c 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
 
 http://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofviOOsmyt 
 
Vol. XV, No. 4 
 
 May, 1922. 
 
 BULLETIN 
 
 OF THE 
 
 inia Polytechnic 
 Institute 
 
 The State Agricultural and Mechanical College 
 
 SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 A Brief History of the College 
 
 PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BY THE 
 VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, BLACKSBURG, VA. 
 
"SERVICE TO THE STATE AND NATION" 
 
 A BRIEF HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical 
 
 College and Polytechnic 
 
 Institute 
 
 1872-1922 
 
 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SUPPLEMENT, THE CONTENTS 
 WERE PREPARED BY PROFESSOR E. A. SMYTH. 
 
 The Bulletin of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute is published bi-monthly. En- 
 tered as second-class matter January 29, 1908, at the post office at Blacksburg, Vir- 
 ginia, under the Act of July 16, 1894. 
 
A LIST OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE COLLEGE 
 SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT 
 
 1872-1879— Dr. C. L. C. Minor 
 1879-1880— Vacant 
 1880-1881 — Dr. John L. Buchanan 
 1881-1886— Prof. Thomas N. Conrad 
 1886-1891— Gen. L. L. Lomax 
 1891-1907— Dr. John M. McBryde 
 1907-1913— Dr. Paul B. Barringer 
 1913-1919 — Dr. Joseph D. Eggleston 
 1919- — Dr. Julian A. Burruss 
 
A Brief History of the Virginia Agricultural and 
 Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute 
 
 By an act of Congress passed in 1862 large grants of public land 
 were made to each State, the proceeds from the sale of which were to 
 endow state colleges. It was required that the main subjects taught 
 should relate directly to agriculture and the mechanic arts, and that 
 military instruction should be given. Scientific subjects and the 
 classics were however not excluded. Such colleges were therefore 
 known as "Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges." 
 
 In 1872 the General Assembly of Virginia met the requirements 
 and accepted the provisions of this act with Virginia's share of the 
 land grant. The Richmond Dispatch of March 20, 1872, contains this 
 paragraph, namely, 
 
 Governor Walker has appointed the 
 following to compose the board of visitors 
 to the Virginia Agricultural and Mechan- 
 ical College: Harvey Black, of Montgomery 
 County; John T. Cowan, of Pulaski; Joseph 
 Cloyd, of Pulaski: W. Alexander Stewart, 
 of Smyth; Joseph R. Anderson, of Rich- 
 mond; William T. Sutherlin, of Danville; 
 Robert Beverley, of Fauquier; and D. C. 
 DeJarnette, of Caroline. 
 
 There was some contention as to the best locality for this new 
 school, and various sections urged their claims. At this time the 
 Preston family owned large estates near Blacksburg in Montgomery 
 County, and Judge Waller R. Staples, of Christiansburg, a close friend 
 of the Preston family, championed Montgomery County's claims for 
 the location of the school at Blacksburg. The county raised the sum 
 of $20,000 and offered also a brick building and grounds at Blacks- 
 burg, known as the Preston and Olin Institute, as a nucleus for the 
 college. Success crowned these efforts, and so now the Virginia Poly- 
 technic Institute and Blacksburg are synonymous to many. 
 
 The large farm known as "Solitude," owned by Col. Robert Pres- 
 ton, which was one of the three large Preston farms adjoining each 
 other, was purchased and forms now a large part of the grounds of 
 the college. The mansion still known as "Solitude," now the residence 
 of Professor Saunders, is said to be an enlargement of the original 
 hewn-log house, and is one of the oldest houses in the neighborhood. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 THE EARLY YEARS 
 
 The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College opened in 1872, 
 having- as its only building the Preston and Olin Institute structure. 
 Old alumni will remember that this building, converted into three 
 stories, later used as a dormitory, then again restored to two stories 
 and used as the shops building, afterwards forming the nucleus of the 
 quadrangle shops building, was destroyed by fire in 1913. This build- 
 ing was on the hill, just within the present alumni gateway. 
 
 The first president was Dr. C. L. C. Minor, and his faculty con- 
 sisted of Gray Carroll, professor of mathematics; Dr. Charles Martin, 
 professor of English; and General James H. Lane, of North Carolina, 
 who had fought at Manassas, was commandant and professor of math- 
 ematics. The students roomed and boarded where they could in town, 
 as there was no dormitory and no mess; and this occasioned the con- 
 struction of the long, one-storied building of many rooms on the cross 
 street west of the present Presbyterian church, now known as "Ly- 
 brook Row," where many of the cadets roomed. In those days the 
 building was known by a less euphonious name, doubtless in keeping 
 with the actions of the inmates. These students took their meals in 
 the building now owned by Dr. Roop, then known as "Luster's Hotel." 
 
 In 1873 Mr. C. W. C. Davis was made professor of mechanics, and 
 Dr. M. G. Elzy professor of chemistry and agriculture. Until Sep- 
 tember, 1882, the sessions extended through the summer, and there 
 was a winter vacation. In 1874 Professor Davis was replaced by Mr. 
 Jackson, who soon resigned, being succeeded by General Boggs. In 
 the same year the buildings known as the First and Second Academic 
 Buildings were begun; a house was built for the president, which is 
 now the main part of the infirmary; and three professors' houses were 
 added. One of these latter, remodeled since partial destruction by fire, 
 is now the administration building; one, the present commandant's 
 house; and the third, later used as a lecture hall for the agricultural 
 department in the time of Professor Nourse, was removed to give 
 room for the present library, built originally for the college audito- 
 rium, and the material of this house was used in the construction of 
 the house now occupied by Professor Burkhart. These six buildings 
 were constructed with money appropriated by the Legislature for the 
 purpose. The whole amount was $60,000, and about 607c went into 
 these buildings. 
 
 Shortly after organization, the faculty was divided into two 
 factions as to policy, discipline, and management of the school. This 
 resulted in a personal difficulty between the president and the com- 
 mandant. Recognizing that under such conditions the college could 
 not succeed, the board of visitors removed President Minor and Pro- 
 fessor Martin in November, 1879, and elected Thomas N. Conrad as 
 professor of English. On December 10, 1879, Dr. John L. Buchanan 
 
CATALOGUE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 OFFICERS AND STUDENTS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Virginia Agricultural & Mechanical College. 
 
 FIRST SESSION. 
 
 1872-'7S. 
 
 CLEMMITT & JONES, 
 
 STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 
 
 1873. 
 
 Reproduction of title-page of first catalogue, the size of which was 4% x 7 inches. 
 
BOARD of VISITORS. 
 
 HARVEY BLACK, M. D. 
 
 BlCTOE. 
 
 His Excellency, O. C. WALKER, Governor op Virginia, Ex officio. 
 Hon. J. C. TAYLOR, Attorney General, Ex officio. 
 Rev. W. H. RUFFNER. D. D., Sup't of Public Instruction, Ex officio. 
 Gen. W. H. F. LEE, President State Agricultural Society, Ex officio. 
 
 Gen. J. R. ANDERSON, Richmond. 
 Hon. JOHN GOODE, Jr, Norfolk. 
 Col. JOHN E. PENN, Patrick. 
 
 Appointed by the 
 Governor for three years. 
 
 ROBERT BEVERLEY, Esq., Fauquier. 
 W. A. STUART, Esq., Smythe, 
 E. M. TIDBALL, Esq., Frederick. 
 
 Appointed by the 
 Governor for two years. 
 
 HARVEY BLACK, M. D., Montgomery. 
 Hon. D. C. DeJARNETTE, Caroline. 
 Maj. W. T. SUTHERLIN, Pittsylvania. 
 
 Appointod by the 
 Governor for one year. 
 
 V. E. SHEPHERD, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 Reproduced from the first catalogue, 1872-73. 
 
8 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 was elected president. The Legislature of 1879-80 removed the entire 
 board of visitors, and the Governor made his new appointments so late 
 that they were not confirmed. They nevertheless acted, and continued 
 in office until 1881-82. This board decided on a complete reorganiza- 
 tion of the college, and in 1880 declared all chairs and offices of the 
 college vacant. 
 
 Dr. Buchanan thus served for only six months, for at the next 
 meeting in August an entire new faculty was elected. General Scott 
 Shipp, the late distinguished superintendent of the Virginia Military 
 Institute, was made president, with a faculty composed as follows: 
 Dr. M. P. Scott, chemistry and agriculture; J. E. Christian, mathe- 
 matics and physics; Colonel W. W. Blackford, mechanics. Later Colo- 
 nel Blackford was appointed superintendent of buildings and grounds, 
 and to him we owe the beginning of our lovely campus, so much ad- 
 mired by visitors. Mr. Hart was elected professor of English. General 
 Lane resigned and the position of commandant was not filled until 
 1885. But very little stress was laid on the military feature, the board 
 of visitors having required the faculty to reduce it to the minimum 
 within the terms of the law. 
 
 General (then Colonel) Scott Shipp accepted the presidency, but 
 resigned within a day of his arrival on the grounds, and Mr. Hart 
 acted in that capacity during the session of 1880-81. In June, 1881, 
 Dr. John L. Buchanan was again elected president. If conditions had 
 been better, Dr. Buchanan would doubtless have exerted a marked in- 
 fluence for good on the future of the college, for he was already well 
 known as an educator and he was a gentleman of comprehensive mind 
 and liberal culture. Dr. Buchanan has recently died, in January, 1922, 
 at the advanced age of 93 years, having in his time filled such import- 
 ant positions as president of Emory and Henry College, Randolph-Ma- 
 con College, Martha Washington College, Vanderbilt University, and 
 the University of Arkansas, besides the Virginia Agricultural and 
 Mechanical College. 
 
 The board which elected Dr. Buchanan to the presidency at 
 Blacksburg, and which doubtless would have supported him, was 
 removed by the Legislature of 1881-82. Governor Cameron, elected 
 by the Coalition-Readjuster party, appointed an entirely new board, 
 which unfortunately deemed it necessary to reorganize the college. 
 In January, 1882, this board declared all chairs and offices vacant, 
 except that of treasurer. Captain Thomas N. Conrad was made pres- 
 ident, and in February the board met and re-elected Professors Scott 
 and Christian, elected Mr. J. X. Morton professor of Latin and pri- 
 mary English, and Mr. Grimm professor of English. Professor 
 Grimm, however, did not serve and his place was taken by Professor 
 Morton. Later, Mr. V. E. Shepard was selected to instruct in modern 
 languages, and was subsequently given a professorship. Colonel Wil- 
 liam Ballard Preston was requested to give lectures on agriculture 
 and to instruct in military science and tactics. 
 
 In 1884, upon request of the board for the detail of an army offi- 
 cer, Lieutenant John C. Gresham, of the 7th U. S. Cavalry, was chosen 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 !< 
 
 as commandant of cadets and professor of military science and tactics. 
 He reported for duty in July, 1885. Preferring; work in the field, how- 
 ever, he resigned in L887, after proving himself to both students and 
 faculty an efficient and popular officer. 
 
 Upon the election of Governor Fitzhugh Lee, another board of 
 visitors was appointed, which at once proceeded to reorganize the col- 
 lege. General L. L. Lomax, a distinguished officer of the Confederacy, 
 was elected president, and Professors Scott, Christian, Morton, and 
 Preston were re-elected. Mr. James H. Fitts, a former ensign of the 
 Navy and an Annapolis graduate, was elected professor of mechanics 
 and manager of the shops, and Mr. Fielding P. Miles, professor of 
 
 A demonstration by the students during the days of "Mahonism."' 
 
 This building was then used as a dormitory and afterwards as shops. 
 
 Dr. T. N. Conrad was then president. 
 
 chemistry. These gentlemen assumed charge of their departments in 
 July, 1885. Lieutenant John T. Knight, of the 3rd U. S. Cavalry, a 
 native of Virginia, was detailed as commandant of cadets and reported 
 for duty in August, 1887, serving until 1890. 
 
 An agricultural experiment station having been established in 
 connection with the college in 1888, Colonel Ballard Preston was 
 elected director of the station and professor of agriculture. In the 
 same year, from money appropriated by the Legislature, a new brick 
 barrack building was erected at a cost of about $20,000. The bricks 
 for the building were made locally and a handsome grove that stood 
 west of the experiment plats, beyond the Price's Forks road was sacri- 
 ficed for burning the bricks. This building was steam-heated and 
 equipped with furniture made at the college shops, which were then in 
 the small wooden building east of the present mess-hall. This brick 
 barrack was known as the "New Barracks," now referred to as "The 
 Old Barracks" or "Barrack No. 1." Up to the building of this the 
 
10 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 students were quartered in the Preston-Olin building, later remodeled 
 by General Lomax for a machine shop. 
 
 In June, 1889, the board established the chair of French and Ger- 
 man, and Mr. T. P. Campbell was elected thereto, reporting for duty 
 in September of that year. Professor Campbell is still in charge of 
 this department, being at present, in point of service, the oldest mem- 
 ber of the faculty. 
 
 The year 1890 saw many changes. Professor Miles, of the chair 
 of chemistry, died; Colonel Preston resigned as director of the experi- 
 ment station and professor of agriculture; Mr. R. C. Price, of the 
 Miller School, was elected to the chair of chemistry; Mr. A. F. Gully 
 to that of agriculture, and Mr. W. E. Anderson as superintendent of 
 shops. Mr. Gully declining his election, Professor D. 0. Nourse, so 
 kindly remembered by all who knew him, was elected in his stead. 
 Lieutenant John A. Harmon, of the 7th U. S. Cavalry, was detailed 
 as commandant of cadets. Those who were here during Colonel Har- 
 mon's time of service will remember him with love and admiration 
 for his sterling qualities as a man and an officer. The first trips taken 
 by the corps as a military body were under his charge, and at the 
 naval rendezvous at Norfolk, and later, at the exercises of the unveil- 
 ing of the monument to the soldiers and sailors, in Richmond in 1894, 
 it was largely due to Colonel Harmon that the corps made the excel- 
 lent reputation that their later trips have continually increased. In 
 later life, Colonel Harmon was connected with the establishment of 
 the Quito and Guayaquil Railroad in Equador, where he died. 
 
 Dr. W. B. Conway resigned as college surgeon in June, 1890, and 
 Drs. Kent Black and W. F. Henderson, both former students, were 
 appointed, officiating on alternate weeks. 
 
 In the spring of 1891 Professor Anderson was made professor of 
 electricity and physics in addition to his superintendency of the shops, 
 but in 1893 he resigned both positions. 
 
 From the founding of the college in 1872 up to 1891, we note the 
 following material developments: 
 
 The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College began in 1872 
 with nothing but the inadequate Preston-Olin building and limited 
 grounds; with a faculty of three or four members; with constant 
 changes of administration, practically no support from the State and 
 discouraging political interference; yet by 1891 there had been pro- 
 vided a barrack building for housing the students; two academic 
 buildings of brick, with a few lecture rooms and a poorly equipped 
 laboratory for chemistry, and a few offices; a building for the experi- 
 ment station, used also for a horticultural building, with a small 
 greenhouse attached; four houses for professors, with the old "Soli- 
 tude" mansion refitted; a machine shop by the conversion of the old 
 Preston-Olin building; a large frame structure for assemblies; and a 
 smaller frame house used as a shop. The planning and laying out of 
 the campus had been started, and an army officer had been secured as 
 commandant and military instructor. 
 
\ [RGINLA Polytechnic Institute 11 
 
 THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT McBRYDE 
 
 The spring of 1891 saw another reorganization of the college, 
 ushered in by the resignation of General Lomax as president. The 
 board also declared vacant the chairs of English, biology, bookkeeping, 
 and commercial law. 
 
 On May 7, 1891, the board unanimously elected as president and 
 director of the experiment station, Dr. John M. McBryde, then presi- 
 dent of the University of South Carolina, giving- him a very free hand 
 in selecting his own associates and formulating his own policies. Dur- 
 ing the interim, Professor J. E. Christian had acted as president and 
 he was re-elected to the chair of mathematics. 
 
 In accordance with Dr. McBryde's carefully considered plan of 
 reorganization, the following departments were created: agricultural 
 chemistry, President McBryde; mathematics and civil engineering, 
 Professor Christian, Assistant Professor Harmon, Instructor Hurt; 
 mechanical engineering, Professor Fitts; horticulture, entomology, 
 and mycology, Professor Alwood; English, history and political 
 economy, Dr. Sheib; biology, Professor Smyth; modern languages, 
 Adjunct Professor Campbell ; electrical engineering and physics, Ad- 
 junct Professor Anderson; general chemistry, geology and mineralogy, 
 Adjunct Professor R. C. Price; analytical chemistry, Adjunct Pro- 
 fessor Davidson; agriculture, Adjunct Professor Nourse, veterinary 
 science, Adjunct Professor Niles; woodwork, Instructor Bray; iron 
 work, Instructor W. N. Cunningham; bookkeeping, Mr. W. W. Hurt. 
 Mr. Hurt was also appointed secretary of the faculty, Mr. A. W. 
 Drinkard ('93), librarian, and Mr. G. W. Fleet, marshal. 
 
 Session of 1891-92. With the foregoing faculty, the session of 
 1891-92 opened. Seven courses of study were offered, of 4 years each, 
 leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science, namely, agriculture; 
 horticulture; applied chemistry; general science; civil, mechanical, and 
 electrical engineering; and two shorter courses in practical mechanics 
 and practical agriculture, in which certificates only were given. Post- 
 graduate courses were offered leading to the degrees of M.S., C.E., 
 M.E., and E.E. 
 
