University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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MARION LE ROY BURTON PH. D., LL. D. ARION LE ROY BURTON was the titth president ot the University of Michigan. His administration, begun in 1920 and terminated by his tragic death on Febru- ary i 8, 1925, was a refreshing period ot high hopes, reawak- ened ideals, and great achieve- ment. It was Dr. Burton ' s task not only to guard and to hold, as he did, the positions won under Presidents Tappan, Haven, Angell, and Hutchins, but calmly and wisely to ap- praise the unprecedented de- mands ot the present and the tuture, to organize, and to lead the way. The results ot his leadership are with us today- a university physically rebuilt, a state intormed and eager to cooperate, a strengthened, en- larged, and better compensated faculty, and a body of students J and alumni quickened as never before by the great purposes of the University. We who knew him prized Marion LeRov Burton no less J for what he was than for what he did. We saw remarkable executive talents matched by no less unusual spiritual qual- ities, unfailing friendliness, uni- versal tairness, a fine idealism underlying all which retused to be obscured by the necessity ot dealing with material things. We knew that in the tullest possiblesensehe had given him- self to the University and to us. 4 To President Marion LeRov J Burton, then, in gratetul and sorrowful appreciation, the Senior Classes ot the University j ot Michigan dedicate this book.

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THE ORDER OF BOOKS CLASSES ATHLETICS FEATURES ACTIVITIES ORGANIZATIONS WOMEN SATIRE PAGE 17 PAGE 171 PAGE 227 PAGE 247 PAGE 309 PAGE 417 PAGE 491

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y-v ' ' RION LERO Y BU RTON was a man our generation could not well afford to lose. A forceful personality at all times, he combined with a spiritual ideal- ism a realization of the practical which made his efforts for higher things effective and abundantly fruit- ful. An exemplar of the spoken word as a means of persuasion and inspiration, he was able by his power of eloquence to bring things to pass. Of an affable, genial dispo- sition, he readily gained the con- fidence of all classes and of all ages. He imparted to those with whom he worked some portion of that enthu- siasm and energy radiating from him. He was of our most perfect type of citizenship. In youth he struggled with dauntless courage towards his ideals. A newsboy, and then a gro- cer ' s clerk, spending his spare time with books, he won a college degree at the age of twenty-six. Six years later he was graduated from Yale Divinity School with a high rank. Inside of two years he was called to the pastor- ate of the Church of the Pilgrims in Brooklyn, a pulpit made famous by the Rev. Dr. Richard Salter Storrs. From there he went to the Presidency of Smith College in Northampton. It was there I came to know and admire his abilities. As Chief Executive of the University of M inneso ta, and then of the University of Michigan from 1920 until his death a year ago, he grew in effectiveness and power of leader- ship. He consistently taught, and exemplified, that education was of value in proportion as its possessor was able to pass it on to others and to become an active force for good. He encouraged the creative mind. He was a student of politics and of government. In 1924 he achieved a longcherished ambition to take part in a national convention. That eloquent participation made me his debtor. He was constantly stressing to young people their duty to engage in po- litical affairs. And, he warned them against breaking down the lines of our great parties which he once said are essential to our national life. Taken from us in the prime of life the height of his powers it is well that the editors of the Michigan- ensian are to dedicate this year ' s volume to Marion LeRoy Burton, to the end that his life may be em- phasized as a worthy example for all young men.