University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 17 text:

enpon Eeccf) J utterfielb Prcsiibent iSlasiEfactjuscttg Agricultural College 1906=1924 IN June, 1924, Kenyon L. Butterfield laid down the task of administering the Massachusetts Agricultural College and accepted the presidency of the Michi- gan Agricultural College, his Alma Mater. He came to Massachusetts at the age of thirty-eight, then one of the younger college presidents in the country; he served this institution for eighteen years, and left only to undertake a no less difficult problem of constructive administration in education. In 1906 M. A. C. was doubtless on the eve of an era of expansion, as were nearly all agricultural colleges of the country; but who can say what the history of this institution would have been had the Trustees, following President Good- ell ' s death, selected a man of narrower vision or of less administrative ability for this important position. President Butterfield entered upon his service with the clearly defined and openly avowed purpose of developing a high grade agricultural college; an insti- tution which should study the fundamental sciences underlying the agrioiltural industry; which should educate leaders in the various agricultural professions as well as train skillful farmers; which should disseminate information concerning agriculture and the farm home to the thousands of people of the State who could not attend the College for resident instruction. Thus the work of agricultural research in all its phases was encouraged by President Butterfield. The curriculum of the four-year course was broadened and enrichened; graduate courses were organized; short courses were developed for those unable to pursue a four-year course ; and a comprehensive system of ex- tension service was developed. His administration was characterized by a broad understanding of the prob- lem of agriculture in all its phases; a rare capacity in the organization of projects and forces; and ability to discover and enlist capable associates for the work to be accomplished and to inspire their best efforts and cooperation in its successful attainment. His interest centered chiefly in the individual. He cared most for the welfare of the student, the teacher or the worker on the staff, the man or woman, the boy or girl on the farm. All his plans for the College and for rural betterment were with the one purpose of making conditions better for the individual. But his interest, his activities and his reputation were not bounded by the College or by the State of Massachusetts. For twenty-five years he was recog- nized as one of the outstanding leaders and prophets in the field of rural affairs. He was one of the first to advocate and plan for a nation wide system of Extension Service; he was one of the first to see the problem of the famer as one not pri- marily of production but as one of distribution. Moreover, he constantly stressed 13

Page 16 text:

cnpon %ttt ) putterfielb

Page 18 text:

the fact that the rural problem is essentially a human problem and that the social conditions of the rural people are a significant and important factor. In recent years he defined the scope of the agricultural colleges as embracing the entire field of food supply, including production, distribution, consumption and preser- vation. His forward look and his able leadership early made him not only a national but an international figure. In 1908 he served as a representative of the State of Mas.sachusetts to the White House conference in Washington to consider the problem of national conservation. In 1908 also he was appointed by President . Roosevelt as a member of the Country Life Commission. Associated v ith him were Gifford Pinchot, Liberty Hyde Bailey, the late Walter Hines Page, the late Henry Wallace, Charles S. Barrett and W. A. Beard. The observations and sub- sequent report of this Commission accomplished two significant results; one was the universal acknowledgment that farming is a basic industry and as such is a dignified calling, worthy of adecjuate support and respect. A second was the emphasis on the fact that economic prosperity alone is not a sufficient foundation upon which to build a permanent agriculture. In 1913 Woodrow Wilson appointed President Butterfield as a member of the American Commission on Rural Credits which spent four months in Europe making a careful study of agricultural credit and cooperation. In 1918 President Butterfield was selected by the International Y. M. C. A. to take charge of the organization of vocational education among the overseas soldiers. In 1921 a commission was organized to visit China for the purpose of studying her educa- tional needs and reporting a desirable educational program for that vast Empire. President Butterfield .served on this Commission as the expert in vocational edu- cation. We are now too close to the administration of tiiis great leader to be able adecjuately to evaluate his service to the college or to society. Future historians will accord him his permanent place in the development of American life. But without hestiation, we may characterize President Butterfield as a man of wide vision and of able leadership; a wise administrator and builder; a man of rare personal charm with firm moral convictions and high ideals; a champion of the individual, and an advocate of all good causes. RALPH J. WATTS. 14