 The mess and kitchen for some time past and into the session of 
 1891-92 had been in the basement of Academic Building No. 1. The 
 students, seated on stools, ate at long, bare tables. Napkins were 
 unknown luxuries. Some of the bachelor professors, and one or two 
 married professors with their wives, had a separate table in a corner 
 of the same room, which occupied the whole of the western part of the 
 basement. Whether they received better fare or not, many longing 
 glances were cast by student eyes at this "table of privilege." To- 
 ward the end of this session the mess was moved to the old two-story 
 wooden building still standing by the "pavilion" to the east of the 
 northeast entrance to the old campus. As already stated, the original 
 
12 
 
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 brick building of the Preston-Olin Institute had been converted into 
 the machine shop. The only barrack then was No. 1, with the tower, 
 and several of the unmarried professors had rooms therein. 
 
 The class of 1892 was the first to adopt a senior uniform of dark 
 blue trousers to match the elaborately braided senior blouse of blue, 
 and the under-classes wore the uniform of dark blue blouse and gray 
 trousers. The use of the gray coatee was discontinued by the authori- 
 ties. 
 
 From a wood cut made from a drawing or photograph taken from 
 the top of the shops about 1890-91. Compare this with the photo- 
 graph made from the same place in 1897. 
 
 The Athletic Association was organized in September, 1891, with 
 J. A. Massie as president, and after much discussion black and cadet- 
 gray were adopted as the college colors, and the college yell was finally 
 chosen to be : 
 
 "Rip Rah Ree! Va., Va., Vee! 
 Virginia, Virginia! 
 A. M. C!" 
 
 As the title of the college was at that time merely "The Virginia 
 Agricultural and Mechanical College, "Virginia A.M.C." was meant to 
 represent that title. Some attempt was made to arouse an interest in 
 football. Messrs. Massie, Stull, Pratt, Friend, and Lovenstein, and 
 Professor Smyth, tried to arouse intelligent enthusiasm in the modern 
 game. It was not, however, until the fall of 1892 that any team was 
 chosen to represent the college, at which time, Professor Anderson also 
 lent his influence and person to the team. St. Alban's School, then a 
 flourishing preparatory school under Colonel Miles, at Radford, was 
 the only rival we attempted to win laurels from, and baseball was 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 13 
 
 also rather inchoate. Tenuis received some attention, and a tennis 
 association was formed. The history of athletics is too voluminous 
 and important to be attempted here, and those interested are referred 
 to "The Bugle" of 1903 for the facts up to the year of that volume. 
 
 During: this session the corps decided to revive publication of 
 "The Cray Jacket," dormant since 1889, and Mr. A. W. Drinkard was 
 the first editor of this revival. The first trip of the corps as a military 
 organization was taken on June 17, 1892. The corps, consisting- of two 
 companies of 30 men each, attended the decennial celebration of Roa- 
 noke City. 
 
 Prof. Alwood's home in 1891-92, now the Administration Building. 
 To the right, where "faculty row" is now located was then a wheat 
 
 field. 
 
 The Effinger house, adjoining the north corner of the campus, 
 near where now stands the Science Hall, was purchased and used as 
 an infirmary. Later, this house was torn down and the material used 
 in part to build the house now occupied by Professor C. Lee. Painter's 
 spring, near Colonel Palmer's property, to the northeast of the town, 
 was purchased and the water conducted by gravity to a reservoir by 
 the shops, whence it was pumped to a tank in the tower of barrack No. 
 1. Up to this date, water had been pumped by ram from the stream 
 by the quarry. The land where "faculty row" now stands, down to 
 the old orchard by the ice-pond, was a wheat field, later used as a 
 brick-yard. 
 
 The catalogue for 1891-92 gives a total of 116 students, though 
 there were only about 80 in attendance at Commencement. For these 
 Commencement exercises a large tent was secured, as the college had 
 no suitable hall. The tent was pitched on the level ground, now grown 
 up in trees, southeast of the present infirmary, and a rain storm dur- 
 
14 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 ing the Sunday exercises necessitated a liberal use of umbrellas among 
 the audience. 
 
 Among new appointments were the following: Mr. T. L. Watson, 
 now professor of geology at the University of Virginia, as instructor 
 in geology, and Mr. C. G. Porcher in forge work. 
 
 Session of 1892-93. Among matters of interest during the first 
 of this session was the organization of a cadet band of sixteen brass 
 pieces under the leadership of Cadet Clifford Anderson. Like many 
 young organizations it was very crude, the relative merits of the dif- 
 ferent performers being gauged by the amount of wind power they 
 could put into a blast. No one now hearing our excellent band would 
 realize what its early character was from a musical standpoint. The 
 band now attracts men who are already performers; then, with 
 hardly an exception, no man could read music or knew even how to 
 blow his horn. As already mentioned, the first football team in the 
 history of the college was put on the field this autumn, with Professor 
 Anderson as captain. 
 
 The mess was moved to the large wooden building known as the 
 "pavilion," still standing northeast of the present mess-hall, and was 
 under the charge of Mrs. Crockett. A wooden building of nine rooms 
 was built as a veterinary infirmary, near the horticultural building — 
 now the offices of the extension division. This wooden building was 
 later moved to the southeast of the stone agricultural building where 
 it still stands. A one-story brick building was erected for forge and 
 foundry work, and this still stands by the site of the old shops, east 
 of the mess-hall. Two three-inch rifles were furnished to the college 
 by the War Department, forming the nucleus of the subsequently 
 organized battery. 
 
 Among student activities was the formation of the Thespian Club, 
 which enlivened student life by giving rather creditable minstrel 
 shows. The boys purchased wigs, and made various "properties." 
 This organization continued in existence until about 1899, giving in 
 the course of its life some very good entertainments of a much more 
 ambitious character than mere minstrel shows. An effort was made 
 to start also an orchestra. This was composed largely of decidedly 
 amateur performers who played almost entirely by ear. It was called 
 "The Lost Chord Band" and consisted of guitars, cornet, violin and 
 clarinet. It did not live very long. 
 
 The corps of cadets, consisting of three companies and the band, 
 attended the naval rendezvous at Norfolk in April, 1893. It was here 
 that Captain Finch's picked company won the prize of two hundred 
 and fifty dollars in a competitive drill against two competitors. 
 The V. M. I. corps was scheduled to appear in the contest but it did 
 not come on the field. By vote of the corps, this money was used by 
 Colonel Harmon to purchase two 3-inch rifles, which, with the two 
 already here, were later used by the battery. These two cannon now 
 stand, and for some time past have stood, on guard in front of the 
 esplanade of Barrack No. 1. A powder magazine was built below the 
 hill, in front of Academic Building No. 1, to store the increased 
 
VIRGINIA Polytechnic Institute 15 
 
 amount of ammunition furnished by the War Department. This 
 brick vault, now removed, used to be pointed out to credulous visitors 
 as the mortuary vault of our dead presidents. 
 
 Commencement exercises were held in the old pavilion. 
 
 The following faculty changes were made: promotions, adjunct 
 professor to professor, Messrs. Campbell, Price, Nourse, Davidson, 
 and Niles; Colonel Harmon was made acting* professor of mathemat- 
 ics; Professor Anderson, Mr. Cunningham, and Mr. Bray resigned, 
 ami Messrs. P. C. Hubbard and J. R. Parrott (a former student), both 
 of Lynchburg, were appointed instructors in machine shop and wood 
 shop respectively; Mr. J. P. Harvey, of Blacksburg, was given charge 
 of the band. 
 
 The college sustained a loss through the death of Professor James 
 Fitts, of the department of mechanical engineering, who was killed 
 near Welch, West Virginia, in a railroad accident, while on his way 
 to the Chicago exposition. 
 
 In August, 1893, Professor S. R. Pritchard was appointed to the 
 chair of electrical engineering and physics; and in September of the 
 same year Mr. L. S. Randolph, of Baltimore, was appointed to the 
 chair of mechanical engineering. 
 
 A creamery and cheese factory was built out of the proceeds of 
 farm crops, in the low ground between Professor Pritchard's present 
 home and the stone agricultural building. This low ground, up to and 
 including the present athletic field, was used by the horticultural de- 
 partment as vegetable gardens. The products from these gardens 
 were sold to the professors, but later such products were used in the 
 cannery (built near the creamery) and sold for home consumption. 
 
 The catalogue for 1892-93 gives an attendance of 177 students. 
 
 Session of 1893-94. The possession of four cannon made possible 
 the formation of a battery, at the opening of this session, with cadet 
 Captain A. Hull Apperson in charge. The old wooden shops building 
 (now a store house) was equipped as a steam laundry under the 
 charge of Mr. D. O. Matthews. 
 
 On October 18 the college was again called upon to sustain a loss 
 in the faculty through the death of Professor J. E. Christian, who had 
 been a member of the faculty since 1880. 
 
 The third trip of the corps as a military body occurred on May 
 -".i. The occasion was the unveiling, in Richmond, of the monument to 
 the soldiers and sailors of the Confederacy. Three companies of in- 
 fantry, and the band, composed the battalion, which remained in Rich- 
 mond until June 2, encamped near the Lee monument. The cadets 
 were an escort of honor to Governor O'Ferrall. On the return from 
 the ceremonies a heavy downpour of rain dampened the ardor and 
 uniforms of the boys; but the band, though drenched to the skin, 
 struck up "the Washington Post" march and saved the day. Cadets 
 of that day will remember the episode of the muddy white trousers. 
 
 In June, Dr. S. M. Barton was appointed adjunct professor of 
 mathematics and civil engineering. 
 
 Attendance for the session, 236. 
 
16 
 
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 During the summer, the land to the right of the road leading to 
 the horticultural and experiment station building (now the extension 
 building) was leveled, and a boulevard was constructed from the old 
 chestnut tree (still standing by the Y. M. C. A. building) to the horti- 
 cultural building. Along this boulevard "faculty row" was later 
 gradually built. 
 
 Session of 1894-95. A new dormitory (No. 2), a brick building 
 of fifty-five rooms, was completed by October. A fourth infantry 
 company was organized. This fall signalized our first entry into state 
 athletics, and our first game with V. M. I., played in Staunton on No- 
 vember 28, result V. M. I., 10; V. A. M. C, 6. 
 
 
 | . ^ 
 
 • 
 
 BSK ? ^^1 
 
 
 st? 
 
 The first foot-ball team, 1892, Prof. Anderson (with ball at right. 
 
 end), captain. 
 
 Up to this date there had been practically no athletic field, the 
 games at home being played back cf Barrack No. 1 or down about 
 where the sewage disposal plant now is. President McBryde assigned 
 to the athletic association for their use, and for a drill field, a portion 
 of the horticultural gardens next to the grounds of Professor Camp- 
 bell's house, later removed. This field was not leveled then, but had a 
 gradual fall toward the southwest. However, it seemed level com- 
 pared with what had been our only grounds. When, in later years, 
 the field was leveled and put in its present good shape, and the hill 
 toward Professor Campbell's house, where now stands the field house, 
 cut down as it now is, it was a surprise to even those who had played 
 and drilled there to see what a fall there really was to the land. 
 
 The Y. M. C. A. issued its first handbook, though then it had no 
 building. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 17 
 
 During* the session, six professors' houses, of brick, were erected 
 on "faculty row." The nearest of these to the barracks, built for Pro- 
 fessor R. C. Price and later occupied by Professor Vawter, was torn 
 down when the present stone shops were built. 
 
 On December 7, Judge Gardner died. He had been the treasurer 
 for a long time, and his loss was deeply felt. Mr. C. I. Wade, of 
 Christiansburg, was appointed in his place. 
 
 The equipment of the battery was, largely through the efforts of 
 the corps, further increased by the purchase of forty sabres. 
 
 This was the winter of the big snow, when town and college alike 
 suffered a coal famine. There were no stone roads then, and no rail- 
 road from Christiansburg, all communication being by horse power; 
 
 The first band, 1892-93, Mr. J. P. Harvey (in center front), leader. 
 
 the auto was a thing of the future. The whole community was out of 
 touch with the world for a few days, as no vehicle could get to or 
 from Christiansburg, and the deep cuts in the roads to the coal mines 
 were drifted high with snow. Volunteers were called for, and students 
 and townsmen turned out in a body and cleared a road to Brush Moun- 
 tain and the coal mines through deep drifts, in places over ten feet in 
 depth. 
 
 The new mess and Commencement hall, a large two-story brick 
 building, was completed in the spring. The large addition to the 
 north, containing now the private mess and the bakery, was, however, 
 a later addition. The hall was finished in time for Commencement. 
 
 Adjunct Professor Pritchard was promoted to a full professor- 
 ship, and Assistant W. W. Hurt to an assistant professorship; Mr. W. 
 D. Saunders was made superintendent of the creamery and assistant 
 
18 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 professor of dairy husbandry; Mr. W. G. Conner ('92), instructor in 
 wood-work; Mr. J. M. Johnson, of the Miller School, instructor in 
 forge and foundry; Mr. A. T. Eskridge ('94), instructor in geology; 
 Mr. W. H. Rasche, of the Miller School, assistant in drawing; and Mr. 
 L. W. Jerrell ('94), assistant in wood-work. 
 
 The first issue of "The Bugle," published thereafter annually by 
 the senior class, appeared at this Commencement. It was a very 
 modest volume compared with the sumptuous editions of later years, 
 but the editors considered it as quite an achievement. The cost to the 
 purchaser was only $1.50. 
 
 Attendance this session, 325. 
 
 In the summer Mr. T. L. Watson resigned the instructorship in 
 geology, and Dr. S. M. Barton the chair of mathematics and civil 
 engineering. This latter chair was then divided, Colonel William 
 Patton, of Lexington, was elected to the chair of civil engineering, and 
 the commandant, Lieutenant D. C. Shanks (now Major-General 
 Shanks) was appointed professor of mathematics. 
 
 Session of 1895-96. The mess was moved from the old pavilion 
 to the new mess-hall, where it now is. The Legislature authorized the 
 college to issue bonds to the amount of $15,000 to erect a water tower, 
 which was built under the direction of Colonel Patton and Professor 
 Randolph, the board having purchased fifty acres from the Houston 
 estate to secure the spring which is still the source of our water sup- 
 ply- 
 
 Another important event at this time was the act of the Legisla- 
 ture allowing the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College to be 
 legally known as "The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College 
 and Polytechnic Institute," whence comes our well known "V. P. I." 
 The Legislature placed under the jurisdiction of the experiment 
 station at Blacksburg the cattle quarantine and the enforcement of 
 laws with regard to insects injurious to fruit culture. Professor W. 
 B. Alwood was made state entomologist, and Dr. E. P. Niles was made 
 state veterinarian. 
 
 The Christmas holidays were increased by two weeks and the 
 spring session was lengthened to enable the corps to take part in the 
 Confederate reunion at Richmond, in late June. Commencement was 
 on June 19, and on June 24 the battalion, of four companies of infan- 
 try, one battery of light artillery, the band and staff officers, left for 
 Richmond, where they arrived at 6 P. M. The cadets were escorted 
 by one of the military companies to their camp near the Soldiers' 
 Home. The students had invited as their guest on the trip our veteran 
 chaplain, Rev. George Gray, and had presented him with a suitable 
 chaplain's uniform. The old gentleman considered it a duty of honor 
 to march by the side of the corps the whole distance from the depot 
 to the camp at the Soldiers' Home, and his venerable and military 
 appearance excited much interest along the line of march. The exhi- 
 bition drills and parades drew large crowds, and the sham battle 
 roused to such a pitch of excitement the old soldiers present that 
 several of them tried to assume control of the artillery and direct the 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 19 
 
 boys when and how to work the guns. At the laying of the corner- 
 stone for the Jefferson Davis monument, the band by request furnished 
 music during the exercises. That afternoon Colonel Shanks dismissed 
 the battalion, and the cadets returned to their homes. 
 
 During this session, dissatisfied with the black and gray colors 
 which had been adopted, and which w r ere unpleasantly sug- 
 gestive when worn in stripes, the corps, with the help of Dr. Sheib 
 and others investigated the matter of colors, taking note of those 
 already adopted by the colleges of the country. Finding that orange 
 and maroon made at that time an unique combination, not in use else- 
 where, these were adopted as the official college colors, in the fall of 
 1896. They were first worn by an athletic team on October 20, 1896, 
 in a game against Roanoke College. At this time also, the college yell 
 of "Rip, Rah, Ree," etc., was abandoned, and after some competition 
 and many suggestions the now familiar "Hokie, Hokie" cheer became 
 the standard yell. 
 
 In the spring of 1896 Field-day exercises were held for the first 
 time. There was no graded running track, scarcely any appliances 
 for hurdles, jumping, etc., save what had been made and improvised 
 by the boys themselves. None of the contestants had done any pre- 
 liminary training at all, yet some good records were made, such as 
 the running broad jump of over nineteen feet by Luther Johns. 
 Ingles, too, made the hundred-yard dash in ten seconds. First place 
 was won by Lewis Ingles, who was adjudged the best all-around ath- 
 lete, with Johns as second. 
 
 Instructor Parrott was promoted to be assistant professor; and 
 the following were promoted from assistants to instructors: A. W. 
 Drinkard ('93) ; J. W. Stull ('93) ; F. D. Wilson ('94) ; L. W. Jerrell 
 ('95) ; F. S. Roop ('97) was made instructor in veterinary science, 
 and C. G. Guignard, assistant in machine work. Dr. Kent Black, one 
 of the college physicians, resigned, leaving Dr. Henderson in sole 
 charge. 
 
 Attendance, 335. 
 
 Session of 1896-97. Instructor F. D. Wilson resigned to study 
 at Johns Hopkins, and Mr. W. B. Ellett was appointed to fill his place 
 in the chemistry department. 
 
