- 113 m3-f.i-2'.2: '3..?a'4g?' 7- -1 .-,- , -T if -si Life? I ' f jf A .ii H- -,ar A me ' --- W- r-- EEr: g C ,Ui Eleven

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a r e LT 97 who needed the same thing and if ten were found the course would be started. In this way the evening Law School was founded, and the first courses in Home Economics. The city Normal School was only training elementary teachers, soon the public schools needed Kindergartners, and teachers of Physical Training. Temple College organized classes to prepare these teachers. Then the men in the school system felt they must have their College Degrees and that they must get them outside of school hours, they appealed to Temple University when they had been refused elsewhere. Dr. Conwell retained his personal interest in every-appeal that cameg he met these men and thefirst class for teachers working for a degree was formed. Three hundred of these teachers have earned their degrees in this way. So department by department the College grew, its work became more highly organized and its name was changed to Temple University, a University that began with seven students and one class but which numbers today 10,000 students and all the departments of a great University. All through the strenuous years with all these enterprises in hand the necessity continued for Dr. Conwell to go up and down the length and breadth of our land lecturing to audiences great and small, traveling night and day that money might be forthcoming when needed to keep things going. Because of his own early struggles he was perhaps peculiarly interested in young men who wanted to make goodg he helped these young men not only in Philadelphia but all over the country. But apart from the service the money earned rendered, the lecture itself, be it Lessons of Travel, Daniel Manin, K'Garibaldi. The Silver Crown, The Angel's Lily, or Acres of Diamonds, had the fundamental theme ever the same-if a man will make the most of himself, will give his best service to others, he will serve God best and be happiest himself. One of his lectures closes with this quotation He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. As a lecturer he taught more people the great fundamental truths of life than any other man of his century. He wrote many books on many subjects. But the supreme achievement was the founding and development of Temple University. His last message was to it asking assurance that his great program for it should be car- ried out. On December 6, 1925, 'his body was taken from us, but his spirit still leads us and his beloved University will go on as a living memorial to him. . ,E is-M r j Y if Y 44 .mfifqgm-fgpiigfi ' QM ' e Ag ee -fe 1 e- e- f'f cL N Q Q Ten

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--. .- , i EL- E is 'far re ir i357 I 'M 76 To THE CLASS OF 1926: You are presently graduating from Temple University and have had a priceless privilege in coming into personal contact with one of the outstanding men of our time. We get inspiration from the lives of great men and they do remind us that we should make our lives sublime. How much more should we feel the urge of the intimate example and influence of our recently departed founder. He lived his life more selflessly and more helpfully to individual men and women than any other person of whom I know. What a heritage he has left us! Wliat a trust to fulfill! It is not merely enough that we carry on the magnificent work of Temple University but we must inaugurate and bring to fruition a forward-looking program Worthy of the master. The limitless possibilities of our institution bid us be real stewards and guardians of Temple's future. As graduates let us dedicate ourselves to this University which has so well served us. Yours sincerely, QSignedj CHARLES E. BEURY, President. J. '--H - e er 4- A-if-aa -fa ce 4 c ' '4E'e - o 1 -- A ga Twelve A