Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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REAR ADMIRAL RALPH EARLE, U. S. NAVY (Retired) D.Sc., D. Eng., LL.D. President U. S. Academy, 1896; D.Sc. (Hon.), W. P. I., 1925; D.Eng. (Hon.) Rensselaer, 1926; LL.D. (Hon.) Amherst, 1929; LL.D. (Hon.) Clark, 1930; Instructor in Electrical Engineering, U. S. N. A., 1910-11; Head, Department of Ordnance and Gunnery, 1915-16; Rear Admiral and Chief of Ordnance, 1917-20; President of Worcester Poly¬ technic Institute 192 5-. Commencement this year marks the sixth anniversary of the day upon which Rear Admiral Ralph Earle, U. S. Navy, assumed the Presidency of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The son of Stephen C. Earle, an eminent architect of Worcester, who designed Boynton Hall and several other buildings on the Tech campus, Ralph Earle, after passing through the public schools of the city, was a student at the Institute when he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1892. Thirty-three years later, having brought to a brilliant culmination his service in the Navy, he came home laden with honors, not, how¬ ever, to rest on his well-earned laurels, but to win new ones as the chief adminis¬ trative officer of his Alma Mater. Merely to list his conspicuous activities in the Navy would require a separate section of the Peddler. Afloat or ashore—whether as a young Lieutenant attempt ing to save shipmates from frightful death by a powder fire in the handling room of the MISSOURI, as skipper of the DOLPHIN when she precipitated the Tampico incident in 1914, as gunnery officer of a cruiser that won the Battle Practice Trophy for excellence in long range target practice, or as a teacher of electrical engineering, and later as Head of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery at the Naval Academy—his career was one of distinguished achieve¬ ment. And then, to crown his service, on December 23, 1916, he was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance of the Navy Department with the rank of Rear Admiral, being the youngest officer who has ever held that responsible position. He occupied this position during the entire period of America s participation in the World War, a time when the work of the Bureau was of infinite importance to America and the world. The two greatest achievements in which it had a major part were the origination and construction of the Northern Barrage, and the design and construction of 14-inch 50 calibre railway batteries that saw active service in France. The first of these achievements was the culminating step in the combating of the submarine while the second resulted in the cutting o the enemy’s main line of communication, after which, in the words of Genera Pershing nothing but surrender or an armistice could save his army trom com¬ plete disaster. Under Admiral Earle the Bureau’s part in these and other great enterprises was characterized by Joseph Daniels, then Secretary of the Navy, Tivcnty—fivc

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REAR ADMIRAL RALPH EARLE, U. S. NAVY, (Retired) President, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

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as constituting one of the finest chapters of Naval achievement in its whole history.” No less energy and ability have marked Admiral Earle’s administration at the Institute. As his father had taken so conspicuous a part in the material embodiment of the College, it was natural that Admiral Earle should be part : cularly active in its physical development. The building program which he has under¬ taken and already carried out in part is an ambitious one. Under him have come the erection of the Dormitory, the swimming pool, the storage and garage build¬ ings on the athletic field, and the beautification of the campus. He has also been chiefly responsible for the modification of some courses and the addition of one in aeronautical engineering. Nor has he overlooked the spiritual side of life on the Hill. He has brought back daily chapel services, with voluntary attendance; and t he numbers which they draw is ample evidence of the students’ appreciation of the opportunity thus afforded. With this record of past accomplishments, the college looks forward with confidence to other good things which Prexy” is quietly planning. In the midst of his innumerable activities for the benefit of Tech, Admiral Earle has found time to take a leading part in civic affairs. The most recent post which he has taken is that of Chairman of the Disaster Relief work of the American Red Cross. It is a privilege to have taken our undergraduate voyage with so able a commanding officer. We shall never forget his cheery Shipmates All”, and are proud to have sailed under his orders. When our turn comes to command, may we assume our responsibilities with the determination to carry on the traditions of able, fearless and gentlemanly conduct that he has taught us. ' ' Prexy” 19 31 T wenty-six