 An entertainment for the benefit of athletics, that will be remem- 
 bered with amusement by the alumni of that day, was the presenta- 
 tion of "Mrs. Jariey's wax works," gotten up by Miss Susie McBryde. 
 One of the features of this entertainment was our 240-pound football 
 guard, "Jumbo" Pelter, over six feet tall, who was dressed to suit the 
 character of "Little Nell." 
 
 During the spring, the new water-works system was completed; 
 the tank, elevated 150 feet above the level of the athletic field, had a 
 capacity of 50,000 gallons. 
 
 In June, Assistant Rasche was made instructor, and R. C. Stuart 
 ('95) was made assistant in machine work. 
 
 Attendance, 336. 
 
20 
 
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 Session of 1897-98. By this time, through the untiring interest 
 of Dr. Sheib, athletics had been placed on a fairly firm basis, and the 
 need was evident for a college paper especially devoted to the interests 
 of athletics, although the "Gray Jacket," a publication of more 
 literary pretensions, had always had a department devoted to this 
 branch of college life. Accordingly, "The Cohee" was established, 
 largely through the efforts of Mr. S. H. Sheib, a nephew of Dr. Sheib. 
 The first issue appeared on December 8, 1897, and the paper lived 
 until June, 1898, when, through lack of financial support, it sus- 
 pended. It was a bright, newsy sheet, covering points of general 
 interest in college news, as well as athletics. About this time two 
 other organizations were started, which did much to help in general 
 
 Barns, creamery, horticultural building, and Prof. Alwood's residence, 
 
 1894-95. 
 
 college life. A dramatic club, under the name of "Puffs and Queues," 
 was developed through the influence of Dr. and Mrs. Sheib and the 
 Misses Patton, aided by some of the best talent among the students. 
 Some excellent selections were successfully attempted, some that had 
 run well on the boards of large theaters, such as "Charley's aunt," 
 "All on account of a sandwich," etc. The "Thespian Club" had not 
 discontinued, but it was composed entirely of students. The need for 
 a good orchestra called to the front a small group of music lovers, 
 including some of the ladies of the faculty, and for three sessions 
 these worked together, with some additions, developing an orchestra 
 of no mean merit. The original members were: Miss Margaret Pat- 
 ton, piano; Mrs. W. D. Saunders, violin; Frank Carper, violin; Joe 
 Brown, cornet; "Bill" Cox, bass horn; "Chess" Brown, double bass 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 21 
 
 fiddle; Professor Smyth, clarinet. Later, Mr. Jackson, violin, and H. 
 C. Michie, clarinet, were added; and during the last year of the exist- 
 ence of the orchestra, Mrs. R. C. Price was pianist, and "Jack" EofF, 
 violinist. The bass violin purchased by this orchestra is still doing 
 duty in the orchestra. 
 
 On May 17, 1898, field-day was again observed, though again 
 without much preliminary training-. Curtis Rorebeck easily won first 
 place as best all-around athlete, and Cannon and Bean (now Dr. R. 
 Bennett Bean, of the University of Virginia) tied for the second 
 place. 
 
 This was the year of the Spanish-American war, and "The Co- 
 hee" for April, 1898, contains a copy of a communication to Governor 
 Hoge Tyler from the corps, tendering- their services in a body for the 
 defense of their country, and petitioning that the Governor request 
 the U. S. War Department, in the event of the acceptance of the offer 
 of the corps, to detail Lieutenant Shanks as commandant of the corps. 
 This petition is signed by 
 
 J. B. Danforth, Capt. Co. D. 
 J. A. Burruss, Capt. Battery E. 
 Benjamin Harrison, Capt. Co. B. 
 Edward Graham, Capt. Co. C. 
 J. S. A. Johnson, Capt. Co. A. 
 
 The corps, however, was not called on, and Colonel Shanks, who had 
 been our commandant for four years, was ordered for duty elsewhere, 
 eventually winning laurels as commandant of Iloilo in the Philippines. 
 Many of the boys entered service in the army, and nearly the whole of 
 the band were on duty in camp in Florida. 
 
 During this session a cannery was erected near the creamery. 
 This preserved the products from the horticultural grounds for use in 
 the mess and for sale also. 
 
 Rev. George T. Gray, our senior chaplain, died on October 29, and 
 w r as buried with military honors. 
 
 Dr. A. T. Finch ('92) was appointed commandant of cadets and 
 assistant professor of physiology and materia medica. 
 
 Dr. Roop resigning, Dr. Charles M. McCulloch was appointed 
 assistant professor of veterinary science and state veterinarian. As- 
 sistant Professor Parrott was made adjunct professor, and Mr. C. D. 
 Taliaferro was made secretary to the president. Mr. J. P. Harvey 
 resigned as leader of the band, being on duty in Florida, and Mr. 
 Frank Carper was appointed in his place. 
 
 Attendance this session, 333. 
 
 Session of 1898-99. In July Mr. D. O. Matthews was made mar- 
 shal. In August Dr. E. E. Sheib and Professor Walker Hurt resigned. 
 Dr. R. H. Hudnall was elected to the chair of English, and Mr. G. W. 
 Walker was appointed assistant professor of mathematics, English 
 and Latin. The department of electrical engineering and physics was 
 divided and Mr. C. E. Vawter, a son of the rector of the board of vis- 
 
22 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 itors, was appointed acting professor of mathematics and physics. 
 Mr. A. W. Drinkard was made secretary of the faculty. 
 
 A refrigerating- plant was erected in connection with the wooden 
 creamery building. Up to this date the college was supplied with ice 
 from the ice-pond, all the faculty subscribing to the expense of the 
 underground ice-house, which was about opposite the house now occu- 
 pied by Dr. Watson. Later, two ice-houses were built "under the 
 spreading chestnut tree," still alive, near the Y. M. C. A. building. 
 These were discontinued when the refrigerating plant was built. 
 
 Captain C. E. Vawter, who had been rector of the board since the 
 reorganization of the college in 1890, and who had served the college 
 for fourteen years, resigned, and Mr. J. Thompson Brown was 
 appointed rector in his stead. 
 
 On June 20, 1899, was laid the corner-stone of the Y. M. C. A. 
 building, a triumph to the devotion and energy of Mr. Lawrence 
 Priddy, who had traveled north and south to secure the funds there- 
 for. The building was constructed by Mr. Wesley Gray, of Blacks- 
 burg. 
 
 Attendance this session, 303. 
 
 Session of 1899-1900. The offices of the president, commandant, 
 and treasurer were moved in September from Academic Building No. 
 1 to the rock house, occupied at one time as a residence by Professor 
 Morton, and later by Professor Alwood. The latter moved to the 
 house built for him in the old orchard, now the residence of Dr. Wat- 
 son. On the night of February 14, 1900, the rock house was destroyed 
 by fire, in spite of the efforts of the fire brigade. The wind was blow- 
 ing a gale and the thermometer was about ten degrees above zero. 
 Colonel Finch managed to break into his office on the ground floor and 
 save his records. The contents of the college safe, including the class 
 records, were subsequently found intact, though the safe had fallen 
 through into the basement. The executive offices were then moved to 
 the house formerly occupied by Professor Christian, and later always 
 known as the commandant's house, which at this date was not in use, 
 as Colonel Finch was living elsewhere. 
 
 A bond issue of $100,000 was authorized by the Legislature for 
 buildings and equipment. During the spring the outbuildings and 
 fences of the old Christian house (now the commandant's house) were 
 removed and the grounds thrown into the campus. On April 1, Dr. 
 John Spencer, of Canada, was appointed to succeed Dr. McCulloch. 
 
 In May, the corps, under Colonel Finch, attended the carnival in 
 Richmond, was quartered in the auditorium at the fair grounds and 
 took part in the parade. 
 
 In June, Dr. Finch resigned, and Mr. J. S. A. Johnson ('98) was 
 appointed assistant professor of mechanical engineering and military 
 science, and commandant of cadets. Dr. F. D. Wilson ('94) was made 
 instructor in chemistry. Instructors Conner and Rasche were pro- 
 moted to the rank of assistant professor. Mr. Frank Carper resigned 
 as director of the band and Mr. J. P. Harvey was reappointed. Mr. 
 John Shultz was appointed mess steward. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 23 
 
 A uniform department was created with Mr. T. J. Walsh, formerly 
 first assistant cutter at West Point, as superintendent. The depart- 
 ment was assigned the Starkey house, recently purchased, and later 
 used as a residence for Dr. Barlow. Now, completely rebuilt, this 
 house is occupied by Professor Stahl. The Camper property to the 
 west of the mess hall was purchased, and a wooden house was erected 
 for Mr. Shultz. This is now occupied by Mr. Owens. 
 
 Attendance, 343. 
 
 Session of 1900-1901. Professor Pritchard's house was finished 
 in September and a new brick dormitory (No. 3) of four stories and 
 sixty rooms was completed, thus finishing the south side of the front 
 quadrangle. 
 
 A stone structure to the north of the dormitories, on the site of 
 the baseball grounds of 1890-91, was completed during the fall for use 
 as a heating-plant, and in April the electric light plant was moved 
 from the machine shop and installed in this building. This furnished 
 power for the campus and town lights, and steam heat for the dormi- 
 tories, Science Hall and Y. M. C. A. building. 
 
 The corps, under Colonel Johnson, attended in June the Pan- 
 American Exposition in Buffalo, being quartered in tents on the expo- 
 sition grounds. The boys returned on June 9, before Commencement. 
 
 In June, Dr. F. D. Wilson and Mr. H. L. Price ('98) were pro- 
 moted to assistant professorships, and Assistant Waddell was made an 
 instructor. The following new appointments were made: A. P. 
 Spencer, of Canada, instructor in animal husbandry; S. B. Andrews, 
 machine work, and H. M. Faulkner, forge and foundry. 
 
 Attendance, 386. 
 
 The Willis property, west of the mess hall, was purchased and the 
 house remodeled for a dwelling for Mr. D. O. Matthews. This is now 
 the residence of Professor Gudheim. 
 
 Session of 1901-1902. The athletic and parade grounds, which 
 in 1894 had been located on a part of the grounds to the southwest of 
 Professor Campbell's house (which stood between the present library 
 and the field house), were increased by a further grant of land from 
 the horticultural tract, and the department of horticulture was given 
 25 acres across the stream west of the ice-pond. No attempt had as 
 yet been made to grade and level the athletic field, which sloped grad- 
 ually to the south, as may now be seen by the slope at the field house, 
 and the bank at the south end of the field. 
 
 The new building erected as a science hall was sufficiently com- 
 pleted for occupation, and housed the departments of chemistry, geol- 
 ogy, biology, and physics, with electrical engineering in the basement. 
 The Y. M. C. A. building was opened in September, with Mr. H. J. Mc- 
 Intyre, of Salem, as general secretary. The First Academic building, 
 vacated by the removal of the administrative offices and the chemical 
 department, was assigned to civil and mechanical engineering and 
 drawing, and contained also the armory. The Second Academic build- 
 ing, after the removal of the departments of biology, physics, and 
 electrical engineering was assigned to English and modern languages 
 
24 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 on the main floor and basement. The Lee and Maury Societies, and 
 the library, as heretofore, still occupied the second floor, the lofty 
 ceilings of which were then on a level with the eaves of the building. 
 
 On April 1, the corps of five infantry companies, the battery, 
 band and drum-corps, left Christiansburg under the command of 
 Colonel Johnson for the exposition in Charleston, S. C. The president, 
 Dr. McBryde, and a number of the faculty and others accompanied 
 the corps. On arrival in Charleston the corps was quartered on the 
 exposition grounds. In spite of a cold, raw spell of weather, there 
 were many enjoyable incidents, and the daily exhibition drills on the 
 grounds were highly complimented and attracted crowds of specta- 
 tors. Through the influence of Mayor Smyth, the corps was assigned 
 an important position in the parade which escorted President Roose- 
 velt through the city to the exposition grounds, where the President of 
 the United States reviewed the trooys. The many bands in the parade 
 played various marches, mostly national, as they passed in review. As 
 V. P. I. drew near the balcony in which the president stood, Mayor 
 Smyth said to him, "Now here come my boys." At that moment, as 
 though preconcerted, our band struck up "Dixie" — the only time it 
 had been played on the march. The president's characteristic smile 
 was all that could be seen of his face, as he waved enthusiastically to 
 the corps, and the crowd went wild. 
 
 In the latter part of April President McBryde moved into the new 
 house in the grove, still the president's house, and the outbuildings and 
 fences around the old house were removed preparatory to converting 
 this into the infirmary. 
 
 This being the tenth year of Dr. McBryde's administration, a 
 movement was started, with Dr. F. D. Wilson as chairman, for a de- 
 cennial celebration at Commencement. With the hearty approval and 
 cooperation of alumni and former students sufficient funds were 
 raised to purchase tablets to the memory of Professors Fitts and 
 Christian, and to have painted a fine portrait of Dr. McBryde by 
 Bransom. At Commencement, Dr. W. E. Dodd ('95), now of the Uni- 
 versity of Chicago, in behalf of the alumni, presented the portrait of 
 Dr. McBryde; Judge W. M. Pierce ('84) presented the tablet com- 
 memorative of Professor Christian; and Rev. E. P. Miner ('93), the 
 tablet in memory of Professor Fitts. This portrait and two tablets 
 are now on the walls of the library. A duplicate of the portrait was 
 presented to Dr. McBryde by the students and faculty. 
 
 In June Assistant Professor Spencer succeeded Dr. Niles, resigned, 
 as professor of veterinary medicine; Adjunct Professor Parrott was 
 made professor; Assistant Professor J. S. A. Johnson was promoted 
 to be professor of military science and tactics and adjunct professor 
 of mechanical engineering; and the following were promoted from 
 assistant professor to adjunct professor: W. D. Saunders, G. W. 
 Walker, F. D. Wilson ('94), and H. L. Price ('98), and Instructor A. 
 W. Drinkard ('93) was made assistant professor. New appointments: 
 Dr. Meade Ferguson ('96), assistant professor of agriculture; Dr. J. 
 G. Ferneyhough ('98), assistant professor of veterinary science and 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 25 
 
 state veterinarian; W. M. Brodie ('01), assistant in mathematics and 
 first assistant commandant; T. G. Wood ('01), second assistant com- 
 mandant; J. F. Strauss ('94), assistant in drawing; C. P. Miles ('01), 
 assistant in French and German; J. L. Phillips ('97), assistant state 
 entomologist and pathologist; and C. D. Taliaferro, registrar. 
 
 During the session a system of sewerage, with sewage disposal 
 plant was completed. This system is now no longer in use. The house 
 and grounds now occupied by Professor Campbell had been the old 
 Francisco place, and in the early '90s had been rented as an infirmary 
 by the college. Subsequently it had been bought and enlarged by Mr. 
 Hampton Hoge, and the handsome boxwood avenue in front of the 
 house cut down. This house, with six acres of land, was now pur- 
 chased by the college and assigned to Professor Campbell as a resi- 
 dence. 
 
 Attendance, 472. 
 
 Session of 1902-03. In September, Professor Campbell's old resi- 
 dence, formerly occupied by Dr. Martin P. Scott and later by Profes- 
 sor Fitts, was fitted up and assigned to the department of agriculture 
 for lecture and laboratory rooms. The outbuildings and fences were 
 removed and the grounds thrown into the campus. As before stated, 
 this house was torn down when the building now used as a library 
 was erected as the auditorium, and its material was used to construct 
 a house for Dr. Hudnall, now occupied by Professor Burkhart. Pro- 
 fessor Parrott's residence was also built on the recently purchased 
 Gitt property, and Professor Lee's house, built largely of material 
 from the old Effinger house (once used as an infirmary, in 1891), was 
 erected, largely by Professor Lee himself. The college post-office and 
 book-room was established in the marshal's office and an adjoining 
 room in Barrack No. 1. Professor Alwood's new residence, in the old 
 "Solitude" orchard, was completed in the fall. It was then the next 
 house in faculty row, south of the house now occupied by Dr. New- 
 man, and the next south of it was the old "Solitude" mansion, then 
 occupied by Professor Nourse, and now by Professor Saunders. Dr. 
 Watson now occupies the Alwood house. 
 
 In June, 1903, the new office of dean of the faculty was created, 
 and Professor Smyth, who had for some time been performing the 
 duties usually assigned to such an office, was made officially dean of 
 the faculty, being the first occupant of the office. Dr. J. E. Williams 
 was elected adjunct professor of mathematics and Mr. H. L. Wilson, 
 of geology and mineralogy; Mr. J. B. McBryde, assistant professor of 
 organic chemistry, and Dr. C. M. Newman, of English; the following 
 instructors were apponted: G. L. Fentress, mathematics; J. R. C. 
 Brown, Spanish and history; and P. H. Eley, English and Spanish; 
 and J. H. Gibboney ('01), assistant in analytical chemistry and 
 assistant chemist at the experiment station. Promotions were made 
 as follows: assistant professor to adjunct professor, Messrs. Conner 
 ('92), Rasche, Ferguson ('96) ; assistant to instructor, Messrs. Brodie, 
 Wood, Miles, and Moncure, the latter all alumni. 
 
 Attendance this session, 627. 
 
26 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 Session of 1903-04. In August, Miss M. G. Lacy was appointed 
 librarian, and Major B. R. Selden, registrar, to succeed Mr. C. D. Tal- 
 iaferro, who died in July. A brick building was completed with a 
 lower floor for the laundry department and an upper floor for the 
 tailor shop. This is the building now used entirely for the laundry 
 department. The old Starkey cottage, used as a tailor shop, was 
 assigned to the state entomologist, J. R. Phillips, for office and labora- 
 tories. 
 
 BHHI 
 
 ■"-"■""• ' """" 
 
 m *' u * - "iiHinmiiMn 
 
 
 . 
 
