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

Page 11 text:

Announcement of the appointment of the seventh BXCGU- tive of the University of Chicago was made by Gien A. Lloyd, chairman of the Board of Trustees. The new chan- cellor, George Wells Beadle, formerly acting dean of the faculty and chairman of the division of biology at the California Institute of Technology, comes to the Univer- sity of Chicago with a background in science and ad- ministration, and With numerous honors for scientific achievement. Chancellor Beadle was awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1958 for his work in the held of genetics and heredity, and holds the Albert Einstein Com- memorative Award i19581, and the Emil Christian Han- sen Prize of Denmark K1953i. Honorary degrees have been presented to the new chancellor by Yale, University of Nebraska, iNioIthwestern7 and Oxford and Birmingham in England, and he has served on the faculties of Stanford, Harvard, Cornell, and California Institute of Tectmology. In the words of Lloyri, these Positions have given Beadle g6wide experience in the academic life of the countryii and this experience, combined with Beadleis participation in the Committee of National Goals and the Presidenfs Sci- ence Advisory Committee, Hindicates his ability to give direction to the use of the Universityis resources for the benefit of the nation? To benefit that nation anti the worlti, Chanceilor Beariie feels the cigeneral level of education will have :9 be raised on a world-wide basis. Says Beadle: mMan's evolutionary future, biologically and culturally, is unlimited. But far more important, it lies within his own power to determine its direction. This is a challenge and an opportunity never before Presented to any species on earth? He continues: :iBut knowledge alone is not SHELCiCIlt. To carry the human species on to a future of biological and cultural freedom, knowledge must be accompanied by collective wisdom and courage of an order not yet demonstrated by any so- ciety of men. And beyond knowledge, wisdom, and cour- age, faith, too, will be essential. Man must have faith in himself. He must have faith in the tightness and goodness of his goals. And many would add that he must continue to have spiritual faith? In a statement made by Beadie concerning his Univer- sity of Chicago appointment and his departure from Cali- fornia Institute of Technology, the new chancellor said: i:Cliicag0 is a great institution, too, one with a long his- tory educational leadership. Its future is exciting to con- template and I am looking forward with enthusiasm to making whatever contribution I can.

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ADMINISTRATION R. Wendell Harrison, Acting Chancellor of the Univer- sity, considers education to be an uindividual process in which knowledge and training are acquiredeknowledge of the past and of contemporary times and forces, and training in specialized fields and in methods. In addition, education must Open the mind to exploration? In his convocation speech, Harrison stated: uWe must know where or when and how to seekewe must know what we are seeking? For the Universitt of Chicago to remain great. Harrison feels the University must attract to its hails ancl labora- tories men and women who are genuinely interested in the betterment of man, in the extension of knowledge and in making known the unknown?, A similar responsibility must be met by the University alltis responsibility being the return to the principle 01' quality in education. Scientist and administrator Harrison sees the Univer- sity of Chicago headed toward a period in which there will be ugreat surges of productivity and stimulating enthu- siasm? The foundation for this move forward has been made, he feels, in the past decade when the University has recognized educational accomplishments of many kinds. This basis will continue to be strengthened as the growth continues through uretoolingiiethe process of re- development and expansion at the University of Chicago caused by new leaders, new discoveries, and unmet chal- lenges.

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Dean Alan Simpson, in speaking of the new College, considers two major changes in the philosophy of under- graduate education to be basic to the theme of balancee ttthe keynote of the New College?1 According to Simpson, the new College, in re-organiz- ing the Program of general education, seeks to maintain a high level of general knowledge while allowing the under- graduate freedom to choose electives and greater oppor- tunity to undertake specialized courses. This flexible ap- proach was adapted a year and a half ago as a major step in reevaluation of the University of Chicago system of liberal education. The seconti distinguishing feature of the new College is its undergraduate faculty, says Dean Simpson. A college within a great research community is ideal in its oppor- tunity, yet is frustrated in realizing its potential by the reluctance of the faculty to devote their time to undergrad- uate instruction. An independent college faculty has been created which represents the departmental and teaching interests of its members. This tthappy mediumH in the new College faculty was reached after experimentation with two extremes in undergraduate education, the first of which was departmental sovereignty and the second of which centralized the thoughts of the college instructor on his undergraduates. Balance has been sought on all levels in the college: according to Simpson, who regards the new College sill- dent body as representative of various interests as well as of high capacity.