Vanderbilt University - Commodore Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

Page 18 text:

Vanderbiltis Semi-Centennial Celebration 1875-1925 By G. R. M. WO score and ten years ago Vanderbilt University first saw the light of day. From its very beginning this new institution took a place of leadership among southern schools and was the peer of many of the older universities of the North. This position of leadership was due to its large cash endowment and to the vision of its founders. With this endowment, the best scholars and teachers of the country were brought to Nashville, this splendid faculty drew to the new school the highest type of student life, and among these students could be developed the finest ideals of scholar- ship, of honor, and of character. These alumni went out to all parts of the South and to the ends of the earth, carrying with them the traditions of Vanderbilt and sending back to their Alma Mater' the young men of their various communities. The result was inevitable-Vanderbilt has grown from one building to nearly a scoreg from a faculty of scarcely 20 men to its present two hundred and more, from a student body of 300 to 1,5003 and its history during the past Hfty years under the leadership of Chancellor Garland and Chancellor Kirkland forms one of the most inspiring chapters in educa- tional development. It was highly fitting, therefore, that some worthy celebration should be held in honor of this half century of achievement. Q THE PLANS Three years ahead ofthe Semi-Centennial Year, plans were laid for this event. The Chancellor called on the Faculty, the Board of Trust, and the friends of the institution to join with him in mak- ing the occasion a golden anniversary in the intellectual life of the South. Committees were ap- pointed to formulate the program and secure speakers, to send out invitations to sister institutions in all parts of the world, to make all arrangements, locally, for the reception of our guests and to see that no detail was overlooked which would insure the success of the celebration. Through the Vanderbilt Alumnus, and the public pressg through letters and announcements sent to graduates and former studentsg through meetings of Alumni in all parts of the country, and in a radio address given by the Chancellor the message was sent to all Vanderbilt sons and daughters, telling them to come home for this glad occasion. So well were the plans laid, so emcient was the work of the committees, and so perfect was the carrying out of the whole program that our speakers and delegates pronounced this affair the most delightful one they had ever attended. ' '