 The beginning of "faculty row," 1895. Ice-house on left end, Prof. 
 R. C. Price's house, later removed to make way for the shops building, 
 
 on right. 
 
 This session saw the birth of "The Virginia Tech," the delayed 
 successor to the short-lived "Cohee." "The Tech" was the official 
 organ of the athletic association, and started with Professor J. B. Mc- 
 Bryde as editor-in-chief, the associate editors being four faculty mem- 
 bers and a representative from each of the classes. The first issue 
 appeared on October 7, 1903. The bleachers were also erected on the 
 athletic grounds through the activity of "The Tech" and presented to 
 the association. 
 
 The old rock house, first a residence and then used as an admin- 
 istration building, which was destroyed by fire on February 14, 1900, 
 was rebuilt and enlarged and reoccupied by the executive department 
 in April, 1904. It contained the offices of the president, dean, com- 
 mandant, registrar, and secretary, and the fireproof vault. 
 
 On April 19, President McBryde was unanimously elected presi- 
 dent of the University of Virginia by its board of visitors, being the 
 first president-elect of the University. Dr. McBryde, however, declin- 
 ed the honor, stating his reasons in full in a letter addressed to the 
 board, extracts from which letter were published in the daily papers 
 of the state. It will be of interest also to mention here that in 1893 
 
Virginia Poi.ytkchnic Institi tk 
 
 27 
 
 President Grover Cleveland had offered to Dr. McBryde the secretary- 
 ship of agriculture, but he declined it, feeling that duty required him 
 to remain at Blacksburg while matters here were still in a formative 
 condition. 
 
 In May the corps left for the St. Louis exposition. It took two 
 sections to carry the party of 554 people. The first section carried the 
 six companies of infant ry, and on the second were the band, battery, 
 signal corps, drum and bugle corps, staff, postgraduates and former 
 students. Although there was much rain during the stay at the ex- 
 position grounds, the general verdict was that it was the most success- 
 ful trip ever taken by the corps. Of the large number of military 
 organizations at the exposition from all parts of the country, the uni- 
 versal opinion was that our cadets ranked easily next to those from 
 West Point. The corps returned on June 8, just before Commence- 
 ment. 
 
 The original Thespian Club, 1894-95. 
 
 The following promotions were made in the faculty: adjunct 
 professor to professor, Drs. Williams and Wilson and Professors 
 Walker and H. L. Price; assistant professor to adjunct professor, Dr. 
 Newman; assistant to instructors, J. H. Gibboney, H. L. Davidson, 
 and L. O'Shaughnessy. Resignations: Messrs. H. L. Wilson, J. R. C. 
 Brown, and P. H. Eley. Appointments: Dr. T. L. Watson, professor 
 of geology; Mr. A. M. Soule, professor of animal husbandry; Mr. F. 
 H. Abbott, assistant professor of English; Mr. J. R. Fain, assistant 
 professor of agronomy; Mr. Hugh L. W T orthington, instructor in 
 modern languages; and Mr. P. 0. Vanatter, instructor in agronomy. 
 
 Attendance this session, 727. 
 
28 
 
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 The college was now organized into four departments, each with 
 its own faculty and dean: academic department, Professor T. P. 
 Campbell, dean; scientific department, Professor R. J. Davidson, dean; 
 engineering department, Colonel William M. Patton, dean; agricul- 
 tural department, Professor A. M. Soule, dean. An executive council 
 was formed, consisting of the president, Dean Smyth as dean of the 
 faculty, Commandant J. S. A. Johnson, and the deans of the four de- 
 partments. Professor Soule was appointed director of the experiment 
 station, and Mr. W. B. Ellett ('94), assistant chemist at the station. 
 On June 18, Professor R. C. Price resigned the chair of industrial 
 chemistry and metallurgy. 
 
 i ' 
 
 The cadet battalion in 1895, Lt. Shanks (now Major-General Shanks) 
 
 in command. 
 
 During the summer, the sloping hill between Barracks 3 and 5 
 was cut down and faced with a heavy stone wall, approached by a 
 flight of stone steps. Later, it was found necessary to guard the par- 
 apet with the present heavy iron railing, to prevent accidents. Dr. 
 Smyth's residence, between the Alwood house and the ice-pond, was 
 completed and occupied in September. 
 
 Through the influence of Professor Randolph, the railroad which 
 the Virginia Anthracite and Railway Company had constructed from 
 Christiansburg to Merrimac Mines, was completed through to Blacks- 
 burg, and the arrival of the first passenger train on the morning of 
 September 15, 1904, was a great event to town and college. Primitive 
 as the road was then, and absurd as was the packing-box of a depot, 
 the visitor of today has no idea of the tremendous boon it was. There 
 were no autos in those days — at least not around Blacksburg — and 
 even if there had been any, the road from Christiansburg had not been 
 graded to even what it now is, and it was not metalled save imper- 
 fectly for a short distance. It was often actually impassable, even on 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 29 
 
 foot, during the winter and early spring months. Hack lines of 
 archaic types connected Blacksburg with the outer world, and the fine 
 macadam road of today was not existent even in dreams. As one 
 looks back, it is a wonder how we managed. Now that the Norfolk 
 and Western Railroad has built us the modern depot and given us a 
 good service, one often smiles at the recollection of the old "Huckle- 
 berry," with its wheezy engine and its one composite coach and bag- 
 gage car. 
 
 Session of 1901-0."). The new auditorium being now under con- 
 struction, the Commencement hall, over the mess, was turned over to 
 the dining department to hold the large overflow of students, and the 
 four-story brick annex completed in September came into immediate 
 use. This contained, as now, the steward's office, the private mess, 
 store-rooms, bakery, etc., and eleven rooms on the fourth floor were 
 known as the "Y. M. C. A. annex," and were used as a dormitory. A 
 large addition was made to the machine shops (the old Preston-Olin 
 building, used as a dormitory in 1888). This addition made a quad- 
 rangle with a small court in the center, the old building being the 
 northwest side of the square. Dormitory No. 5 was completed in Jan- 
 uary. 
 
 On February 1, the schedules were changed, starting at 8:20 in 
 the morning and running to 12:20, each class period being for fifty 
 minutes, and the laboratory hours were from 1:30 to 3:45 in the after- 
 noon, with military drill from 3:45 to 4:30. 
 
 A large stock barn and two cottages were completed for the de- 
 partment of agriculture. 
 
 On the night of February 22, 1905, the science hall was totally 
 destroyed by fire. The day having been a holiday, the building was 
 not in use that day, and when after midnight the fire was discovered 
 it was beyond control. Very little of the equipment was saved. The 
 loss to the institution was about $30,000, not including the severe loss 
 individually to the professors in books, manuscripts, and private col- 
 lections, w r hich latter losses were of course never made good. It was 
 due to the heroic efforts of the students, particularly of Cadet D. B. 
 Hines, that the adjoining barrack building, and possibly the whole of 
 that side of the quadrangle, were saved from burning. At the risk of 
 his life Mr. Hines lay, head down and projecting over the steep slop- 
 ing roof of Barrack No. 4, held by other students, and applied wet 
 blankets and water to the scorching wood-work of the barrack's win- 
 dows and eaves. In recognition of his gallantry, Mr. Hines was pre- 
 sented with a gold medal, and all his fees were remitted. Although 
 some demoralization from the fire might have been excusable, imme- 
 diate steps were taken to accommodate the departments now without 
 a home; vacant rooms in barrack No. 4 were called into use as class 
 and laboratory rooms, and with some doubling up classes were re- 
 sumed in a couple of days. 
 
 The stone building designed for an auditorium (now the library) 
 being completed in time, Commencement exercises were held therein. 
 The wing of the building, now used for the tailor shop upstairs and 
 
30 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 dwelling and library office rooms below, was fitted up with accommo- 
 dations on the lower floor for the board of visitors on their official 
 visits, and the large room upstairs was faculty meeting room. A new 
 science hall was started on the foundations of the burnt building, to 
 be similar to the first. The construction was in the hands of Mr. D. O. 
 Matthews, who had built the first one and also the auditorium and 
 other buildings put up while he was superintendent of grounds. The 
 old farm barns, handed down, with additions, from the old days when 
 "Solitude" was the Preston home, were torn down, and the founda- 
 tions were laid for the present stone agricultural hall, intended orig- 
 inally for the departments of agriculture, horticulture, and veterinary 
 medicine only; now overcrowded beyond its capacity with numerous 
 other departments. At this same time, the early summer of 1906, the 
 wooden experiment barn was started, on the experiment plats, where 
 it now stands. A new brick residence was completed in June for Pro- 
 fessor Soule. This is now occupied by Dr. Chrisman. 
 
 The courses of instruction had at this date expanded to nine, 
 namely, agriculture, horticulture, applied chemistry, applied geology, 
 preparatory medicine, general science, civil, mechanical, and electrical 
 engineering, each of four years' duration, and leading to the B. S. de- 
 gree. 
 
 The athletic association, organized by the corps in 1891, was, until 
 1901, under the control of student management. In 1901 a system of 
 graduate management was inaugurated and proved very satisfactory. 
 In 1903 a complete reorganization was effected, with Mr. J. H. Gib- 
 boney ('01) as graduate manager. The athletic council was composed 
 of two members of the faculty committee, two student members (one 
 a postgraduate and one a member of the senior class), the graduate 
 manager, and the treasurer. Professor H. L. Price ('98) was elected 
 permanent treasurer. Football games were arranged with the leading 
 Northern colleges, such as West Point, Dartmouth, and Annapolis. 
 It was under Mr. Gibboney's management that the team was developed 
 which beat the West Point team 16 to 6 at West Point, and also the 
 same season beat the University of Virginia 11 to on Lambeth Field. 
 This famous team was composed of the following men : 
 
 Harlan fullback 
 
 Carpenter right halfback 
 
 Treadwell left halfback 
 
 Nutter quarterback 
 
 Stiles center 
 
 Stickling right guard 
 
 Cunningham left guard 
 
 Hynes right tackle 
 
 Wilson left tackle 
 
 Lewis ( captain ) right end 
 
 Webber left end 
 
 Hanvey, Cox, Harris, Hildebrand, Diffendall and Lawson were substi- 
 tutes. Professor C. P. Miles coached the team, with Mr. Hunter Car- 
 penter, who also played at right half. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 31 
 
 On May 26, L905, the college suffered a severe loss in the death of 
 Colonel William M. Patton, professor of civil engineering and dean of 
 the engineering department. 
 
 Attendance this session. 728. 
 
 Session of 1905-06. The new science hall was ready for occu- 
 pancy during October of this fall. Externally similar, it had some 
 internal improvements upon the old building. 
 
 The following changes occurred among- the college officers: resig- 
 nations: Secretary Jackson, Y. M. C. A.; Assistant Faulkner, in forge 
 work; J. P. Harvey, musical director; and Miss Maud Needham, clerk 
 to the executive council. Appointments: J. A. Armstrong, secretary, 
 Y. M. C. A.; J. B. Teany, assistant, in forge work; H. D. McTier, 
 musical director; Miss Louise Nielson, clerk to the executive council; 
 ami Miss Virginia Patton, clerk to the commandant. Colonel R. A. 
 Marr was elected professor of civil engineering, and appointed dean 
 of the engineering department. 
 
 A hazing episode at the opening of this term caused a profound 
 stir through the prominence of those drawn into the matter, and re- 
 sulted in an investigation by the Legislature. This was the famous 
 Christian case. It came to a very sudden termination by the hasty 
 withdrawal of the charges against the faculty by the prosecution, 
 after the first meeting of the investigating committee. 
 
 On account of ill health Dr. McBryde was ordered to Jamaica by 
 his physician, in the early winter, leaving the rector, Mr. J. Thompson 
 Brown, as the official head of the institution, with Professors Camp- 
 bell and Smyth jointly acting as president on the grounds. 
 
 Mr. Jarnigan was appointed instructor in animal husbandry. 
 Messrs. H. L. Davidson and A. P. Spencer resigned as instructors in 
 chemistry. 
 
 In March the Legislature appropriated funds for the completion 
 of the agricultural hall and to pay the debt incurred in rebuilding the 
 science hall. 
 
 The first meeting in the South of the student volunteer movement, 
 held in Nashville, Tennessee, was attended by delegates from the V. 
 P. I. For the second time in its history, Arbor Day was observed at 
 V. P. I., Dr. Hudnall officiating. The first Field Day in three years 
 was held on May 11. Professor Smyth was the official representative 
 of V. P. I. at the ceremonies attending the installation of the presi- 
 dent of the University of Alabama on the 75th anniversary of the 
 founding of that institution. 
 
 Dr. McBryde returned from the tropics after Commencement, on 
 June 18, and resumed his duties. Mr. Armstrong resigned as secre- 
 tary of the Y. M. C. A., and Mr. A. S. Johnston was appointed. The 
 following changes occurred in July: Professor Smyth resigned as 
 dean of the faculty to devote his time to the duties of his department; 
 Colonel J. S. A. Johnson resigned as commandant to confine himself 
 to the engineering department; Captain G. H. Jamerson, of the 29th 
 U. S. Infantry, was detailed by the War Department and appointed 
 commandant; and Professor D. C. Nourse resigned as professor of 
 
32 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 agronomy. Mr. J. J. Davis was promoted from assistant to instructor 
 in French. 
 
 In July it was decided to allow the corps to attend the approach- 
 ing Jamestown exposition, and to have the institution represented by 
 a creditable exhibit. 
 
 One thousand members of the State Farmers' Institute, held in 
 Roanoke, visited the college on July 10, coming from all parts of the 
 state. 
 
 In August, Instructors J. M. Johnson, J. H. Gibboney, G. L. Fen- 
 tress and L. O'Shaughnessy resigned. The appointment of Captain 
 Jamerson as commandant was confirmed; C. M. Mast was appointed 
 instructor in physics; J. R. Lewis, assistant in foundry; and H. D. 
 McTier, assistant in wood work and band director. Dr. Newman was 
 granted leave of absence on the first cf May and spent four months 
 recuperating and studying in Europe, returning late in August. 
 
 During the session, Professor Abbott developed a very creditable 
 glee club which added much to the social life. The session of the col- 
 lege was changed for the next year from a semester to a trimester 
 system. 
 
 Attendance this session, 619. 
 
 Session of 1906-07. Beginning with this session the control and 
 editing of "The Tech" was placed entirely in the hands of student 
 management. 
 
 The following appointments were made: H. Gudheim, instructor in 
 graphics; T. G. Wood ('06), assistant in chemistry and third assistant 
 commandant; W. G. Myers ('05), assistant in surveying and fourth 
 assistant commandant. Miss Hannas, with Miss Garrison assisting, 
 were appointed nurses in charge of the infirmary. 
 
 In October, 1906, Dr. McBryde submitted his resignation as pres- 
 ident, and it was accepted to take effect at the close of the session. 
 
 A new eight-ton refrigerating plant and cold storage room was 
 ordered built as part of the wooden creamery building. Arrangements 
 were made for exhibits at the Jamestown exposition. A concrete cellar 
 was completed east of the agricultural hall for fermentation experi- 
 ments. 
 
 This session saw the birth of the "Agricultural Journal/' pub- 
 lished by the agricultural students, and which lived for two years. 
 
 Early in January the new agricultural hall was completed and 
 arrangements made for removing the creamery from the old wooden 
 building to the basement of this new hall, where the creamery is now 
 situated. The greenhouses and heating-plant to the rear were also 
 finished. The old veterinary building which stood by what is now Dr. 
 Williams's residence, was removed to its present site. 
 
 In January, the board conferred upon Dr. McBryde the honorary 
 degree of Doctor of Science and elected him president emeritus with 
 all the privileges of a professor of the institute. Dr. McBryde was 
 also placed on the Carnegie Foundation. 
 
 Professor R. J. Davidson was elected consulting chemist at the 
 experiment station, and Harper Dean was appointed assistant state 
 entomologist. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 33 
 
 The old building, used in turn as a residence by Professors Scott, 
 Pitts, and Campbell, and later as an agricultural hall, was ordered 
 torn down. The wooden creamery was fitted up as a dormitory for 
 the students working on the farm. Some time later, after its disuse, 
 this building was a victim to incendiarism. 
 
 The corps decided to abolish the use of monogram caps. 
 
 Dr. T. L. Watson resigned as geologist to accept the chair of 
 geology in the University of Virginia, and Dr. Holden, assistant pro- 
 fessor of geology, continued in charge of that department. Professor 
 A. M. Soule resigned in April as director of the station, and accepted 
 a position in Georgia. 
 
 Colonel Marr erected in front of the academic buildings the con- 
 crete pillar upon which are placed the exact points of the compas and 
 the elevation of the campus above sea-level. 
 
 On May 30, Dr. Paul B. Barringer, of the University of Virginia, 
 was unanimously elected president by the board. 
 
 Finals closed on June 2, on account of the Jamestown exposition, 
 which was attended by the corps. 
 
 Attendance this session, 577. 
 
 When Dr. McBryde took charge in June, 1891, the new adminis- 
 tration found on hand to begin with: two brick academic buildings; 
 one brick dormitory; the old Preston-Olin building, converted into a 
 poorly-equipped shop building; two old wooden buildings (one, a small 
 one, used as a shop, the other semi-ruinous) ; and five professors' 
 houses — eleven buildings in all. There were practically no shops or 
 laboratories; no water works, sewerage, public hall, infirmary, laun- 
 dry, or adequate lighting system. The small campus of about ten 
 acres in front of the buildings was used as a hay meadow and there 
 were scarcely any walks or driveways. 
 
 Not a dollar of income was allowed by the State, not even for in- 
 surance or repairs, the scanty income being wholly derived from the 
 Federal grant. During Dr. McBryde's sixteen years of administration 
 special appropriations were secured from the State amounting to 
 $332,750, in addition to the annual sums allowed for insurance, re- 
 pairs and maintenance. 
 
