University of Rhode Island - Renaissance / Grist Yearbook (Kingston, RI)

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Dr. Edwards was President of the College for 24 years. During that time almost every one of these recommendations was followed out, many of them in a manner far exceeding the hopes of their sponsors. The first change came in 1909, when the name of the College was changed to Rhode Island State College. From any point of view this was a welcome change, the old name being cumbersome, narrow in scope, and unappeal- ing to the public. Although no law was ever enacted to force the College to maintain the Carnegie stand- ard, of its own volition the College has always fulfilled this condition, and is at present con- siderably above it. One of the hardest recommendations to comply with was that pertaining to the experiment station. Offi cials and public alike had come to look upon the other branches of the College as subordinate to the experiment station, and many years were required to smooth out the jealousies and frictions which arose between the two groups. But Dr. Edwards lived to see both the Experiment Station and the Extension Service acting as highly important and useful branches of the College, and the whole organization co-operating in a smooth and harmonious manner. The College never did attempt to put evening schools into operation, because of the high expense; they did attempt a summer school in the early days, which failed, says Dr. Edwards, because of the poor condition of the roads. All the other recommendations of the commission were carried out enthusiastically and efficiently. The Military Department was expanded and organized to the point where the last years of Dr. Edwards ' administration saw the College listed annually as a Distinguished College. A closer connection was sought and gained with the state educa- tional system, and co-operation with the high schools reached the point where only a very small percentage of students were from out of state high schools. The recommended building program went slowly but steadily forward with the completion of East Hall in 1909, Ranger in 1913, and Bliss Hall, Edwards Hall, and the Gymnasium in 1928. The Quadrangle was lighted in 1922, adding greatly to the sightliness, convenience, and com- fort of us all,” and in 1928 the Alumni presented the College with a Memorial Gateway. Thus the President was able to say in his 1929 report: The College, with its fine shade-trees, its trim lawns, its impressive gateway, its nine stone buildings, efficient and dignified in line and form, its many sightly and attractive fraternity and sorority houses, has become a thing beautiful, not merely for situation and outlook over distant plains and hills toward the setting sun, but also in and for itself, and for its realization of the prophetic recommendations contained in the commission’s report. Especially, on a spring or summer evening, the green sward of Second President Kenyon L. Butterfield THE CRIST -17-

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THE CRIST

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the spacious campus, brilliantly illumi- nated by electric bulbs among the foliage of the trees; with glimpses on every side of massive shapes of stone broken by streams of light from a thousand win- dows, gives an effect of beauty and charm not unbecoming to an older seat of learning. President Edwards died April 10, 1930. Acting President Barlow said of him: The passing of this veteran leader re- moved from the field of education in our state one who had won for himself an exalted position by reason of his ripe scholarship, his fearless leadership, and singleminded devotion to the great task which was placed before him when he assumed charge of the college on July 1, 1909. . . . The college as we know it now is his accomplishment and his imperish- able monument.’ ' Dr. Edwards was buried in Fern wood Cemetery upon the close of a beautiful spring day. The arrival of Dr. Raymond G. Bressler, April 1, 193 1, as the fourth president of the College, was the start of another active and prosperous period. The first four years of his administration have seen a jump in registration from 645 to 1,096 students and from 52 to 106 faculty members. New roads have been built, the dining halls reorganized, a fine summer school operated, a new grading system intro- duced, and a placement service organized since Dr. Bressler’s arrival. Campus conditions in regard to heat and light have been improved, fields cleared for athletics, and a new fieldhouse and grandstand built. The most pronounced symbol of outward change, however, is the PWA building program. When it became known that the federal government would aid the states in their public works projects, the President campaigned tirelessly to convince the people of the College’s need for new buildings. His efforts were rewarded at election time by the approval of grants for the following projects: Home Economics Building Cafeteria Library and Administration Building Dairy Barn Women’s Dormitory Remodelled Auditorium Power Plant Fire Protection Thus the College is still growing — rapidly but soundly. Its place in the educational scheme of the state is assured; many more students apply every year for admission than the College can accommodate. Youthful enthusiasm and a growing dignity pervade the campus, and the South County hilltop which hundreds of years ago was pointed out as a beautiful spot for a unive rsity is today the setting of a beautiful and useful seat of learning. Third President Howard L. Edwards 1906-1930 THE CRIST