Wabash College - Wabash Yearbook (Crawfordsville, IN)

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Prc,s'irIent Trippet iuelconies' frcslzmun john Stricklmirl to lV11ba.s-11. It is not our purpose to reiterate the Various laudatory remarks made about Dr. Trippet, but rather inter-relate the man and the school at a turning point in the history of Wabash. The VVabash community is now in the process of re-evaluating and restating its hopes and aspirations. It finds a succinct spokesman in the person of Dr. Trippet, embodying as he does the attitudes which have made the liberal arts college a valuable part of the American educational tradition. YVhile aware of the various claims about success in business and leadership of a free society, Dr. Trippet feels that the greatest benefit of a liberal education is to be found in the contribution which it can make to the growth of an individual as a human being? The knowledge of self and mankind which can be gained in this manner is of an infinite value. Bearing this in mind, Dr. Trippet is firmly convinced that the liberal arts college need not fear for its future despite the trend to increased specialization and Vocational ed- ucation. Nloreover, he does not regard science as the enemy of liberal arts, pointing out that here at XVabash the natural and physical sei- ences are an integral part of the modern edu- cation. A vital part of the changing attitude at XVabash is the new iinagev to which Dr. Trippet made reference in a trilogy of chapel talks in l95!-J. Commenting on the fact that VVabash has always enjoyed a good academic standing, hc nevertheless recognizes that out- side the Middle West this reputation has been l'11'ffclV confined to the academic world. The ' n . 'Knew imagev will establish W'abash as an in- stitution of national stature while preserving its unique qualities. VVith diligent and unre- laxed efforts on the part of administration, Page Si,-

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fwsw, my ,xg 55 fr Preseirierzt Trippvt, Dr. Ludwig Erlmzf, CJCIIIIIUI ,Vinistcr of Ecmumzics, and lingerie N. Beml1'gf enter the Clmpci before the 1959 Comnierzeenirwzf. President ln 1934, a young iuan returned to XVabash after three years spent in England under the auspices of a Rhodes Scholarship. Thus it was that Byron Trippet, having earned his master's degree in England, returned to his ahna mater as Mr. Byron Trippet, instructor in history. In 1939, this young history instructor began assisting the then Dean of the College, Dr. George Kendall. XVhen advancing age and a desire to devote more time to study led Dr. Kendall to resign his adniinistrative duties in 1941. his assistant hecaine dean. Thus it was that Mr. Byron Trippet hccaine Dean Byron Trippet. l'l'r'si1l1'nt find Mrs. liyrmi Kiglzfly Trippel Page Trippet In 1956, Frank Sparks, President of XVahash College for the past 14 years, resigned his post. The man who, for the last 15 years had adinirably filled the office of Dean was select- ed to replace Dr. Sparks. Thus it was that Dean Byron Trippet hecaine Dr. Byron Trip- pet, the President of NVahash. Byron Trippet. now ending his fourth year as president of XYillJilSll, is the only leader which the present student hody has known. Nor is it likely that the KVahash conuuuuity would want another man in the office which Dr. Trippet fills with such distinction. I'1il7I'

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' ls I M.. ,., . W. isf Pros-ident Trippet chats with Dr. Butterfelzl, during his 1958 visit, 7 faculty, alumni, and friends, Dr. Trippet is convinced that this goal could easilv be realized by 1970. lt is with this goal in mind that Dr. Trippet will guide XVabash through the crucial years which lie ahead and which will mark a cross- roads in the history of the college. These plans, first and foremost, restate the XVabash ideals of remaining a small, independent, lib- eral arts college for men. However, the Board of Trustees have proposed many changes for the college. Although the college will retain much of its present character, definite plans include an increase of enrollment as well as an extensive building program. The most important feature of this new lookv will be the tripling of the endowinent fund. This will provide for sub- stantial increases in faeultv salaries as wt-Il on this front steps of 2 .Wills lhlee. as a building program which will include new class buildings, recreational facilities .a thea- tre, and improved housing. The changes which will be brought about as a result of this new policy will rest a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of President Trippet. This is a time for vigorous action on the part of the VVabash community. lt seems un- iquely fitting that Byron Kightly Trippet should stand at the helm of his alma mater during this period. The leadership he pro- vides, the inspiration he gives to the student body, the good-will he is daily gaining for Wfabash-all make him an excellent represent- ative of the ideals and qualities of VVabash. The faith which he displays in the liberal arts tradition and VVabash as a preserver of that tradition can only increase the stature of hVitlDllSll and the man to whom it means so much. Page Seven