 To show for this sum, eight separate purchases of land, between 
 sixty and seventy acres in all, were made, 27 industrial plants and 
 other similar improvements were established, 6 old buildings were 
 renovated, 67 new buildings (25 brick, 4 stone, 5 iron, 33 wooden) were 
 erected, 26 laboratories, 25 lecture-rooms, 18 offices, 9 halls, etc., fitted 
 up and equipped — 186 improvements in all — the campus was extended 
 to about 75 acres, 2,000 ornamental trees were set out, and several 
 miles of cinder walks, avenues and drives were made. Many small 
 buildings and improvements are not herein included. In addition, a 
 handsome stone Y. M. C. A. building was erected and furnished, 
 largely through the efforts of the faculty and students. The attend- 
 
34 
 
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 ance for the first session, 1891-92, was only 135; this gradually in- 
 creased, reaching the maximum in 1904-05 of 728, more than the 
 equipment of the college could handle successfully. The first grad- 
 uating class, of 1892, numbered four men; in the closing years of Dr. 
 McBryde's administration the graduating class averaged upwards of 
 80, and in the last year the teachers numbered 56 and other officers 
 21. The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College had become 
 the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. 
 
 The team that first won from V. M. I., at Lynchburg, score 6-4. 
 colors were then black and gray. 1895. 
 
 The 
 
The Presidents of the first thirty-five years. 
 
36 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT BARRINGER 
 
 In July, 1907, changes in the faculty took place as follows: 
 Resignations: Professor Fain and Instructors Moncure, Vanatter, 
 Robeson and Jarnigan; promotions: from assistant professor to pro- 
 fessor, Messrs. Saunders, Conner, Rasche, McBryde, J. S. A. Johnson, 
 Newman, Barlow, and Ferguson; from assistant professor to adjunct 
 professor, Messrs. Holden and Abbott; from instructor to associate 
 professor, Mr. Worthington; from instructor to assistant professor, 
 Messrs. Lee ('96), Brodie ('01), T. G. Wood ('01), and Miles ('01). 
 Appointments: H. S. Peyton, farm manager; T. B. Hutcheson ('06), 
 instructor in agronomy; E. B. Fred ('07), instructor in mycology; J. 
 M. Johnson, instructor in foundry. In August, Miss Ethel Lacy was 
 made assistant librarian, Dr. W. J. Quick was elected professor of 
 agriculture and dean of the agricultural department; and A. B. 
 Spencer ('05) was made associate professor of animal husbandry. 
 
 Session of 1907-08. Faculty changes: resignations: Professor 
 Campbell as dean of the academic department, to confine his atten- 
 tions to the department of modern languages; T. G. Wood, as assistant 
 professor of biology and assistant commandant; Dr. Meade Ferguson, 
 to become state bacteriologist at Richmond; and E. B. Fred, instructor 
 in mycology to accept the position of assistant bacteriologist at the 
 experiment station. Dr. Barlow was made dean of the graduate de- 
 partment, and Dr. S. W. Fletcher was elected director of the experi- 
 ment station. Professor Saunders accepted the position of state food 
 and dairy commissioner, retaining, however, his position as director 
 of the V. P. I. creamery. Dr. Quick resigned as dean of the agricul- 
 tural department and Professor H. L. Price was appointed in his place. 
 Dr. Fletcher assumed his duties in January. W. K. Brainerd was 
 appointed professor of dairying, and Lyman Carrier, of agronomy. 
 J. B. Fogleman was appointed stenographer to Dr. Fletcher, and 
 Robert C. Ellett assistant to the treasurer and secretary of the fac- 
 ulty, succeeding Courtney Williams, resigned. Dr. Howard C.,Reed 
 was elected professor of plant pathology and pathologist at the exper- 
 iment station, and Professor O. C. Burkhart was elected to the new 
 chair of mining engineering. Dr. A. W. Drinkard was made assistant 
 horticulturist at the experiment station. 
 
 During the year Professor Randolph designed a "lift bridge" for 
 the "Huckleberry" crossing at Merrimac, over the Virginian Railroad. 
 The bridge was designed in twenty-four hours and erected in seven 
 days. 
 
 A branch library was established in the agricultural hall, and a 
 concrete walk was built from Barrack No. 1 to the dining hall, pass- 
 ing in front of Academic Building No. 1, and replacing the old cinder 
 walk. The department of biology moved from science hall to the agri- 
 cultural building, its former rooms in science hall being added to those 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 37 
 
 of the physios department. A model dairy barn and four smaller 
 buildings for individual animals were erected back of the experiment 
 barn and plats for experiments in curative treatment of bovine tuber- 
 culosis. 
 
 The first basketball team of the V. P. I. was formed, largely 
 through the activity o\' Cadet Hargrove. 
 
 Governor Swanson honored the college with his presence at Com- 
 mencement. 
 
 Attendance this session, 546. 
 
 Faculty row in center, horticultural building at left and 
 buildings at right, 1896. 
 
 main 
 
 Session of 1908-09. This session saw many changes. A school 
 for apprentices was established along agricultural lines, with Profes- 
 sor G. W. Walker as head-master. Entrance requirements to the col- 
 lege were raised in English and mathematics. Spanish was substi- 
 tuted for Latin, of co-ordinate value with French and German, and 
 the modern language course was made a three-year course in one lan- 
 guage. Mining engineering was established. The schedule was 
 changed to four morning fifty-minute periods for recitations and one 
 hour for military, with a three-hour practical laboratory period in the 
 afternoon. The three lower years were designed for general academic 
 and fundamental preparation, and the senior year was devoted ex- 
 clusively to intensive specialistic work. The graduate department 
 with Dr. Barlow as dean was made one of the five regular college de- 
 partments. The executive council was abolished, its duties being as- 
 sumed by the president, commandant, secretary of the faculty, and the 
 different faculty committees, of which latter there were not a few. 
 The battery organization was abolished, and the two muzzle-loading 
 cannon belonging to the War Department of the United States were 
 turned in, and two new breech-loading guns were received in their 
 place. 
 
38 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 Mr. J. Thompson Brown's term of office on the board having ex- 
 pired, he was not reappointed by the Governor, and Mr. J. C. Car- 
 rington was elected rector of the board of visitors. 
 
 Mr. H. S. Stahl ('07) was appointed instructor in biology. 
 
 A graduate manager of athletics was elected to hold office as long 
 as he was satisfactory to the corps. Also an athletic director, to de- 
 vote his entire time to the development of athletics. Mr. Miles was 
 elected graduate manager, and Mr. R. M. Brown, of Dartmouth, di- 
 rector. 
 
 A concrete esplanade, sixteen feet wide, was made, connecting the 
 barracks buildings together and joining to the concrete way from Bar- 
 rack No. 1 to the mess, and a mining engineering building was erected 
 to the west of science hall and south of the power-plant. Cold-storage 
 rooms were added to the mess hall. 
 
 The student-body was developed into a corps organization, the 
 honor system was officially adopted by it, and student officers were 
 elected. A constitution and by-laws were also adopted. At a later 
 meeting, the corps voted to abolish hazing at V. P. I. after January, 
 1909. On January 22, V. P. I. played her first intercollegiate basket- 
 ball game, in Blacksburg, with Emory and Henry college, winning by 
 a score of 33-26. The game was played in the new stone auditorium. 
 
 In March, 1909, Mr. Branch Bocock was elected athletic coach, 
 and in April it was decided to level and improve the athletic field and 
 renovate the grand stand. The forgotten name of "Sheib Field" was 
 superceded by that of "Miles Field" for the improved grounds, in 
 honor of Mr. C. P. Miles. 
 
 The apprentice course was made a one-year course, designed for 
 young farmers. The board appropriated money for hydrants on each 
 floor of the barracks buildings. During the year the ground in front 
 of Barrack No. 1 was leveled and terraced, and two mounted cannon 
 were placed on the terrace. Six arc-lights were installed about the 
 campus, and two concrete bridges were built over the stream in front 
 of the agricultural hall. 
 
 Attendance this session, 565. 
 
 Session of 1909-10. Changes in the uniform of the corps in- 
 cluded the disuse of khaki, and the adoption of the gray "coatee," the 
 latter used for full dress. 
 
 Dr. Hudnall, who had been seriously ill, returned to his duties. 
 Captain W. R. Dashiell, 24th U. S. Infantry, was detailed as com- 
 mandant in place of Captain Jamerson; and Dr. N. S. Mayo succeeded 
 Dr. Spencer, resigned, as professor of veterinary medicine. Mr. Mid- 
 yett was made instructor in modern languages, and Mr. Reidlich, of 
 Stuttgart, Germany, took charge as instructor in graphics. C. B. 
 Walker ('08) was appointed assistant in chemistry and in the mili- 
 tary department. 
 
 Illness again forced Dr. Hudnall to lay aside his duties, which 
 were performed in his absence by the department of rhetoric. Dean 
 Price and Dr. Ellett attended the meeting of the Association of Amer- 
 ican Colleges and Experiment Stations, in Portland, Oregon. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 39 
 
 The publication of "The Gray Jacket" was discontinued. 
 
 J. L. Phillips resigned as state entomologist, and Miss Mary Lacy 
 as librarian. James M. Teany, in charge of forge and foundry work, 
 died on February L5, and professor George W. Walker died at the home 
 of his daughter near Asheville, North Carolina, on March 17. The 
 following resignations occurred: Professor Worthington, modern 
 language department; Professor Abbott, English; and H. E. Allen, 
 animal husbandry. Messrs. J. J. Davis, in modern languages, and 
 Gudheim, in graphics, were made associate professors. 
 
 V. P. I. won the Southern Championship in football, winning every 
 game played. 
 
 The two academic buildings were each provided with a steam- 
 heating system, and entrances were made on their western sides, with 
 concrete steps, for easier access to and from the barracks. A new 
 reservoir was built for the water supply at the big spring; shower- 
 baths were installed in the basement of Barrack No. 2, and a new lab- 
 oratory for the engineering department was arranged in the basement 
 of Academic Building No. 1. 
 
 Attendance this session, 509. 
 
 Session of 1910-11. The board of visitors elected as rector, Mr. 
 L. E. Johnson, president of the Norfolk and Western Railroad, who 
 had been appointed a member of the board. 
 
 The school of agricultural apprentices was changed from a pre- 
 paratory course for the freshman year to a purely one-year course 
 for farmers. 
 
 The following appointments were made: Dr. E. A. Back, state 
 entomologist and entomologist at the experiment station; H. M. 
 Arnold, associate professor of rhetoric; E. W. Lawson, associate pro- 
 fessor of animal husbandry; and as instructors: Messrs. Smithey, 
 modern languages; McCown, rhetoric; Robeson, mathematics and ex- 
 perimental engineering; Coleman, electrical engineering, and Angel, 
 physics. Miss Ethel Lacy was appointed librarian. Professor Mid- 
 yette resigned from the modern language department; Colonel Brodie, 
 as assistant commandant; McTier, as musical director, and C. B. 
 Walker, in physics. Cadet M. C. Smith acted as band-master for the 
 session. Mr. A. W. Drinkard, Jr., was granted a two-years' leave of 
 absence to pursue advanced work in horticulture at Cornell, looking 
 toward his doctorate, and Mr. G. C. Starcher was appointed to serve 
 during his absence. 
 
 A cement walk was laid, connecting the Y. M. C. A. with the stone 
 steps between Barracks 3 and 5. 
 
 The first number of "The Skirmisher" appeared, being the old 
 "Gray Jacket" in another form and under a new name. 
 
 On November 23, the corps, en route for Norfolk, stopped over in 
 Richmond and the battalion was reviewed by President Taft. In the 
 afternoon, the corps escorted the president to the auditorium. In De- 
 cember, V. P. I. sent a delegation of students to the International 
 Stock Show in Chicago, being the only Southern college represented. 
 On January 31, 1911, 700 representative farmers, in attendance at the 
 
40 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 state institute in Roanoke, visited V. P. I. They were escorted over 
 the grounds and were addressed by President Barringer and Governor 
 Mann. 
 
 The farmers' short course was held from January 16 to February 
 11. 
 
 Mr. Bocock resigned as athletic director to accept a position at 
 the University of North Carolina, and Mr. L. W. Reiss was chosen in 
 his place. The basketball championship was won by the Tech team of 
 1911. 
 
 The tailor-shop was moved from its old quarters over the laundry 
 to the room over the board rooms in the wing of the auditorium, where 
 it now is. 
 
 After a lapse of several years, the Lee and Maury Societies were 
 revived, and interest was developed in their exercises. Mr. 0. R. Ma- 
 gill succeeded Mr. Wear as secretary of the Y. M. C. A. and was a 
 most successful and popular secretary, doing excellent work. 
 
 Stoops were built in front of Barracks 4 and 5 and concrete walks 
 were laid connecting them with science hall and the academic build- 
 ings. 
 
 Lieutenant J. F. Ware ('02), of the 16th U. S. Infantry, an "All 
 South" end in his football days, was appointed commandant, succeed- 
 ing Major Dashiell. 
 
 Attendance this session, 471. 
 
 Session of 1911-12. Improvements in the course of electrical 
 engineering were put into effect this session. There were also offered 
 degree courses in chemical and agricultural engineering, and a de- 
 partment was established in forestry, irrigation, and drainage, the 
 course therein leading to a degree; and the entrance requirements to 
 the freshman class were raised to fourteen units. 
 
 Appointments: C. B. Walker and G. B. Bright, assistant com- 
 mandants; C. B. Walker and J. B. Lucas, assistants in chemistry; D. 
 P. Clemmer, instructor in graphics; Ashe Lockart, assistant in animal 
 husbandry; Messrs. MacKan and Chilton, assistants in physics; and 
 Mr. J. P. Harvey was again made leader of the band and clerk to the 
 superintendent of buildings and grounds. The following resigned: 
 Instructors Mallory, Moorefield, Angell, Reidlich, Ayre and Coleman; 
 and Miss Neilson, executive clerk. 
 
 In February, Mr. John H. Shultz resigned as mess steward after 
 fourteen years of satisfactory service, and Mr. Julius Shultz finished 
 out the session as acting steward until the election of Mr. Bierne Elli- 
 son in June, when Mr. Julius Shultz took charge of the college book 
 store. 
 
 On February 21, the Maury Society won the loving-cup recently 
 presented by Professor A. W. Drinkard, which was to be contended 
 for in debate each year on the same date by the Maury and Lee So- 
 cieties. 
 
 In June, Colonel Brodie sailed for Scotland, and Dr. Mayo for 
 Panama, on a holiday excursion. Dr. Back resigned as entomologist 
 in July, to take up work for the Government in Hawaii. Mr. Branch 
 Bocock was elected to return next session as athletic coach. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 41 
 
 A now road was graded from the alumni gate to the First Aca- 
 demic- Building, the hill by the infirmary being- cut down to a better 
 uradt.'. The town and college rejoiced at the erection of a new and 
 modern railroad depot, to replace the old shack that had served up to 
 this time. The town also put in a water and sewerage system, being- 
 part of the college system. 
 
 Attendance this session, 463. 
 
 At the July meeting of the board, Dr. Barringer tendered his res- 
 ignation as president. This was accepted, but he consented to serve 
 until July, 1913. 
 
 Athletic field in 1896, showing a field day event. There was no track 
 and the ground was very rough. At the right is shown the residence 
 then occupied by Prof. Campbell, later removed for the Library 
 
 Building. 
 
 Session of 1912-13. Dr. Reed and Mr. F. L. Robeson were 
 granted a year's leave of absence for further study. Resignations : 
 Dr. Frank Wilson, professor of chemistry; Colonel R. A. Marr, pro- 
 fessor of civil engineering and dean of the engineering department; F. 
 S. Holmes, assistant commandant and instructor in horticulture; J. S. 
 Cooley, plant pathologist. 
 
 By action of the board of control of the experiment station, the 
 director had been allowed to grant leaves of absence for further study 
 to promising young men on the station staff. Dr. Drinkard had al- 
 ready availed himself of this privilege, and had returned to V. P. I. 
 after gaining his doctorate at Cornell. Mr. E. B. Fred was granted 
 this leave and spent two years in Germany, returning with improved 
 ability and enthusiasm to his work in soil bacteriology. Now Mr. T. 
 B. Hutcheson was given a leave for further study. In this way, the 
 station aimed to build up a strong research staff. In Mr. Hutcheson's 
 
42 
 
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 absence, Mr. A. N. Hodgson was appointed assistant agronomist, and 
 Mr. C. H. Crabill in plant pathology. 
 
 The Southern Railway established a scholarship amounting to 
 $250 each year for four years, the beneficiary being required to prom- 
 ise that for at least three years after the end of his scholarship he 
 would farm in territory contiguous to a line of the Southern Railroad 
 system, or to teach agriculture, or work on an experiment farm in 
 some state traversed by lines of the Southern system. Mr. T. P. Hill 
 was the first beneficiary selected from among thirty-five applicants. 
 
 Following Colonel Marr's resignation, Professor 0. C. Burkhart 
 was temporarily put in charge of civil engineering. 
 
 The first field team, 1896. 
 
 In November, a special course was held for dairymen. 
 
 Mr. H. N. Faulkner, assistant in mechanic arts, died in Decem- 
 ber. 
 
 In January, two wireless stations were installed on the campus, 
 on top of science hall and agricultural hall. The county demonstra- 
 tors, forty-eight in number, spent six weeks at V. P. I. during Jan- 
 uary and February, taking a course in practical farming, and also 
 the usual four-weeks farmers' winter course with the 30 other men 
 enrolled in that course. 
 
