1911 indicates something of a vocational approach to the subject and it may be noted that a significant number of majors went into industry on graduating. Geology, too, under Professors Brigham and Whitnall won many devotees. Eugene P. Sisson and William F. Langworthy, both formerly of the Colgate Academy faculty, joined the College faculty in 1912, the first to teach mathematics and the second, biology.
In the mental and social science departments growth was moderate. Freeman H. Allen, formerly of the Potsdam Normal School faculty, replaced Adna W. Risley, ’94, in history and politics in 1909. From 1912 to 1920, Freeman A. MacIntyre, ’12, was a member of the department. Lionel D. Edie, ’15, who earlier had taught rhetoric and public speaking returned in 1918 after a year in the Navy to instruct in history for four years. Walter 1. Lowe, a Yale alumnus and Ph.D, and for twenty years professor at Wells College, joined the department in 1920 to remain until his death nine years later. Everett W. Goodhue continued as Professor of Economics and Sociology until 1921 when he resigned to accept a similar position at his Alma Mater, Dartmouth. Roy W. Foley, A.B., Oberlin, had joined him in 1914 to teach sociology. Goodhue’s successor was J. Melbourne Shortliffe, A.B., Acadia, ’01, who had studied at Yale and Harvard and taught at Dartmouth. Concerned about the University’s policy on academic freedom, Professor Shortliffe elicited, prior to his appointment in 1921, a strong statement in its behalf from Professor Melbourne S. Read, who had become President pro tem on President Bryan’s resignation. “There is no disposition on the part of anyone in authority in this institution to determine what answers shall be found for problems investigated,” he wrote, adding that “A professor here is entirely free to state his own conclusions either in the classroom or in print, provided those conclusions are … the result of careful, honest analysis and thinking.”* In formulating this policy he had the strong backing of James C. Colgate, as President of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Read, who had been Professor of Philosophy and Education, in 1910 became Professor of Psychology and Education and turned over his courses in philosophy to Ferdinand C. French, who had rejoined the faculty as Professor of Philosophy after teaching at the University of Nebraska. Three years later the Department of Psychology and Education became indepen-
* Copy, letter, Melbourne S. Read, President pro tem, to J. Melbourne Shortliffe, July 20, 1921