Washington and Lee University - Calyx Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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) [NOTE.— lit reply t. plans for iti future. IL ' To The Editoks of the Calyx: ' I CCEPT my appreciative tlianks for your action in dedicating to me A I your annual volume — the permanent record of student life and I thought at Washington and Lee University. This recognition of the work which has fallen to my hand and of its significance for the future pleases me as evidence that a true conception of the need of econ- omic teaching has become diffused among your undergraduate body. It is now nearly eight years since I first joined the faculty of Washing- ton and Lee University, entrusted with the duty of organizing as a separate department the instruction in economics which, from a true appreciation of its importance, had already been instituted by Dr. James A. Quarles. There are none of you, I believe, who will recall the early work of the De- partment. Three main difficulties were presented — that of enlisting stu- dent interest in a subject for the first time separately organized at Washington and Lee, that of adjusting the new courses of instruction to the needs of the students, and that of securing the inaterial resources which would ensure the maintenance of an independent department. The first two of these obstacles have been gradually overcome. That they have been surmounted at all was very largely the result of the unselfish interest and personal sacri- fices of President William L. Wilson. His permanent and never-failing desire to impress upon those with whom he came in contact the real need for economic knowledge gave vitality to the department, directed attention to its courses and furnished the inspiration and support needed in perfecting

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circuins( riliod coiloi e world for the wider activities of life, tliat tlie stii lcnt will now fully a])|)reeiate liis true worth and iiis lastinj; ' influence unoii their lives. In this class of tea -hers, Mr. Willis helonj rs. When the student leaves the shelterinir walls of Washington and Lee, and takes up the duties ami burdens of life, his estimate of Mr. Willis ' worth as a teacher and ruide grows in retrospect as the college gate recedes farther and farther from view and the possible problems of livelihood and citizenship demand solution. Mention might be made of Mr. Willis ' work as a |)ul)licist and journal- ist, for the same aims ami characteristics are apparent there as in his service as a teacher. Hut here we are concerned only with his work and influence for the students of Wasliington and Lee and for the broailcr interests of the South. Tims far his efforts have been all that could be desired. They will have a lasting value. With the further facilities made ])ossibleby the Wilson Memorial Fund, and the ])ropose l plans for extending the work and for providing a permanent home for the department of economics and politics, we may expect to see under tiie direction of Mr. Willis the scope of its influence expanded, the ideals of its founder given wider circulation, and an ever increasing numl)er of young men given a sound preparation for citizenship in a self-governing republic. W. Jf.TT Ij. UCK. W SHINGTON AND Lep: UnIVKRSITY.

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' J. i 3 its methods of itistnictioii. Tliat the work plaiiiied hy President Wilson has jiroduced fruit is, I tliiiil , attested l)y tiie ;ro vth of the (h ' partiiieiit, l)y tlie qiiaHty of its j;iaduates, and liy the recoffiiition accorded to tlieiii in dIIum- institutions. The acciuirenient of tiie necessary material foundation for tlie depart- ment has also been the ultimate product of President Wilson ' s personal interest and sacrifice. In suhscrihiiifj a fund of $100,(10(1 for the support and furtherance of its activities, iiis friends and admirers have i)aid the high- est tribute to iiis ideals by affordinfi; the means through who.se u.se they may l)e realized. The department of economies with its endowment is l)oth a menu rial and a trust — a memorial to the life of its founder — a trust for the larger development and practical application of his teachings. The needs of the University and of its stu leuts iiulicate a deman l for wider instruction in practical economic problems and for better library opportunities for broad reading and study. When new f|uarters shall have been provided, through the erection of a building in which the department and its books may be housed, and which shall furnish a place of public meet- ing and debate, thi.s broader instruction will exert its full influence in assist- ing the growtii of a l)ody of sound economic thought. To the students and their succcs.sors we mu.st look for the earnest and appreciative work that will make future progress possible. H. Paukeu Willis. I