 On February 1 the debt of $2,500 against the Y. M. C. A. was 
 paid. Mr. C. P. Miles acted as coach for the baseball team this spring. 
 A new dance club, "The Cotillion," was organized among the students. 
 This spring saw the demise of "The Skirmisher" which had fought, 
 against odds, to be the successor of the defunct "Gray Jacket." 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 43 
 
 The college again sustained a most serious loss by fire in the early 
 hours of Saturday morning, June 14, during the Commencement fes- 
 tivities, by the burning: of the machine shop. The machinery, tools, 
 etc., and the building itself were destroyed. During the summer 
 arrangements were made to use the old pavilion as a shop until further 
 provision could be made. The infirmary was renovated, the sick wards 
 modernized, and a modern heating; system installed in the excavated 
 basement. 
 
 At this time Mr. L. E. Johnson retired from the board of visitors, 
 and Mr. J. Thompson Brown was again elected rector, he having been 
 reappointed to the board by the Governor. 
 
 At the July meeting of the board, Mr. R. B. H. Begg ('99) was 
 elected to the chair of civil engineering; Dr. W. G. Chrisman ('01) to 
 that of animal husbandry and veterinary science, and Dr. J. W. Wat- 
 son to that of inorganic chemistry. Resignations: Dr. N. S. Mayo, 
 professor of animal husbandry and veterinary science; Ashe Lockart, 
 instructor in animal husbandry; T. B. Hutcheson, agronomy; also In- 
 structors R. H. Chilton and Chappelear, and Assistants MacKan, 
 Taylor, McCabe, and C. H. Chilton. 
 
 Attendance this session, 471. 
 
 On July 1, Mr. Joseph D. Eggleston, for some time a member of 
 the board as state superintendent of public instruction, entered upon 
 his duties as president of the V. P. I. 
 
 In review of Dr. Barringer's services to V. P. I., it may be noted 
 that when he took office in 1907 the entrance requirements were four 
 units, and they were gradually raised during his term of service, until 
 in 1912 they were fourteen units for the session of 1914-15. Agricul- 
 ture was emphasized by the strengthening of the teaching staff, the 
 addition of a professor of mycology, a degree course in agricultural 
 engineering, and a department of forestry, irrigation and drainage; 
 the farmers' winter course, established in 1907, was maintained and 
 strengthened; and the school of agricultural apprentices was estab- 
 lished and developed into a two-year practical course in agriculture. 
 Numerous improvements were made which promoted and increased 
 the comfort and conveniences of the students and improved their san- 
 itary environment. The source of the college water supply was safe- 
 guarded by appropriate masonry. The danger of a typhoid epidemic 
 in Blacksburg was reduced by extending to the town the college water 
 and sewerage lines. Water was supplied to the barracks buildings ; 
 concrete walks replaced the old cinder paths on routes most used by 
 the students. When Dr. Barringer became president, the Legislature 
 appropriated $30,000 to cover a deficit then existing, and from that 
 time to the close of Dr. Barringer's administration, the institute was 
 maintained free from debt, except the bond issues of 1896 and 1900. 
 
44 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT EGGLESTON 
 
 Session of 1913-14. The Ed. Black property of some 60 acres to 
 the south and east of the college, was acquired for college use. This 
 property, although it has not been paid for, has greatly increased in 
 value. New shop machinery was bought and installed in temporary 
 quarters, the old pavilion being used as the main building. 
 
 Appointments: T. P. Campbell, dean of the faculty; L. S. Ran- 
 dolph, dean of the engineering department; W. K. Brainerd, professor 
 of dairy and animal husbandry; F. L. Robeson, associate professor of 
 physics; E. R. Hodgson, associate professor of agronomy; L. W. Sum- 
 mers, associate professor of animal husbandry (resigned December, 
 1913, and R. E. Hunt elected in his place) ; W. J. Schoene, state ento- 
 mologist; and the following assistants: W. J. Barbour, forge work; 
 F. T. Wall, geology; H. H. Bates, experimental engineering and as- 
 sistant commandant; E. H. Knox, physics; J. M. Trimble, physics; J. 
 B. Lucas, physics and chemistry. Promotions from instructor to asso- 
 ciate professor: G. B. Bright, civil engineering; C. W. Holdaway, 
 dairying. Dr. Reed returned from Europe, after a year's leave. 
 
 Two new county experiment stations were established, one at 
 Martinsville and one at Charlotte Court House, the state department 
 of agriculture having appropriated $7,500 for these and for the sta- 
 tion at Staunton. 
 
 The first agricultural fair held at Blacksburg was in October of 
 this year and was well attended. The defunct "Gray Jacket," later 
 "The Skirmisher," was resuscitated under the name of "The Firing 
 Line;" and the Monogram Club was formed, consisting of all students 
 winning their letters in any form of athletics. During this session, 
 two-thirds of the enrolled students were members of the Y. M. C. A., 
 with Mr. R. W. Owens as secretary. The Maury Society won the lov- 
 ing-cup in annual debate from the Lee Society. The world's record 
 in butter production was broken by a Holstein cow of the V. P. I. dairy 
 herd. The farmers' winter course was attended by about double the 
 number of the previous year. At a meeting of the corps in March, it 
 was decided to build the long needed athletic house on the athletic 
 field, and work thereon was begun immediately. 
 
 In April, Dr. S. W. Fletcher handed in his resignation as director 
 of the experiment station, to take effect July 1, 1914. 
 
 The new Alumni Gate was dedicated on June 16. The gate was 
 presented as the gift of the alumni by Mr. Allen Eskridge ('94) and 
 President Eggleston received it on behalf of the college. During finals 
 also, the corner-stone was laid for the new stone shops building, to be 
 known as "The McBryde Building." Appropriate masonic ceremonies 
 were observed. During the summer, the stone building, which had 
 been erected as a chapel and auditorium, and which had also been used 
 for the basketball games, was fitted up as the library, which was now 
 moved from its old place in the Second Academic Building. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institi ii: 45 
 
 Annum other provisions of the Legislature money was provided 
 for a septic tank, to replace the obsolete one hitherto in use. An im- 
 portant event was the transfer by the Legislature of the demonstra- 
 tion work in Virginia to the control of the V. P. I., thus making 
 Blaeksburg the center for the direction of county agents, with control 
 of the funds for carrying on the work. Sixty of the demonstrators 
 spent three weeks in January at the college, taking the special course 
 in agriculture. This was made a permanent feature of the demon- 
 stration work. 
 
 Attendance this session, 527. 
 
 Session of 1914-15. Lieutenant S. W. Anding was detailed by 
 the War Department as commandant, succeeding Lieutenant Ware; 
 and Professor W. J. Schoene was appointed acting director of the ex- 
 periment station. Mr. J. P. Harvey, musical director, being incapaci- 
 tated by sickness, Mr. H. H. Hill took charge of the band this session 
 and served for eighteen months. Other appointments were : A. S. 
 Jewett, instructor in rhetoric; D. S. Lancaster, modern languages; V. 
 E. Ayres, mathematics and assistant commandant; T. K. Wolfe, 
 agronomy and assistant commandant; E. A. Livesay, third assistant 
 commandant; L. B. Bransford and A. B. Carrington, physics; F. T. 
 Wall and H. L. Jennings, chemistry; C. W. MacKan, civil engineering; 
 G. S. Ralston, horticulture at the experiment station; John R. Hutche- 
 son, livestock specialist with the demonstration work; C. H. Hays, 
 specialist in hog cholera, with the demonstration work; W. D. Saun- 
 ders, professor of animal and dairy husbandry and farm superintend- 
 ent; and T. B. Hutcheson, professor of agronomy. H. S. Stahl was 
 promoted from assistant professor to associate professor of biology. 
 Resignations: Lyman Carrier, agronomy; W. K. Brainerd, animal 
 husbandry; A. S. McGown, instructor in rhetoric, and L. P. Smithers, 
 modern languages. 
 
 A Science Club was organized to stimulate interest in the various 
 scientific fields, and to increase a sympathetic and broadening interest 
 in the various lines of scientific work. Dr. Barlow was the first pres- 
 ident of the club, which met twice a month. The board of trade of 
 Blacksburg, which had been recently formed through the activities of 
 Dr. Fletcher and Professor Carrier, elected President Eggleston as 
 its chairman for the ensuing year. 
 
 The Christmas holidays saw the completion of the new field house, 
 which was formally opened on January 27, 1915, and officially turned 
 over to the athletic association with appropriate ceremonies. 
 
 During the latter part of January, Mr. Robert T. Ellett resigned 
 as assistant treasurer and registrar, to take charge of the Ellett Drug 
 Company, and Mr. Branch Bocock was appointed acting registrar. 
 
 The American Institute of Electrical Engineers authorized the 
 formation of a student branch at the V. P. I. In March, President 
 Eggleston was elected by the Legislature a member of the state board 
 of education, but soon after resigned. 
 
 A women's auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. was formed, and this did 
 much toward improving conditions in the building. The steadily in- 
 
46 
 
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 creasing football squad made it necessary to employ two coaches, one 
 for the line, and one for the back field. Again, the basketball team 
 made a clean record, winning every game played during the season. 
 
 During the summer, Messrs. Bruce Williams and C. H. Crabill 
 resigned from the department of bacteriology, and Mr. J. T. Murray, 
 of New York, was given direct charge of the bacteriological work of 
 the experiment station, with Mr. Karl Quantz, an alumnus, as assist- 
 ant plant pathologist. Mr. Harris resigned as assistant chemist at 
 
 From the tower of the old shops building, 1897. 
 
 the station to accept a position in the Argentine, and Mr. J. T. Gris- 
 som was appointed in his place. At the July meeting of the board 
 authority was given to re-establish the general science course, which 
 had been abolished in Dr. Barringer's regime; and Dr. Newman was 
 appointed dean of the academic department. Dr. Howard S. Reed 
 resigned in August to become plant pathologist at the citrus experi- 
 ment station at Riverside, California, and Dr. F. D. Fromme suc- 
 ceeded him. 
 
 Attendance this session, 490. 
 
 Session of 1915-16. Professor J. J. Davis was granted a leave 
 of absence to take graduate work at Johns Hopkins. Mr. T. P. Camp- 
 bell, Jr., a V. P. I. alumnus of 1909, was appointed registrar. 
 
 The freshman class this session was the largest in seven years. 
 
 Mr. R. E. Denny was appointed general secretary of the Y. M. C. 
 A. The following appointments were made: instructors: M. C. Har- 
 rison, rhetoric; E. S. Cardozo and H. P. Sanborn, modern languages; 
 assistants: P. A. Pearsall, chemistry; I. Udy, experimental engi- 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 47 
 
 neering; F. A. Heacock, graphics; H. E. Thomas, plant pathology; A. 
 Chinn, civil engineering; A. A. Ingham, horticulture; and Milton 
 Cutherell, assistant to the treasurer and college book store keeper. 
 P. V. Janutolo was promoted to be an instructor in chemistry; Brans- 
 ford, in physics; Lancaster, in animal husbandry, and Wolfe, in 
 agronomy. 
 
 The col logo sustained a great loss in the sudden death of Profes- 
 sor R. J. Davidson on the morning of Sunday, December 19, 1915. 
 Professor Davidson had been connected with the college as professor 
 of chemistry since July, 1891, having completed nearly a quarter of a 
 century of service. Professor W. B. Ellett was appointed to carry on 
 the work in agricultural chemistry. 
 
 In the November bulletin of the college was published a partial 
 list giving the names of forty-four V. P. I. men then in service on the 
 Mexican border, showing the aid given by alumni in defense of their 
 country. 
 
 Mr. B. Ellison resigned as mess steward to accept a position as 
 manager of the Blue Ridge Springs. 
 
 Through the energy of the registrar, Mr. T. P. Campbell, Jr., an 
 efficient employment bureau was established under his care, to place 
 V. P. I. men in more advantageous positions and to secure good posi- 
 tions for those desiring such. 
 
 At the April meeting, the board elected Dr. A. W. Drinkard as 
 director of the experiment station, thus relieving Professor Schoene, 
 who had been acting director for the past two years in addition to his 
 duties as state entomologist. Mr. Jesse M. Jones was appointed di- 
 rector of the demonstration and extension work. Mr. H. H. Hill was 
 obliged to give up the leadership of the band, and was succeeded by 
 Mr. P. U. Janutolo. 
 
 During the spring the senior class built a concrete walk from the 
 academic buildings to the library, the students themselves doing the 
 work, with material furnished by the college. The rooms formerly 
 used by the board, and later as a residence by Dr. Fletcher and family, 
 in the wing of the library, were fitted up as living-rooms and office 
 for the librarian. 
 
 On Sunday, June 11, Dr. R. H. Hudnall, after a long illness, died 
 at his home on the campus. As a result of this, the department of 
 English and rhetoric were consolidated, with Dr. C. M. Newman as 
 head. 
 
 Governor Mann delivered the graduating address to the class of 
 1916, his subject being "Preparedness." Four hundred attended the 
 final exercises, and at the alumni meeting a committee was appointed 
 to consider the question of the erection of an alumni club house on the 
 campus. 
 
 The General Assembly, having placed all the demonstration and 
 extension work in agriculture and home economics in Virginia under 
 the control of the V. P. I., Miss Ella G. Agnew, chief of the women 
 demonstration agents in Virginia and director of the girls' canning 
 clubs, was, on July 1, transferred from Burkeville to Blacksburg. 
 
48 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 On July 3, more than eighty V. P. I. students reported for duty at 
 the R. O. T. C. at Camp Lee, Virginia. Lieutenant S. W. Anding, 
 commandant, was promoted to a captaincy in the army. 
 
 A notable feature of the Y. M. C. A. work during the session was 
 a social service bureau, through which forty-seven or more students 
 conducted an active campaign of religious work in the country dis- 
 tricts and nearby mountains. 
 
 Mr. J. T. Grissom resigned in August as assistant station chemist. 
 
 During the session, Professor Vawter and the senior engineers 
 installed an aerial and receiving wireless station, by which the weather 
 reports and Arlington time were received. 
 
 Attendance this session, 505. 
 
 Session of 1916-17. During September the board refused per- 
 mission for the establishment of fraternities or secret organizations 
 at V. P. I. It also approved a course in applied physics, which had 
 been recommended by the faculty. At the opening of the session, 
 there were six county experiment stations conducted by V. P. I., and 
 three by the college and the State Board of Agriculture jointly. For 
 the first time in history, the college and town enjoyed the benefit of a 
 Western Union Telegraph station, with office on the campus, in the 
 field house. 
 
 Appointments: as instructors: W. E. Bowers, agronomy; C. L. 
 Estill and T. C. Johnson, English; J. B. Lucas, chemistry; E. R. Mc- 
 Kesson, mathematics and assistant commandant; C. R. Moore and P. 
 H. Trout, physics; as assistants: W. B. Ellis, experimental engineer- 
 ing; T. J. Wells, electrical engineering; E. B. Burwell, geology, and C. 
 B. Whitney, chemistry. The following instructors resigned: A. S. 
 Jewett, V. E. Ayre, L. B. Bransford, E. S. Cardozo, and P. U. Janu- 
 tolo. Mr. W. C. Stiles was promoted to an instructorship in animal 
 husbandry, and H. E. Thomas, plant pathology and bacteriology. 
 Professor Robeson was granted a leave of absence to study at the Uni- 
 versity of Missouri. Professor Davis returned to his work after a 
 year at Johns Hopkins. Mr. Quantz was transferred from the depart- 
 ment of pathology to that of horticulture. In December, Professor 
 Smyth was appointed dean of the department of applied sciences, 
 succeeding Professor Davidson. Mr. Quantz, Professor Starcher and 
 Dr. Smulyan resigned. 
 
 On January 5, 1917, a unit of the R. O. T. C. was established. 
 Juniors and seniors were allowed the privilege of taking this, but 
 sophomores and freshmen were required to take the work. Men from 
 the two higher classes entering the training corps were paid $9.00 
 per month and all classes had uniforms issued them for drills when 
 training. Captain C. C. Carson and Sergeant Fisher were detailed to 
 assist Captain S. W. Anding in the R. 0. T. C. duties. It was a period 
 of unusual activity in the military department. A large number of 
 applicants, largely from the ranks of the alumni, presented themselves 
 to Captain Anding for examination for commissions. To assist in the 
 increasing importance of matters military, the War Department de- 
 tailed in March Sergeant Bresnahan, who was considered the best 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 49 
 
 drill Bergeant in the army. On March 28, Captain Anding's term 
 having expired, he was ordered for duty to Arizona, Captain Carson 
 succeeding him as commandant. 
 
 In January, Dr. Barlow moved into his new house, and the old 
 horticultural building which had been fitted for a residence for him, 
 was turned over to the extension division as headquarters. Mr. C. G. 
 Burr, state agent for boys' club work, established his headquarters at 
 Blacksburg. 
 
 On March 3, the corps went to Washington to take part in the in- 
 augural ceremonies of President Wilson. The appearance of the 
 cadets and their bearing in the parade won for them most favorable 
 comment from the highest sources. 
 
 Mr. Bowers offered a course in agricultural journalism during 
 the third term, the first ever given here. 
 
 The calls for service abroad in the World War becoming more and 
 more urgent, responses began to draw upon the personnel of faculty 
 and corps alike. Early in May Professor Begg received his commis- 
 sion as captain of engineers and left for Fort Myer. From the corps, 
 64 men left for the officers' training camp at Fort Myer. 
 
 In spite of strenuous military training, athletics were not 
 neglected, and on May 12 the Virginia Athletic Association held its 
 meeting on Miles field, and V. P. I. won first place in the events. 
 
