University of North Dakota - Dacotah Yearbook (Grand Forks, ND)

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agresihentcelett frank 91. M69213 HE University of North Dakota is now entering upon the second quarter century of its existence. A new period has begun and it is during this time that the iliagniheent superstructure is to be built upon the substantial and enduring foundations laid by President Merrifield and his associ- ates. To Dr. Frank L. McVey falls the lot of directing the further building of the greater University of North Dakota. D11 McVey comes to North Dakota with a reputation for ttdoing things. An eminent scholar. he is yet the most practical of men; an educator. he is an executive able to command the cordial support of men of affairs. Although a young man of only forty years, he has a record of which any man might well be proud. Dr. MeVey was introduced to the people of North Dakota through a series of lectures delivered in Fargo last year which won for him the good will of his

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accept his resignation and that the petition requesting him to reconsider his resignation was signed by every student attending the University and every alumnus within reach. The master architect must build so that his structure can withstand the storms. He must not build upon the sands. President Merriheld's structure has braved many a storm and now rises up as the strong and substantial foundation for the splendid superstructure 0f the future Greater University of North Dakota. The fiercest gale to sweep down upon the unfinished edifice was caused by the vetoing 0f the regular appropriation in 1895. It was a time to try menis souls, but the builders did not waver. Under the master-builder, and with the assistance of various publie-spirited men, each one sacrihcing comfort and money, the little band of workmen kept on building. President Merriheld was offered the presidency of the University of Montana, and also the presidency of a well known eastern college, but he declined and remained, in order to hold his faculty together and keep the University open pending the meeting of the legislature in 18971 The I'niversity will never forget the services rendered by President Merrifield and his faculty during its hour of greatest need. President Merrifield's work is state-wide. Tn I891 he organized the movement which, in 1895. resulted in the passage of the law creatingT the State High School Board. From 1891 to 1895 he acted as volunteer ex- aminer of high schools. and from 1891 to 1897 he personally defrayed the expense of conducting the high school examinations. President Merriheld organized the annual High School Conference and has presided at every meet- ing: He rendered signal service in the work of classifying the high schools of the state. He also called the first meetingT 0f the higher education section, the college and normal section. of the State Educational Association and served as its first president. But it is as a builder of character that President Merrifield will always live in the hearts of the boys and girls of the University of North Dakota. XYhile by no means insensible 0f the duty of the University to help to prepare its students to make an honorable and sufficient living for themselves and-those dependent upon them, he has consistently devoted his best energies to helping them to build for themselves a noble and serviceable life. The great aim of his administration has been to inculcate the idea that every student and gradu- ate owes to the public a duty of service commensurate with the service which the public has rendered to himeowes more than a beggarly quid pro qua. The esteem in which President Merrifield is held in the educational world is seen in the fact that. though representing one of the smallest of the state universities. he has been invited again and again to read papers before the National Association of State Universities and three years ago was chosen as vice-president of this important organization. The esteem in which he is held in this state is evidenced by the resolutions adopted at the last session of the State Educational Association. expressing appreciation of his quarter century of faithful and efficient service in leading in the educational development of the state. But the best evidence of President Merrifield's work is seen in the respect and affection felt for him by every boy and girl who. during these many years Of foundation building. has come under his stimulating and helpful influence.

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audiences. Upon the request of Governor Burke he spoke on ttTax Commis- sions' before the joint session of the legislature last winter. The legislators were profuse in expressing their appreciation of his masterly presentation of this subject. He has also already performed excellent work for our University in his appearance before the joint committee on appropriations, last February, while the needs of the University were being discussed. He is eminently fitted, by training, to serve as president of the University. His education has been thorough and broad. The son of a scholarly Ohio judge, Dr. McVey has had the advantages of a careful home training. After finishing his elementary education in the public schools of Toledo and Des Moines, he attended Ohio Wesleyan, where he took his bachelor's degree. He secured his doctors degree at Yale University in 1895, upon completing two years of special work in the field of economics. While in college, he was in- terested in every college activity; in literary society, in athletics, in college newspaper work, in all student interests he was always considered, because he possessed convictions and had the courage to defend them. Since leaving college, Drt MeVey has had most valuable experience as an educator. As principal of the high school of Orient, Iowa; as instructor in history in Teachers College, Columbia University; as instructor. assistant pro- fessor and professor in the University of Minnesota, he has had opportunity to study education in its many phases. As a member of the staff of the University of Minnesota he has served on many important committees. including debate and oratory, curriculum, athletics. students' work, rules and regulations, and University catalogue. He is well known as a man of public affairs. In 1900 he served as special agent of the U. S. census. He was president of the Minneapolis Associated ' Charities from 1898 to 1909. In 1904 he was director of the Twin City exhibit at the W'orldys Fair, and also was appointed a member of the International Jury of Awards. He is a member of the Minnesota Auti-Tuberculosis Asso- ciation. of the executive committee of the State and also of the National Con- ference of Charities and Corrections He was the founder of the Minnesota Academy of Social Sciences, Dr. MCVey also holds the responsible position of chairman of the Minnesota Tax Commission. It is as head of this commis- sion that he is especially well known in Minnesota and in the surrounding states. His speech before the legislature at Bismarck upon lTax Commissions'l convinced that body that it was a worthy institution and the next session may see the establishment of such a commission in North Dakota. Dr. MCVey is also well known as a writer. He has already written such standard works as mllhe Populist Movement,U 1896; nThe History and Gov- ernment of Minnesota? 1901, and liModern Industrialism? In 1895 he was editorial writer for HSound Currency?! in 1898 he was editor of the proceed- ings of the Minnesota Academy of Social Sciences, and in 1907 was associate editor of the American Economic Association Bulletin. Dr. McVey has enjoyed exceptional opportunities for equipping himself for the work he is soon to assume. dPossessing experience, health, vigor. reputa- tion. and the honor and esteem of his fellows. the new president of the Uni- versity of North Dakota is a man worthv of the position. The ,10 Dacotah takes pleasure in extending to Dr. McVey its best wishes for his continued success.