Tag Archives: Lionel D. Edie

p. 272 – The Bryan Period, 1908-1922

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

p. 271 – The Bryan Period, 1908-1922

rhetoric and public speaking. For brief periods he had the assistance of Anthony F. Blanks, a Vanderbilt alumnus, Lionel D. Edie, ’15, and Clarence J. Myers, ’20, immediately after they graduated; and Carl A.Kallgren, ’17, who had outstanding success coaching the debate teams of 1921-27. Other alumni who returned were Robert C. Ward, ’08, and Frederick M. Jones, ’09, to the Romance Language Department in 1908 and 1910, and Clifford E. Gates, ’15, to the German Department in 1915-all studied in Europe, Jones earning his doctorate at Grenoble and Gates at Cornell.

In 1912 the Department of Music was established and William H. Hoerrner, supervisor of public school music in Binghamton, was made Professor. Under his supervision the glee club achieved a remarkably fine standard of performance and a far-reaching reputation. He was also active in arranging for many concerts on the campus by nationally known artists. From 1913 to 1920, Robert G. Ingraham, ’13, was a member of the Music and English Departments. Ford B. Saunders, even prior to his graduation in 1921, was designated organist and joined the Music Department after receiving his degree. His weekly recitals became a significant means for broadening students’ appreciation of music.

With the arrival of Alfred E. Alton in 1911, Biblical Literature became a permanent department of instruction and he developed for his classes a familiarity and appreciation of the Bible as a part of a liberal education. Like his own teacher, the liberal William Newton Clarke, he had a sympathetic understanding of problems of students from conservative backgrounds who found difficulty in adjusting to newer religious ideas. In addition to his classroom contacts, of course, he touched a great number of young men as counsellor and “chaplain,” as noted earlier, and never with cant or pious ways but on their own ground as advisor and guide.

In mathematics and natural science student interest had grown rapidly in the past few years. Dean Crawshaw was disturbed in 1909 that it might lead to a lop-sided program which, of course, the major and minor and distribution requirements arrested. Chemistry under the vigorous direction of Professor McGregory was probably the strongest and most popular department. Additions to his staff included: Arthur E. Wood, ’15, Kenneth S. Daniels; ’18, and Raymond J. Hemphill, M.S.’ ’24. The introduction of an industrial chemistry course in