 The war call was being answered now so freely by the corps, 
 especially by members of the senior class, that it was considered ad- 
 visable to bring the session to an early close, and so on May 31 the 
 session came to an end, the usual Commencement events being omitted, 
 including the big alumni reunion which had been expected. 
 
 Attendance this session, 533. 
 
 During the summer school Captain H. E. Keller ('17) continued 
 the valuable work of military training to all men on the grounds. 
 
 Mr. A. A. Ingham, assistant horticulturist, died suddenly in his 
 room on June 13. E. R. Hodgson resigned to become specialist in 
 agronomy with the extension division. G. S. Ralston, of the extension 
 division, was appointed field horticulturist. During the summer 
 Major Carson sailed for active field duty in France. 
 
 On August 3, C. B. Lambert ('14), on service in the aviation 
 camp, while flying with an English instructor near Wheeling, West 
 Virginia, fell to his death. He was the first V. P. I. boy to give his 
 life for his country in the home field. 
 
 The State Farmers' Institute was held here on August 15. 
 
 The new shops building, constructed under the supervision of 
 Mr. D. 0. Matthews, and dedicated to Dr. McBryde, was first used for 
 work in August. The simple but impressive modified Gothic front, 
 with its sixty-foot tower, guards the main entrance to the shop, which 
 extends 231 feet in depth and 210 feet in width. The several shop 
 departments are separated by curtains of brick work, each department 
 having its offices and supply rooms. 
 
 It is difficult to condense the facts which now brought V. P. I. to 
 the front and vindicated her right to existence as a valuable asset in 
 
50 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 time of need to the State and Nation. The following items will briefly 
 speak for themselves. 
 
 Out of 99 men entering the first Fort Myer camp, 94 received 
 their commissions. Each of the 26 men entering the regular army 
 school at Fort Leavenworth was commissioned. Of two entries at the 
 first Plattsburg camp, one man received a majority and the other a 
 captaincy; and the five men at the first Oglethorpe camp received their 
 commissions. 
 
 Extracts from the August, 1917, Bulletin: 
 
 "V. P. I.'s military men are distinguished as follows: Fort Myer 
 training camp, 120; Virginia National Guards, 21; Regular Army, 55; 
 Engineers Reserve Corps, 6; Aviation Corps, 4; Signal Corps, 2; U. 
 S. Marine Corps, 4; Ambulance Corps, 2; Navy, 7; Mosquito Fleet, 3; 
 Fort Oglethorpe training camp, 8; Fort Ben Harrison camp, 3; other 
 U. S. training camps, 16; National Guards of other States, 2; Coast 
 Guard, 6. (This list is incomplete, but lists 259 men at this date in 
 service.)" 
 
 Session of 1917-18. In spite of the war conditions, or possibly 
 on account thereof, this session opened with 199 freshmen. The per- 
 sonnel of the upper classes was changed, owing to the number absent 
 on military duty, yet many new men entered the upper classes, so that 
 the total number of students was not materially reduced. The regis- 
 tration, of course, showed the effect of the war call. The hitherto 
 popular courses of agriculture, and electrical and mechanical engineer- 
 ing showed a loss, while civil and chemical engineering showed a 
 marked increase. It was notable also that the number in the R. O. T. 
 C. course had greatly increased, and students excused from military 
 voluntarily took up military training. 
 
 From the Roanoke Times, September 20, 1917: 
 
 "Lectures on food production and conservation are to be given at 
 teachers' institutes throughout the State this fall, thanks to the public 
 spirited and far-sighted extension division of the V. P. I. * * * * 
 The V. P. I. is making notable contributions to the country's cause in 
 many ways, but the above plan promises to take a foremost place in 
 the list of services rendered the Nation by the Blacksburg institute 
 during the war. The people of Virginia should be very grateful to 
 V. P. I. for what it is doing for them as well as for America." 
 
 Throughout the fall of 1916 and the summer of 1917, under the 
 auspices of the American Red Cross, members of the faculty attended 
 meetings at every precinct in Montgomery county, making addresses 
 in behalf of war work, and forming chapters of the Red Cross. Dr. 
 McBryde, as chairman of the Blacksburg chapter, was indefatigable 
 in his interest in the work, and the ladies of the town and facutly 
 alike were untiring in their devotion to the cause. 
 
 Mr. John H. Shultz, our mess steward, met with a tragic death 
 on August 27, 1917. Mr. J. J. Owens succeeded him. 
 
 Appointments this session included: Major W. P. Stone, of the 
 U. S. army, retired, commandant; E. R. McKesson, instructor in civil 
 engineering; E. W. Diggs, graphics; V. L. Vaughn, physics and math- 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 51 
 
 ematics; S. A. Wingard, assistant in plant pathology; S. C. Harmon, 
 assistant agronomist ; W. G. Harris, associate chemist, experiment 
 station; F. S. Glassett, assistant agronomist. Resignations: Professors 
 C. E. Vawter, P. II. Trout, H. E. Thomas, and C. B. Whitney. Pro- 
 motions: F. L. Robeson to the chair of physics and head of this de- 
 partment; C. P. Miles and J. J. Davis to full professorships in modern 
 Languages; W. M. Brodie to a full professorship in mathematics; M. 
 
 C. Harrison to an associate professorship in English; T. K. Wolfe and 
 
 D. S. Lancaster to associate professorships in agronomy and animal 
 husbandry, respectively. The following members of the faculty were 
 absent on military duty: R. B. H. Begg, G. B. Bright, H. P. Sanborn, 
 W. C. Stiles, C. B. Moore, C. L. Estill, W. E. Bowers, S. E. Dietrick, 
 G. G. Coleman, E. B. Burwell, A. P. Moore, and W. R. Ellis. 
 
 Blacksburg in 1897, from the shops building. 
 
 One hundred per cent of V. P. I. men entering the Engineer Re- 
 serve camps received commissions. 
 
 During the fall, this college was put on the United Press wire, 
 insuring the transmission of athletic scores to all papers using the ser- 
 vice. 
 
 During the winter the following changes occurred: O. C. Cox, 
 veterinary department, and T. J. Murray, bacteriologist, resigned; 
 Mr. A. B. Massey succeeded Mr. Murray. 
 
 On February 21, Dr. J. E. Williams was elected a member of the 
 State Board of Education. In March a bill to allow V. P. I. to issue 
 bonds to the amount of $400,000 passed the House, but was defeated 
 in the Senate. 
 
 O* 
 
 <*&* 
 
52 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 In April, the college was made a member of the American Univer- 
 sity Union, which had its headquarters in Paris. 
 
 During May, C. P. Miles resigned as graduate manager of ath- 
 letics, and C. A. Bernier was appointed athletic director. 
 
 Colonel George H. Jamerson, an alumnus and former commandant, 
 was appointed Brigadier General. 
 
 Extracts from V. P. I. Bulletin of May, 1918: 
 
 "V. P. I. has at present 2,790 of its alumni under arms, more than 
 Yale, Harvard, Princeton, or any other institution of like standing, 
 North or South; and a prominent editor of Washington says, 'Inci- 
 dentally, it gives the Federal Government evidence that the money it 
 has invested at Blacksburg was wisely used and will be repaid many 
 times over.' " 
 
 L. S. Randolph, professor of mechanical engineering and dean of 
 the engineering department, handed in his resignation to take effect 
 September 1, 1918, thus completing a quarter of a century of service 
 here. At this time, he was the fourth in seniority of appointment of 
 the living members of the faculty. 
 
 Professor Louis O'Shaughnessy was elected in June, 1918, to the 
 chair of civil engineering, to enter upon his duties at the beginning of 
 the next session. 
 
 Owing to war conditions, finals were shortened to two days, May 
 26 and 27. On the morning of the 27th Hon. R. Holman Willis pre- 
 sented a service flag to the college on behalf of the alumni association. 
 The rector, J. Thompson Brown, received the flag for the college; and 
 Miss Alice Hoge pulled the cord which unfurled the flag with its 740 
 stars. Before the end of the war the flag contained 1,700 stars, not a 
 few of them being gold stars. 
 
 Attendance this session, 519. 
 
 In March, the college offered to take a certain number of enlisted 
 men for instruction in the useful arts. Accepting this offer, the Gov- 
 ernment sent on May 31 a detachment of 220 men. These men were 
 quartered in Barracks Nos. 3 and 5. They were under the command of 
 Major John C. Skuse, assisted by Lieutenants Stanrod, Bell, and Tay- 
 lor. Later, a surgeon, a dental officer, and a quartermaster were de- 
 tached to service here. The officers of the college in charge were Dean 
 Campbell, as director; Professor Parrott, bench work and carpentry; 
 Professor Conner, machine work; Professor J. M. Johnson, forge and 
 foundry; Professor Robeson, radio work; Professor McKesson and Mr. 
 D. O. Matthews, concrete work. Aiding in this work, from outside of 
 the college, were Messrs. Nickle, of Pennsylvania, in radio work, 
 Barker, of Richmond, and Wilson, of Roanoke, assisting in me- 
 chanics. Professor Drinkard gave a series of lectures on war issues. 
 The first detachment left on July 27. 
 
 On August 1 a second detachment of 225 soldiers arrived, all re- 
 cruited from the District of Columbia. Forty-three additional men 
 arrived a few days later, and twenty-eight men had been held over 
 from the first detachment for further instruction. These, with the 
 officers in charge, made a total of 302 soldiers at this time. During the 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 53 
 
 stay o( these two detachments everything- possible for their comfort 
 and happiness was done by the town and campus people and by the 
 ministers and the local Red Cross. 
 
 On June 3, seventy-four V. P. I. men reported at the training- 
 camp at Plattsburg, New York, remaining during the full period to 
 July 3. When the second camp opened on July 22, about twenty V. P. 
 I. men attended until its close on September 16. 
 
 A department for training teachers of vocational agriculture was 
 established in June. 
 
 It is not possible in a short summary such as this to go fully into 
 the magnificent war record made by students and alumni. Mr. H. H. 
 Hill, the secretary of the alumni association, has carefully prepared 
 the full record and it will doubtless be issued later in printed form. 
 But we cannot pass on without calling attention to the fact that it was 
 a Tech man who led into action the first Americans who took part in 
 the actual fighting in France. Major J. W. C. Stevens, of the class of 
 1916, at that time a captain in the 26th U. S. Infantry of the regular 
 army, led his company in the first engagement of American troops, 
 near Soissons. And who can forget that among V. P. I. immortals 
 stands high the name of Captain Lloyd Williams ('07), of the U. S. 
 Marine Corps, who was the first Tech man to lay down his life on the 
 battle field. When his command, newly arrived at the front, where 
 desperate fighting was going on, received from the French command- 
 ing officer the order to retreat, Captain Williams's famous reply was, 
 "Retreat? Hell, No! we've just come!" Surely, the spirit underlying 
 these words should ever be a stimulus to every man facing a difficult 
 situation, and will ever be remembered as embodying the true V. P. I. 
 principle of "Do, or die." 
 
 Session of 1918-19. During the preceding summer, for the bene- 
 fit of the regular army encampment, the Y. M. C. A. had established a 
 most elaborate service. A red triangle banner was displayed in front 
 of the building, and Dr. Newman was appointed camp secretary of the 
 post. The National War Work Countil sent athletic goods, games, 
 writing materials, etc., and in addition to superintending all these de- 
 tails, Dr. Newman arranged a weekly program of song meetings, mo- 
 tion pictures, Bible classes, and other features. A canteen was estab- 
 lished and liberally patronized. This work was continued by the Na- 
 tional War Council when the Student Army Training Camp was estab- 
 lished. This was practically a continuation of the work done for the 
 army detachment. As his teaching work now interfered with the 
 superintendence of this Y. M. C. A. activity, Dr. Newman was ap- 
 pointed supervising secretary, with Mr. P. N. Deering as associate, 
 assisted by Mr. Miller and Mr. Drewry. In November, Mr. Deering 
 was elected general secretary of the Y. M. C. A. 
 
 On account of the summer training detachment, the opening of 
 college was postponed to October 1, but all new students were required 
 to report on September 1, for special military training. The S. A. T. 
 C. was formed on October 1, but the fatal epidemic of influenza rend- 
 ered it inadvisable to assemble the students in class-rooms while it 
 
54 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 lasted. The whole of October was given over to out-door military ex- 
 ercises for those physically fit. The college was saddened by a num- 
 ber of deaths from influenza, which occurred among the members of 
 the corps. 
 
 The following U. S. Army officers were detailed for duty with the 
 S. A. T. C: Major J. C. Skuse, of the U. S. Infantry, as commanding 
 officer, assisted by twelve lieutenants and two captains, including a 
 post surgeon, dental surgeon, unit supply officer and quarter-master, 
 all of the regular army. 
 
 Mess Hall and Shops, 1898. 
 
 Preparatory courses were offered in accordance with the Govern- 
 ment regulations in the army service branches of the engineer corps, 
 signal corps, chemical warfare service, quarter-master service, ord- 
 nance service, medical corps, navy, infantry, artillery, machine gun- 
 nery, transport and tank service. A naval unit of fifty students was 
 established. 
 
 First Armistice Day, November 11, was duly celebrated, and the 
 corps paraded through the town and back to Miles Field, where a re- 
 view was held. 
 
 The educational instructor of the Government pronounced the S. 
 A. T. C. at V. P. I. to be far above the average in the quality of work 
 done, and the nature and extent of courses offered. The signing of the 
 armistice was the signal for the demobilization of the S. A. T. C., 
 which took place between December 5 and 12. 
 
 After much discussion, the faculty decided to start anew the regu- 
 lar session on the morning of December 31, and to continue it for six 
 months with no holidays, to be divided into three terms of two months 
 each. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 ^ 
 
 Major Skuse was detailed as commandant, with Captain J. P. 
 Gammon as assistant. In February the R. O. T. C. was reorganized 
 and most o\' the cadets became members. 
 
 Professor Pritchard was appointed dean of the engineering de- 
 partment; Associate Professor Lancaster was made professor and head 
 of the department of agricultural education; W. T. Ellis, professor of 
 power engineering and machine design; A. B. Massey, associate pro- 
 fessor of plant pathology and bacteriology; A. G. Smith, instructor in 
 horticulture; F. L. Bruce, W. E. Pritchard and J. Duff, instructors in 
 English; F. S. Glassett, instructor in agronomy; J. I. Smith, graphics, 
 
 The original "Huckleberry" Depot at Blacksburg. 
 
 and several additional assistants were appointed. Promotions: Asso- 
 ciate Professor Hunt to professor of animal husbandry; H. S. Stahl, to 
 professor of biology; instructor McKesson to associate professor of 
 civil engineering. Instructors Estill, Vaughn, Harmon, and Diggs 
 resigned. 
 
 Ensign M. C. Harrison returned from the navy on January 1, and 
 also Mr. W. G. Harris, who had been absent for a year on military ser- 
 vice. Professor Lee returned from the ordnance department in Feb- 
 ruary. 
 
 The farmers' short course was not given this winter on account of 
 the danger from the epidemic of influenza, which was again raging 
 throughout the State. 
 
 At a meeting of the corps, it was decided to wear the blue and 
 gray cadet uniform next year as a dress uniform, and the olive drab, 
 issued to all members of the R. O. T. C., for work and drill. Sergeant 
 Bresnahan, after a two-years' absence, returned early in April; and 
 Lieutenant Ketchum, of the U. S. engineer corps, was assigned. 
 
56 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 The Commencement of 1919 was held in July. Instead of the fa- 
 miliar blue and gray, the corps was clad in khaki for the drills. Many 
 military heroes were present among visiting alumni. An incident of 
 great interest, not merely because it was unique, was the presence of 
 a president, an ex-president, and a next president of V. P. I. During 
 the latter part of the session, President Eggleston had announced his 
 intention to resign, to take effect on July 1, as he had accepted the 
 presidency of Hampden-Sidney College. The board had, therefore, on 
 June 12, at its Richmond meeting, elected Julian A. Burruss, of the 
 class of 1898, to succeed President Eggleston. The final exercises were 
 honored by the presence of Dr. McBryde, President Eggleston, and 
 President Burruss, a fact which excited much pleasant comment. 
 
 Attendance of regular students this session, not including the 
 special army detachments in short courses, 477. 
 
 On July 1, as part of the exercises, the monument erected by the 
 class of 1919 and dedicated to "Our Dead Heroes in France," was un- 
 veiled by Mrs. A. B. Moore. The Hon. George Bryan, of Richmond, 
 made the address on the occasion. This monument contains the names 
 of the dead, and no V. P. I. man passes thereby without saluting. 
 
 Governor Davis was present at the finals, and made an address to 
 the graduating class. During the exercises, President Eggleston was 
 presented with a gold watch by Cadet C. E. Whitmore on behalf of the 
 corps; and Dean Campbell presented the retiring president a silver 
 service on behalf of the faculty and others of the college. 
 
 Director Jesse M. Jones having resigned, Mr. John R. Hutcheson, 
 assistant director of the extension division for two years, was elected 
 director, at the June meeting of the board. 
 
 On July 1, President Eggleston relinquished the presidency after 
 having served for six years. 
 
 When President Eggleston took charge of the affairs of the col- 
 lege conditions were somewhat disturbed. Misunderstandings and out- 
 side interference had developed a state of unrest and suspicion not 
 conducive to the best working together of all of the forces of the col- 
 lege. With infinite tact and grace of manner, a sympathetic attitude 
 toward all, and a delicacy in holding the reins of government, Mr. Eg- 
 gleston soon caused unrest to disappear among faculty and alumni; 
 and perhaps the greatest praise that can be given his administration 
 is to say that when he resigned, to the great regret of his faculty and 
 against their earnest protest, he had developed a condition of harmony 
 and confidence that spoke better than words of his character as a leader 
 and a gentleman. 
 
