University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

Page 12 text:

PROF. SAMUEL McCUTCHEON BAIN, A. B. DIED JANUARY 30, 1919

Page 11 text:

1M - mgr; VTHE VOLVN T111319. m it 0 Dr. Brown Ayres, president of the University of Tennessee, died suddenly on Tuesday morning, January 28, 1919, after serving the state of Tennessee faithfully for fourteen years as the foremost man of its educational system. Dr. Ayres was born in Memphis, May 25, 1856. His higher education was acquired at Washington and Lee University; at Stevens Institute of Technology, where he received the h 1 I 3 degrees of bachelor of science in 1878 and doctor of philosophy in 1888; and at John Hopkins University. He received the honorary degree of doctor of laws from Washington and Lee University in 1904, from South Carolina College and Tulane University in 1905, and from the University of Alabama in 1906. The University of the South gave him the degree of D. C. L. in 1907. Dr. Ayres was acting president of Tulane University at the time he accepted the presidency of the University of Tennessee. At Tulane University, he served in the various capacities of professor of physics and electrical engineering, first dean of the College of Technology, Vice-Chairman of the Faculty and dean of the Academic Colleges, and lastly as Acting President. He had refused calls to the Univer- sity of Tennessee upon previous occasions, but in 1904 accepted the presidency as successor of Dr. Charles Dabney. Since then he has rendered invaluable service to the state of Tennessee, devoting his splendid ability and untiring energy to the upbuilding of the Univer- sity. His achievements are too numerous for complete enumeration. It was through his efforts that all sections of the state are represented in the board of trustees, thus equalizing control of the University and making it the unquestioned property of the entire state. Such buildings as Morrill Hall and Carnegie Library stand as monuments to his industry. Estabrook Hall benefitted greatly by his improve- ments, While the Cherokee farm and the million-dollar appropriation were secured largely through the solicitations of Dr. Ayres. As We read of the improvements Dr. Ayres effected, we are led to reiiect upon the great capacity and ability of the man himself. His scientific knowledge gave him rank among American educators. He was in full command of broad culture and scholarship as well as in possession of that executive talent which made him so successful as a University president. He was unusually well developed in both spiritual and intellectual spheres, being a man of keen artistic per- ception and appreciation and of sane philosophic convictions, such as higher intelligence requires for harmonious completion. We forcibly perceive the magnitude of the place he filled, and realize more than ever the thinness of the ranks in which he moved. To a large extent, Dr. Ayres was responsible for the national ranking of the University. By strictness of scholastic requirements and wise selection of pro- fessors of erudition and ability, he brought the University to eastern college standards. Iii his inaugural address he said, ttAmid the rushing memories of the past the great names of his tthe president,s1 predecessors rise before the mental vision, and one unconsciously measures the new man by the standard that is thus set. Has not our last president materially raised this standard, and has he not shown us of what calibre a University president should be made? We congratulate ourselves that such a man has spent his best energy in our behalf, ' , and we are deeply grateful for the service he has rendered us. Our earnest Wish is that we may never prove unworthy of those services. m -N METEEN - N INETEEN'

Page 13 text:

m $ TH E VOLVN TEE I9 . lax: 5.15M be Professor Samuel McCutcheon Bain, professor of Botany in the College of Agriculture, died suddenly at his home on Thursday even- ing, January 301, 1919. Prof. Bain was a native of Middle Tennessee, coming to Knoxville in 1893 as associate professor of botany, being promoted to head professor the following year. He had been in the service of the University experimental station longer than any other man. His research work was especially valuable as well as his scientific instruction. He developed a special variety of red clover resistant to an unknown disease then attacking the crop throughout Tennessee. Trice cotton, adapted to growth in the uplands of Tennes- see, was discovered by him. Furthermore, he contributed valuable studies of grasses and forage crops to the Department of Agriculture. Prof. Bain was particularly interested in color photographs of Appa- lachian flora. The personality of this professor will long be remembered among us. He was especially genial, interesting, and lovable. Devoted to his science, he implanted interest and devotion in his students, causing a keener zest for study among them and making them feel in a degree his own love of the subject. The nature-world has lost one of its most sympathetic interpreters, while the human circle in which he moved feels deeply the absence of his lovable personality. His qualities were such that his infiuence is permanently established among us. ! C ngprit 'N INETE EN s N IN ETEEN'