University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Yackety Yack Yearbook (Chapel Hill, NC)

Page 30 text:

eDWIN ANDERSON ALDERMAN was born in Wilmington, N. C, May 15, 1 86 1. He was prepared for college at the Bethel Military Academy, near Warrenton, Va., and in 1878 entered the University of North Carolina. His college career foreshadowed a successful life work ; he was a leader in every phase of University life, and on graduation, besides receiving special honors in English Literature and Latin, won the Willie P. Mangum Medal for Oratory. On leaving college he immediately entered on his chosen work of educa- tion, being elected principal of the Goldsboro High School. In 1885 he assumed the superintendency of the Goldsboro Graded School, which by skill- ful organization he made prominent among North Carolina ' s public schools. From 1S85 to 18S7 he held the honorable position of president of the North Carolina Teachers ' Assembly. In 1889, as State Institute Conductor he began a three years ' canvass of the State, that resulted in untold good to the cause of education. His brilliant oratory, zeal, and intense earnestness drew large audiences, composed of all classes and conditions of people, and brought as a reward a great educational awakening from one end of the State to the other. In [892-3 he occupied the Chair of History and Literature at the State Normal and Industrial School, which he had done so much to establish, but resigned at the end of the year to accept the Chair of Pedagogy at the Uni- versity of North Carolina. His work in this capacity proved him a teacher of preeminent ability, and his course became at once one of the most popular and important in the curriculum. While occupying this position the task of organizing the University Sum- mer School was imposed upon him. So successful was he in this undertaking that the school is now one of the best of its kind in the whole country, and has made for itself a distinctive place among the State ' s educational institu- tions. In 1S96, the president ' s chair being vacated by Dr. Winston, the trustees unanimously elected him to the presidency of the University. Thechoice gave great satisfaction to all sections, parties and professions throughout the State. 24

Page 29 text:

EDWIN ANDERSON ALDERMAN.

Page 31 text:

Soon after his election the honorary degree of Doctor of Common Law was conferred on him by the University of the South. Dr. Alderman has been at the head of the University now for one year. During this time the same vigor in administration and skill in organization that characterized his previous work have been evident ; while his uniform frankness and fairness in all matters of discipline have made him honored and respected by all the students. Among the great educators of the country Dr. Alderman is not without honor. At the great national educational gatherings he has represented his State and the South with great power. His speeches are masterpieces in thought and eloquence. He is an honorary member of the Maryland Histori- cal Society and member of the National Education Association ; author of the Life of Wm. Hooper, and A Brief History of North Carolina. 25