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

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INAUGURATION From Ida Noves Hall, at eleven o ' clock on Tuesday, November 19, a stately procession marched to the University Chapel. Members of the Faculties of the University and of the Board of Trustees, delegates from almost two hundred universities and colleges, one hundred and six of these being presidents, representa- tives of public and private schools, of alumni clubs, of students of the University, of educational boards, foundations, and learned societies, and a group of special guests, these formed the long line of men and women. There were Protestants and Catholics and Mormons. There were Europeans, Americans, Asiatics, called from the four quarters of the country and from our island possessions. The chapel seats practically two thousand persons and almost everv seat was taken (hundreds of other would-be spectators crowding the neighboring streets eager to enter) when the services began with the announcement by Harold H. Swift, president of the Board of Trustees, who presided, that the invocation prayer would be offered by Dean Gilkey. It was a prayer that breathed the spirit and aspiration of the whole ceremony. President James Rowland Angell, representing the eastern universities. Presi- dent David Kinley, representing the state universities. President Walter Dill Scott, representing the neighborhood institutions, assisted in assuring President HutclVms (if the siiiccritv (if everybody ' s wishes for his success. President Hutchins was formally inducted into the office of President, as the marshal escorted him to the President ' s chair, and then Mr. Swift announced to the assemblage that Robert Mavnard Hutchins had become the fifth President. President Hutchins gave his inaugural address after this, in which he recalled the excellent educational accomplishments of past years, and the importance of the position which the undergraduates occupy, and lie spoke of the need of the I ' niversity for more first-rate men on its faculty. i o one who participated in the ceremonies attendant upon the inauguration can forget the delightful and dramatic occasion when the young President, him- self a President but a few minutes, conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon Martin Antoine Ryerson, his white-haired father, for years a teacher and a college president. It was touching that the son ' s voice faltered as he spoke the significant words bestowing the degree. I ' agr- I

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PRESIDENT HIJTCHINS We know that Chicago ' s position in the community depends upon her ability to produce leaders in the life of the community, and we know, too, that in an age as complicated as ours, leaders may require brains as much as brawn. It is a fallacy to assume that only the stupid can be stalwart and that high intelligence means low vitality. The University of Chicago wishes to train men to understand, to effect new combinations in old material, to exercise creative imagination, in a word, to think. Everything else is subordi nate to this aim. Everything that contributes to it contributes to the University ' s success. Robert Maynard Hutchins J J WWW WJ K

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r i r ( r QfMp(fjk cap and cown i M M INAUGURATION The day following the formal inauguration of President Robert Maynard Hutchins, November 20, the campus had the first opportunity of meeting its new leader fully invested in his new capacity. Eleven o ' clock classes were dis- missed to permit two thousand students to assemble in the chapel and hear Presi- dent Hutchins address them. The address included a brief outline of the aims and purposes of the new president, which have subsequently passed from the hypothetical stage into actuality. Intellectual freedcm, selection of scholars en the basis of interest, intelligence, rather than mere accumulation of credits, creation of an opportunity for financially restricted students .to enter the quadrangles, and a curriculum adjustable to the needs cf every student, formed the nucleus of the program advocated so that we may be blessedly free of that traditional American student who takes one bath, studies cne lessen, and thinks cne thought a week. Four student speakers, Lcuis Engel, Marcella Kcerber, Robert Tieken, and W. Brooks Steen welcomed the new president en behalf of the student body. Six other students, Susan Akers representi ng the Library School, Robert Suther- land, the Divinity school, Marion Lewis, Political Science, John Mills, physics, and irginia Pope and Paul Brady participated in the ceremonies. The student day climaxed the inauguration ceremonies of the University ' s fifth president in whose honor all the academic pageanty of America was assembled on the quadrangles, shifting the educational capital of the nation to Chicago for the dav. Page JO