University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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,The problems which confronted Acting President .Judson were many and difficult. To fill the place vacated by William Rainey Harper, acknowl- edged one of the greatest educators that ever lived,was a great undertaking. As Doctor Judson was merely Acting President, he was not free to formulate his own policy, his duty was to conduct the University according to President Harper's plans, a task much more diffi- cult than carrying out one's own ideas. Added to this hindrance, the annual financial appropriation was decreased and the new executive was forced to economize in all departments. The loss of President Harper had a deadening effect on the University and placed the institution in a condition of uncertainty. Nobody knew what was to follow, the presidency and the future policy and success of the University were in doubt. The usual gifts to the University were not forthcoming, pending defi- nite action by the Board of Trustees. On every hand the administration was forced to contend with this feeling of uncertainty. It was under these circumstances that Acting President Judson had to work to prove his efficiency for the ofiice of President. As a first open recognition of his fitness for the position, Doctor Judson was elected on December first to the General Education Board to succeed President Harper. On .January second Mr. Rockefeller's gift of 953,000,000 to the University was significant of the confidence placed by the founder in Acting President Judson. On January fourteenth the Acting Presidentfs report showed that the University had been carried through a successful year. Student recognition of the successful administration was made in an enthusiastic reception to Doctor and Mrs. Judson in the Reynolds Club on February eleventh. Satisfaction with Acting President Jud- son's Work had now been expressed on all sides, by other university presidents, by the University faculty, by the University's founder and by the students. The way had been paved, and on February twentieth the Board of Trustees, by unanimous vote, made Harry Pratt Judson President of the University. Congratulations and letters and telegrams of appreciation poured in from all parts of the country expressing approval of the action of the Board. The stu- dents manifested their appreciation of the Board's choice for President by marching en masse to the President's office the next morning and giving the new executive a rousing welcome with yells and cheers. At the Senior Promenade in the gym- nasium that evening the new President was given another student ovation. As President and Mrs. Judson appeared on the balcony the dancers forgot the formal- ities of the occasion and indulged in a lusty cheering fest to show the President 16

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Uhr 'iilvrtinn nf the Elgrvzihrnt ARRY PRATT JUDSON has earned his position as President of the Univer- sity of Chicago by faithful and constant service to the University ever since its founding and by his particularly efli- cient administration during the long illness of President Harper and during the year since the President's death. President Judson has brought the Uni- versity successfully through a trying period. Two years in this difficult position,fuliilling the duties of President of a great university under extreme disadvantages, he has shown his Worth and triumphed. During the last year of Doctor Harper's life the Presidents illness made it necessary for Doctor Judson, then Dean of the Faculties of Arts, Literature and Science, to assume intermittently the reins of administration and perform the duties of President. On the death of President Harper the work devolved entirely upon Dean Judson. His efficiency during the past year was beyond question, and accordingly, on January fifteenth, he was recommended by the Trustees' Com- mittee on Instruction and Equipment, as Acting President of the University. On the following day at a meeting of the Board of Trustees, Dean Judson was by unanimous vote elected Acting President. 15

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what they thought of the choice of the Board of Trustees. In connection with the Winter Quarter Convocation the President's reception was held and was attended by an exceptionally large number of students, faculty members and friends of the President. All that remained now was the formal inauguration, which was included in the regular Convocation exercises on March nineteenth. The installation cere- mony was simple, consisting of the formal announcement of Mr. Martin A. Ryer- son, President of the Board of Trustees, and a formal acceptance by President Judson. With these and the addresses by President Ryerson and President MacLean of the University of Iowa, the Convocation Orator, in which a great future for the University under the guidance of President Judson was predicted, a long and victorious conquest against overwhelming odds was completed. Doctor Judson had led the University through the most critical period of her existence, he had led her through safely and successfully 5 he had proven his efficiency, and had been rewarded with the Presidency of the University. l7