Tufts University - Jumbo Yearbook (Medford, MA)

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Charles E. Stearns Within the Tufts community, Charles E. Stearns fills the double role of administrator and academic scholar. As Acting Provost, a position opened when Leonard C. Mead be¬ came Acting President this year, Dr. Stearns administrates the academic responsibilities of the University. As Professor in the Geol¬ ogy Department, he is able to manifest his dual delectation of teaching and doing re¬ search on the Pleistocene Epoch. Dr. Stearns’ combination of timely wry humor and intensive demand for excellence makes him an especially well adapted man for each of his chosen functions. After having graduated from Tufts in 1939 with a degree in Geology, after studying at the California Institute of Technology for one year, Dr. Stearns entered the Navy as an interpreter. He then returned to the aca¬ demic world, simultaneously as a Doctoral candidate at Harvard, and as an instructor in Geology at Tufts. Upon receiving his Ph. D. he taught at Harvard until 1954. It was during this period that Professor Stearns made his first extended geological research trip, to the Mediterranean beaches of Tunisia. His incumbency at Tufts as the Dean of Liberal Arts from 1954 until Sep¬ tember 1966 was noteworthy especially to the students who have received his firm and warmly inspired guidance and and to those asking acceptance of their little pink slips. Since his first excursion abroad, Dr. Stearns has returned to the classical geologi¬ cal research areas of Spain, Morocco, France and Italy, under the auspices of numerous scientific and federal grants. His most recent expedition was to Italy, with the noted Lamont Geological Laboratory staff, ac¬ companied by archeologists. He employed isotope age measuring techniques, assisting in the accurate dating of the Pleistocene Epoch, which is generally considered to be the period of man’s evolutionary progression from apeman to the present relative stature. His concentration on the beaches of Medi¬ terranean Europe is due to the primary ap¬ plicability of isotope dating to marine fossils, which Dr. Stearns explains were not marine fossils during the age of extended glacial advances. Whenever the occasion presents itself, he and his family retreat to New Mexico where the deep and often abandoned mines afford opportunities to dig into more of man’s past. Acting Provost Stearns’ philosophy is based on the concept that academic admini-

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housing, which seems to be the main offshoot of this conflict between Jackson and the Administration, will not be resolved until the Jackson Self Study Committee submits its final report in the spring. The enforced dormitory living regulations for Jackson students are an integral part of a “residential college” and unless strong reason for change can be brought forth, the situation will remain static. Concerning the faculty, Dr. Mead says, “By definition they are the enemy but hope¬ fully a friendly enemy.” There has been much discussion this year by the faculty concerning their lack of participation in administrative decision making. Concerning this lack of communication, Dr. Mead says, “they always complain.” But hopefully this statement is in jest, and new steps will be taken to open a dialogue among the faculty and the administration. The problem of vision and insight lies with both the students and the administra¬ tion. Certainly in this complex society dis¬ cipline is needed, but the opportunity for growth should never be hindered. Mead has tried to balance student freedom against student responsibility and in some cases has done well. The new rule changes taking place at Jackson are a good example, but on the other hand, the theft of the pool balls from the newly opened Student Union showed an extreme lack of maturity and discipline among the students and as a result the Union was closed down. As Dr. Mead states it, “We want to give the students responsible independence.” Concerning the Alumni Funding Drive, Dr. Mead says, “We have to put the finger on the Alumni more intentionally, through active Alumni participation and face to face soliciting.” The lack of money at Tufts is the major stumbling block to an increase in the facilities. The proposed Behavioral Research Building and the Athletic Complex complete with hockey rink are just two examples of ideas which must remain dormant until more money can be raised both by Alumni and by foundation grants. The athletic facilities at Tufts are “not great, but then, we do intend to do better.” The other long range programs which are in the process of being investigated could all be instituted for about 100 million dollars. However, until we have this kind of money, Tufts will have to be content with its present plant, no mean accomplishment, as over 20 million dollars worth of improve¬ ments and new buildings have been achieved in the last five years, while maintaining the present size of the student body. Leonard Mead, both as Vice-President and, now, as Acting President has helped to bring this growth about. He has been dynamic, out¬ spoken, and above all honest on all issues, and it is to this kind of leadership that Tufts should aspire. Dr. Mead greets the incoming freshmen during their first hectic days on the Hill. “The aim of the University should be toward the preservation, trans¬ mission and creation of information.”

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stration must effectively provide the neces¬ sary service which makes the function of education possible. This by nature must in¬ clude both the maintenance of a faculty embodying outstanding academic attributes and a student body of commensurate po¬ tential. It is of the essence that professional administrators of proven quality, and stimu¬ lating personable teachers, capable of vigor¬ ous research should form the rudiments of a Tufts education. Such problems as faculty tenure lie within the administration of the Provost, though Provost Stearns emphasizes that decisions are a result of close and ex¬ tensive faculty cooperation. Basically, Dr. Stearns views the Provost’s responsibility as one of maintaining the continual smooth running of the University’s academic func¬ tion. Acting Provost Stearns’ engaging nature has left its unmistakeable impression on the numerous facets of this University which he has seen expand in almost every sense. Perhaps his ubiquitous bow-tied presence best distinguishes his manifold contributions to Tufts. It takes a dedicated educator to share as much of himself and his unique talents as Charles E. Stearns has shared with us. 11