Vanderbilt University - Commodore Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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THE PROGRAM A study of the program of speeches reveals a rare combination of theory and practiceg of progress and conservationg of the sciences and the humanities. EducationH was the general theme running through all the sessions and nearly every phase of the topic was handled by accepted masters in their respective fields. Higher Education in the South With the major part played by Vanderbilt in these past fifty yearsg the eternal conflict between the practical and the cultural view of education with some of the problems that arise in dealing with studentsg the new conception of medical trainingg the part that education plays in making democrary safe for the worldg the value of our universities in training leaders for world service and some of the outstanding problems that have arisen in the administration of large modern institutions of learningg and the part that the press must have in making known to all the world the secrets revealed by research and investigation in our seminars and laboratories. There was not a topic or a speaker which did not command the attention of all delegates, alumni and citizens who could attend this intellectual feast of good things. In addition to this program of discussion, there was a pageant given under the auspices of the Alumnae Association to illustrate education among the nations from the earliest times to the present day. There was the academic procession from the State Capitol to the State Memorial building, a living pageant of color and dignity, which was followed by the presentation of the three hundred delegates to the Chancellorg there was the dedication of the wonderful Medical Buildings in which the most eminent men of this profession took partg there was the dedication of the new Alumni Memorial Build- ing by distinguished Alumni, by Major-General Bullard and the French Ambassador, Emil Daeschnerg and on the final day, the dedication of the Neely Memorial Chapel with an overliowing audience to hear the universal message spoken by Dr. Cadman. Not the least on the program was the reunion of the Alumni which was scheduled for all three days but reached its culmination on Saturday morning. Every class was represented from the foundation

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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. ' '

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N W if ., . :'i?'-1 . of the University to the present time and in nearly all departments for these many years. Meri met for the first time since their graduation many decades backg and among them were the most distin- guished names in all Walks of modern life. These alumni are a living proof of Vanderbilt's contribu- tion to the making of America. After the luncheon in their honor, a procession was formed beginning with the class of '75, which moved down West End Avenue to the new Stadium Where Vanderbiltls football team lived up to its traditions of leadership in hard, clean, Winning sport. THE PERSONAGES It is an unquestioned fact that the greatness Of any event may be measured by the persons who take part therein. judged by this standard, the recent Semi-Centennial takes first rank among all the educational meetings ever held in the South and is hardly surpassed by any meeting ever held in the United States. Une hundred college presidents came to pay their tribute of respect to Chancellor Kirkland and to the institution over Which he has presided some thirty-three years. The executive heads of great educational boards Were here to join in this tribute and to help make the program completeg delegates from 300 schools and learned societies in different parts of the globe lent their presence to the colorful ceremonies of Friday, October 16, at the State Memo1'ial Building. About five hun- dred of the 15,000 Alumni came back to renew the olden days and among them were prominent dig- nitaries in church and state. It is an inspiring memory to look back over the record of those three days in mid-October and simply read the names of those present. Any one of a full dozen names would have lent dignity to the usual Semi-Centennial exercises. But to have a whole galaxy made up of stars of the first magnitude in the intellectual world was a matter of astonishment to all who attended the celebration. And just as Wonderful is the fact that every speaker met his engagement and every event took place exactly as scheduled many months before. Since the entire list of speakers can not be given here, it is Well to mention some of the distinguished persons who had a place on the program: