West Virginia University - Monticola Yearbook (Morgantown, WV)

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OF WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

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V V Cii[[ V To M. L. Benedum, a great American whose contributions to the material, cultural and spir- itual advancement of the Nation have brought honor and credit to his native State of West Virginia, the 1941 Montlcola Is dedicated as a further expression of West Virginia Univer- sity ' s appreciation of him and his achievements. Born In Bridgeport, Harrison County, In 1869, his life span has been virtually contemporane- ous with that of the University, which was founded just two years earlier. Equipped with only such limited education as was afforded by the public schools of that day, Mr. Benedum, In a half century devoted to the oil business, has created untold wealth for others and In the process has gained and preserved a large personal fortune. In the wake of his discoveries of petroleum deposits, prosperous communities have sprung up from trackless prairies and bleak mountain plateaus. Through his daring and Ingenuity the national wealth has been tremendously In- creased, and In one instance an entire nation — Colombia — was freed of debt and the living standards of its people elevated because he and his associates uncovered the Acres of Diamonds that lay unsuspected in Its jungles. Known throughout the petroleum industry as The Great Wildcatter, he Is credited with having discovered more oil than any other Individual in history. A firm believer in the philosophy that man Is only a temporary trustee of wealth gained by talents with which he is endowed by Providence, and keenly conscious of his responsibility to his God, his country and his fellowman, Mr. Benedum has wisely conserved the fruits of his labor. Only of friendship and good cheer has he been a spendthrift. Yet he has given generously of his time, energy and substance to the church, the cause of education, and philanthropy In gen- eral. He is a momber of the Board of Emory Methodist Church, of Pittsburgh, Is Trustee of West- ern Pennsylvania Hospital, of Pittsburgh, and of Grove City College and Bucknell University; and holds honorary degrees from Bucknell and West Virginia Universities. These represent only a partial list of the honors that have been conferred upon this distinguished son of West Virginia, whose romantic business career so typifies the American way of life. Young men and women of today may safely follow the trail he has blazed. It may not lead them to the material wealth that he found along the way but If they be true to his sublime philosophy they will attain these real and enduring values of life that are not measured by the yardstick of the counting room.

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his 1941 issue of thE Monticnla is ii portrayal of events that have taken place here at the University during the past year. In it are represented nearly all of the activities of the University- academic and extra-curricular. I wish to commend the editors of the Monticola for the fine way in which the puhlication has heen pre- sented, and I know that as the memhers of the graduating class leaf through this volume in the years to come it will recall to their minds many happy days on the campus. To the seniors who have completed their work at the University and are leaving the campus, may I say that I hope you will find many opportunities to come hack and visit your Alma Mater and that you will always maintain an active interest in its activities and progress. May I extend to each of you my very hest wishes for your con- tinued success. Sincerely yours,