Westminster College - Blue Jay Yearbook (Fulton, MO)

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dedication R. L. D. Davidson The past academic year saw the completion of the administration of Robert L. D. Davidson as the fifteenth president of Westminster College-the longest tenure of any chief executive in the institution's history with 18 years of service. His two decades of leadership have guided the college through an era of unparalleled growth in the numbers of students and faculty, the development of new and imaginative educational programs, the construction of physical plant, and support through endowment and giving. During this time he encouraged constant self study of the institution by faculty and students in joint respon- sibility. He saw the return of the Honor System by student initiation to the college and gave it his full support..He es- tablished the Honors Dinner to recognize Westminster's top scholars each year. He helped pioneer the cooperative program with William Woods College which enabled it to become a four-year institution. One of President Davidson's most striking ac- complishments was the expansion of the campus to the north with the establishment of Churchill Quadrangle in 1958-1959 and then the later completion of Elizabeth Champ Auditorium in 1966. In addition the Phi Kappa Psi house and Sweazey and Weigle Halls were built in this area. Climaxing the building on the new north campus was the reconstruction of the Church of St. Mary, the Virgin, Aldermanbury, transplanted from London to Fulton asthe Winston Churchill Memorial and Library-an idea conceived and pushed to completion by President Davidson. ln addition to all of this, a new Science Center rose on the main campus as well as a new president's home in South Fulton. Washington West House and the old Science Hall were completely refurbished. ln addition to his service to Westminster, President Davidson served on numerous local, state, and national civic, educational, and religious boards. In all of this ac- tivity, he was never too busy to see students personally and to be concerned about their views on campus affairs. It is in deep appreciation for his friendship with and ser- vice to the Westminster community that we dedicate this 1973 Blue Jay to Robert L. D. Davidson.

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presidents reflections When one .commits eighteen years of his life to a career as college president he has so much in the way of experience that it is difficult to sort out those examples of success which might be recognized from all the disap- pointments and heartaches. Furthermore, when this service has been at one institution, the color of this opinion becomes fairly deep and thus he sounds dogmatic. Anyone reading this will im- mediately realize that I loved my jobg I enjoyed being an educational leader as much as my capacities permitted. Westminster is one of the last remaining men's colleges and is strongly attached to a curriculum in the liberal arts. Since I was a product of a small liberal arts college I have caught the idea of liberating minds from ignorance, fear, and prejudice and appreciate the flavor of an educational program that seeks to cause men to think for themselves based on value judgments rather than just direct preparation for particular employment. So one of my greatest satisfactions is to have assisted in some slight degree, despite tremendous pressures to the con- trary, to see this college continue even more strongly a liberal arts in- stitution. But, since this is only a means to an end, my real joy is witnessing what has happened in the lives of some 3,500 young men who have made this their choice for higher education. The number who are making successes of themselves, not just with profitable careers, as important as that is, but also because of what I see them perfor- ming in trying to make the world a little better. Whether it be eleemosynary boards, school boards, church boards, or political service, Westminster men are widely and intensively represented. Another pleasing aspect is the fine atmosphere of intellectual stimulation received from colleagues on the faculty and board of trustees who insist that the level of learning be kept rigorous and demanding, yet at the same time challenging and interesting. The fact that 91W of our sophomores returned as juniors this past fall, in- dicates that we have motivated a substantial segment of our con- stituents and convinced them tand usj that our program is worthwhile. Of course there have been some frustrations, but I leave my official position on the whole with a sense of pride and a conviction that Westminster under its new ad- ministration will continue to prosper. Robert L. D. Davidson, President

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