 Among material improvements during this administration may be 
 mentioned the new shops building known as the "McBryde Building of 
 Mechanic Arts;" the new field house; ten new residences for college 
 employees; the acquisition of the Black property; the lease, with priv- 
 ilege of buying, of the Houston farm of 176 acres; additional concrete 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 57 
 
 walks along the most-used thoroughfares; the moving of the library 
 from its cramped quarters in the Second Academic Building to the 
 stone chapel; and a number of other material improvements. 
 
 Additional and increased appropriations from the State were se- 
 cured largely through his influence, and the meagre salaries of the 
 faculty were increased — the first increase in twenty years. The office 
 of dean of the faculty was restored ; the two-year course in agriculture 
 was systematized; and the department of agricultural education was 
 created and provision made for the erection of a building therefor. 
 
 The war training camps at the V. P. I., and the consequent devel- 
 opment of military training, also the record made by V. P. I. men, cul- 
 minated in the publishing by the War Department in June, 1919, of 
 the name of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute as one of the twelve 
 "Distinguished Colleges" in the United States. 
 
 Breaking the ground for the Alumni Gateway. 
 
58 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 V. P. I. MEN IN THE WORLD WAR 
 
 Not less than forty-two per cent of the entire alumni membership 
 of V. P. I. was enrolled in the Nation's service, and the following sta- 
 tistics will indicate how they served: 
 
 Percentage of engineers entering engineers' camps, and of men entering 
 Leavenworth regular army school, and Camps Oglethorpe, Benjamin Harri- 
 son, Grant, Gordon, Sevier, Taylor, and Plattsburg, who received commis- 
 sions 100 
 
 Percentage of successful candidates for all camps 98 
 
 Brigadier General 2 Naval Aviation Officers 13 
 
 Colonel 1 Officers in Navy 39 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel 7 Student Aviators 36 
 
 Major 33 Military Instructors 13 
 
 Captain 125 Non-Com. Officers 68 
 
 First Lieutenant 168 Privates 409 
 
 Second Lieutenant 246 Men in Navy 42 
 
 In Training Detachments 534 
 
 In S. A. T. C. and special war courses 444 
 
 Left, in training camps at time of armistice 117 
 
 Killed in France 10 
 
 Wounded in battle 28 
 
 Died in camps 18 
 
 Captured in battle (one escaped) 5 
 
 Decorated for bravery 8 
 
 Cited for bravery 9 
 
 Enemy air planes brought down 6 
 
 The only Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to a Virginian 
 was awarded to a V. P. I. student. In addition to this highest honor, 
 V. P. I. men received six or more Distinguished Service Crosses, seven 
 or more Croix de Guerre, two or more Legion of Honor, and numerous 
 other foreign decorations. 
 
P. B. Barringer, 
 President, 1907-1913. 
 
 J. D. Eggleston, 
 President, 1913-1919. 
 
 Julian A. Burruss, 
 President, 1919-1922. 
 
60 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 THE PRESENT 
 
 This brings the history to President Burruss' administration, 
 which has opened with so much promise of greater things. It is 
 worthy of note that the session of 1921-22 sees a board with four 
 alumni among its members, an alumnus as president, and a faculty, 
 about one-half of whose members are alumni who have proved them- 
 selves in other fields and have been called back to serve their alma 
 mater. With board, president, and faculty animated by a spirit to ad- 
 vance V. P. I. in every field of legitimate endeavor, we can look hope- 
 fully to the future increasing value and usefulness of the college to 
 the people of Virginia and to the Nation. 
 
 SUPPLEMENT 
 
 The historical summary prepared by Professor Smyth reaches 
 only to the beginning of the present administration. Believing that 
 the alumni and other friends of the institution wish to know something 
 of the accomplishments of the three years now closing, it is considered 
 not inappropriate to add the statements which follow. 
 
 The entire organization of the institution has been revised as 
 shown in the accompanying chart. 
 
 Closer co-operation among the various divisions of the institution, 
 particularly the main divisions of resident instruction, extension, 
 and research in agriculture has been secured; and closer and 
 more sympathetic relationship with other agricultural agencies in 
 Virginia has been established. A mutually helpful affiliation has been 
 arranged between the Virginia Truck Experiment Station and the 
 college, particularly for research and extension work; and an arrange- 
 ment with the Blacksburg high school for teacher-training purposes 
 has been operated successfully for two years. 
 
 The agricultural experiment station has added to its equipment 
 and resources and has begun a period of expansion. 
 
 The extension division has added to its staff and to its projects, 
 and it has been brought into close correlation with the experiment 
 station and the division of resident instruction. 
 
 The summer school has been reorganized and enlarged, and it is 
 being put upon a sound basis, so that next year it will be in every 
 sense an integral part of the college session. Summer activities in 
 connection with the boys and girls clubs, the farmers institute, etc., 
 under the direction of the extension division, have been greatly ex- 
 panded. 
 
 Net additions to the regular resident faculty of the college number 
 twenty-seven members, plus nineteen additional instructors and as- 
 sistants. 
 
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62 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 All of the curricula of the college have been completely reorgan- 
 ized and modernized. The general curriculum in agriculture has been 
 superseded by six co-ordinate curricula, in agricultural education, ag- 
 ricultural engineering, agronomy, animal husbandry, dairy husbandry, 
 and horticulture. Curricula in industrial education and commercial 
 engineering have been established, co-ordinate with the other four-year 
 engineering curricula. The civil engineering curriculum now permits 
 specialization in highway engineering; and the mining engineering 
 curriculum permits specialization in coal mining engineering. The 
 curriculum in general science has been eliminated, but four-year pro- 
 grams are maintained in biology, chemistry, geology, and metallurgy; 
 and a definitely outlined pre-medical curriculum has been provided. 
 A two-year curriculum in practical mechanics and a short unit course 
 in printing have been added. Foreign languages are elective but no 
 longer required. 
 
 New departments have been developed in agricultural engineer- 
 ing, education, industrial education, physical education (including 
 hygiene, and physical training), poultry husbandry, social science (in- 
 cluding agricultural economics, industrial economics, citizenship, 
 human relations, and a number of courses in business administration, 
 business law, finance, accounting, etc.) In the department of English, 
 courses in agricultural journalism, technical English, and public 
 speaking, have been inaugurated. 
 
 A credit-hour system, such as is in operation at the best colleges 
 of the country, has been in use for the past two years, in the effort 
 to apportion equitably a student's time among the various departments 
 in which he is working. 
 
 The marking system of the college has been completely changed, 
 for the first time in thirty years; and a modern system of quality- 
 credits and symbols has been adopted. Minimum standards of 
 scholarship have been set, below which if a student falls he is required 
 to leave the institution. Students whose conduct or classwork is below 
 the standard have been consistently dropped from the rolls during the 
 current year. 
 
 The regulations for the government of the students have been 
 completely revised. 
 
 The annual catalog has been completely re-written; and the bul- 
 letin has been changed from a quarterly to a bi-monthly, with a defi- 
 nite objective for each number during the year. 
 
 A department of industrial education for teacher-training 
 in trades and industries, under the Smith-Hughes law, has been 
 established; and this department in addition to its resident instruction 
 offers extension courses for teachers in service. 
 
 A department of health, with a full-time health officer, has been 
 provided. 
 
 The laboratories of the State Highway Commission for the test- 
 ing of road materials, have been established at this college as a part of 
 the department of civil engineering. 
 
 An engineering experiment station has been started, on a modest 
 basis, and this has already done some good work. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 68 
 
 The number of United States army officers regularly assigned to 
 the college has been increased from two to seven, and in addition 
 seven sergeants and two mechanics have been detailed here from the 
 regular army. R. 0. T. C. units in coast artillery, engineering, and 
 Infantry are regularly maintained, on a large scale. 
 
 The old brick shops building has been converted into a military 
 laboratory with shooting-gallery and rooms for various military pur- 
 poses. The outdoor rifle range has been improved and a pistol range 
 established. Approximately three hundred thousand dollars worth 
 of military equipment has been added by the War Department, chiefly 
 for the coast artillery and engineering units. Many new instruments 
 have been supplied for the use of the band. 
 
 For three successive years the institution has been given the high- 
 est military rank by the War Department, as a "distinguished col- 
 lege"; yet this college claims to be merely a technical institution with 
 a military department. 
 
 The athletic interests have been brought into closer connection 
 with the college organization, the athletic director being made a mem- 
 ber of the faculty and the athletic coaches having regular rank on the 
 instructional staff. Mass athletics and minor sports are being greatly 
 developed, and physical education and hygiene are now required of all 
 freshmen and are elective for others. 
 
 The college has joined the southern intercollegiate athletic con- 
 ference, composed of fifteen of the leading institutions in this section, 
 and this has established very important regulations for raising and 
 maintaining athletic standards. 
 
 A subsidiary athletic field has been graded by the Athletic Asso- 
 ciation. The college has constructed a number of additional tennis 
 courts and has added to the gymnasium a considerable amount of 
 equipment for indoor sports. 
 
 The enrolment of regular session students has been more than 
 doubled since 1919, being now 980, which is more than thirty-four 
 per cent greater than the enrolment of any previous year in the his- 
 tory of the college. 
 
 The entrance requirements have been raised from fourteen units, 
 with conditional entrance allowed on twelve units, to fifteen units with 
 no quantitative conditions whatever, and admission has been restricted 
 to graduates of accredited four-year high schools and other institutions 
 recognized as standard by the State Department of Public Instruction 
 and the state university, thus bringing the requirements for admission 
 to the highest standard. 
 
 Women have been admitted to all curricula of the college on the 
 same basis as men. 
 
 The time devoted to term examinations has been cut to about 
 one-half, thus affording more time for actual instruction; and classes 
 are started on the second day of the session instead of using four or 
 five days for registration as formerly. 
 
 Orientation and introductory courses for freshmen have been in- 
 augurated. Faculty advisers have been appointed for students. The 
 student assembly has been revived. 
 
64 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 Eight teaching fellowships for graduates of this and other insti- 
 tutions have been established. 
 
 Three undergraduate scholarships have been established, for the 
 students who lead in scholarship in the freshman, sophomore, and 
 junior classes respectively. 
 
 A chapter of the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi has been in- 
 augurated, to which members of the faculty in limited number and a 
 likewise limited number of senior students are eligible strictly on a 
 basis of scholarship. 
 
 The literary societies have been revived after being dead for 
 several years; and despite the fact that because of over-crowded con- 
 ditions it has been necessary to use their halls for classroom purposes, 
 they have grown in numbers and in interest, and the first public pro- 
 gram in many years was held this year. 
 
 The state appropriations to the college proper have been increased 
 106 per cent, to the experiment station 73 per cent, to the extension 
 division 118 per cent, and to certain affiliated interests 48 per cent, 
 with an increase in the total for all divisions of 100 per cent over 
 1918-19. 
 
 Federal funds for teacher-training in vocational agriculture and 
 for extension work in agriculture and home economics have been in- 
 creased. 
 
 The loan funds and scholarships have been enlarged. 
 
 The service and commercial departments have been put on a busi- 
 ness basis. The accounting has been centralized in one business office. 
 The entire institution has been placed on a budget system, with a 
 definite allocation of funds and with control of expenditures through 
 the central business office. A requisition system for purchases and 
 also for job-work has been put into operation. The office of business 
 manager has been created. 
 
 The floating debt has been reduced to a comparatively small 
 amount, being now only about one-half of its amount three years ago. 
 During the three years now closing neither the bonded debt nor the 
 floating debt has been increased. The sinking-fund for the bonded 
 debt is being built up. A reserve fund is being accumulated to meet 
 claims under the workmen's compensation law. 
 
 A new and more equitable salary scale, providing definite ranges 
 of salaries for the various grades of positions, has been adopted for 
 the instructional staff; and a definite and fair plan of house assign- 
 ment for professors has been established. 
 
 The salaries of members of the faculty have been increased by an 
 average of about thirty per cent in three years ; and the salaries of all 
 other employees have been proportionately increased. . 
 
 A splendid farm of 176 acres has been purchased and paid for in 
 full. Another tract of about ten acres has been acquired, and also a 
 lot of about two acres, both being paid for at the tiime of purchase. 
 
 A small building has been erected for the department of agricul- 
 tural education, of which a portion is now used for the department 
 of industrial education and also for an office for the alumni associa- 
 tion. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic [nstitute 65 
 
 Oho professor's house lias been added by purchase and another by 
 erection. A brick, two-story apartment house, for four families, has 
 been erected by the extension division. Two cottages have been erect- 
 ed for farm labor. All o( these have been paid for in full. 
 
 A large wooden structure has been erected to house the farm 
 machinery secured by the department of agricultural engineering. 
 
 A poultry plant of considerable proportions is being developed. 
 
 A printing department, which publishes the bulletins, catalogs, 
 etc., of the college, and trains linotype machine operators, has been 
 established and is being operated with a large output of work. 
 
 A large storage yard, with sheds, stables, and other structures, 
 has been provided near the campus, permitting the removal of a 
 number of unsightly structures from the campus. 
 
 Many new walks have been made on the campus, some of the 
 drives have been laid out anew, sodding and planting have been done 
 in various places. 
 
 The farm plant is now in process of renovation, several 
 buildings have been considerably enlarged, new structures have been 
 erected, old and dilapidated fences are being replaced by modern fen- 
 cing, considerable grading and clearing up of the grounds has been 
 accomplished, and all of the barns and sheds have been painted, so that 
 when these improvements are completed the entire farm plant will 
 have been overhauled and put in good condition. 
 
 The attic of the agricultural hall has been developed for agronomy 
 laboratories, and the space allotted to dairy husbandry has been in- 
 creased by providing new quarters for stock-judging. Improvements 
 have been made in the science hall, strengthening the building and 
 better adapting it to the heavy use which is made of it. Steps have 
 been built at the front of the mechanic arts building, and the two tower 
 rooms have been developed for use as highway engineering testing 
 laboratories, Certain offices in the administration building have been 
 greatly improved, and various other improvements of a more or less 
 important character have been made. 
 
 The interior of Academic Building No. 2 has been completely 
 remodeled so as to economize space and to make available an addi- 
 tional story, but this work has not been entirely finished. 
 
 Improvements, at considerable expense, have been made to the 
 water-supply system and to the sewage disposal plant. 
 
 Improvements have been made to the laundry building and a con- 
 siderable amount has been expended for new laundry machinery. 
 
 A new engine and dynamo room has been built at the power plant, 
 and the old engines, dynamos, and accessories have been completely 
 replaced with modern equipment, giving increased and better dis- 
 tributed capacity. The old engine room is being converted into an 
 experimental engineering laboratory. The lights on the streets of the 
 town and on the campus, for the most part, have been put on a series 
 system with control at the power-plant. The distribution system 
 has been re-arranged in a number of independent circuits, each with 
 central control. A large number of additional lights have been placed 
 on the grounds. 
 
66 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 Practically every building on the campus has been painted on the 
 outside, and some also on the inside. The interior of the assembly 
 hall has been completely renovated, with important changes to the 
 stage. 
 
 The Y. M. C. A. building has been greatly improved inside, 
 through the efforts of the ladies' auxiliary and other friends. 
 
 The laboratory equipment of all departments has been largely in- 
 creased, in some cases more than doubled. A large amount of valu- 
 able engineering equipment has been added, particularly for experi- 
 mental engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanic arts. Many 
 additions have been made to the libraries. Much general classroom 
 and office furniture has been added. Equipment for fire protection 
 has been increased. 
 
 Contract has been made for the building of a bituminous macadam 
 road, sixteen feet in width, from the alumni gateway to the Y. M. C. 
 A. building, and of a similar road, twelve feet in width, from the street 
 to the power-plant, so that these roads will be no longer impassable 
 in winter. 
 
 Plans have been made for remodeling the kitchen wing of the 
 dining-hall, and for remodeling the hospital; and the work will be 
 completed during the coming summer. 
 
 Funds have been made available for remodeling the heating 
 system of the library building, and this will be made comfortable be- 
 fore next winter. 
 
 Funds have been provided and plans are now being made for the 
 establishment of beef-cattle herds in the department of animal 
 husbandry. 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 07 
 
 SERVICE ORGANIZATION 
 
 l. Etaddenl Instruction. 
 
 Trains young men and 
 youn.tr women for gainful 
 oceopations needed in Vir- 
 ginia, and for useful public 
 service and intelligent citi- 
 zenship. 
 
 2. Experimentation and Re- 
 search. 
 
 Answers by carefully plan- 
 ned experiments the funda- 
 mental problems in farm 
 management and practise, 
 under local conditions. 
 
 3. Extension Service. 
 
 Carries the College and 
 Experiment Station to the 
 farm and home, furnishes 
 practical information of im- 
 mediate application. 
 
 Four-Year Courses in 
 
 Agriculture — Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy 
 (Farm Management), Animal Husbandry, 
 Dairy Husbandry, Horticulture, Agricultural 
 Education. 
 Engineering — Chemical, Civil, Commercial, Elec- 
 trical, Mechanical, Mining, Industrial Educa- 
 tion. 
 Applied Science — Biology, Chemistry, Geology, 
 Metallurgy. 
 Graduate Courses in 
 
 All of the above lines. 
 Two-Year Courses in 
 
 Practical Agriculture, Home Demonstration, Pre- 
 Medical Education. 
 Sfiort Unit Courses in 
 
 Agriculture, Printing (Linotype). 
 | Summer Courses in 
 
 | Vocational Agriculture, Trades and Industries, 
 Certain College Subjects, and Certain Entrance 
 Unit Subjects. 
 
 f Agricultural Experiment Station 
 
 Investigation as to crops, soils, fertilizers, feeds, 
 feeding, plant and animal breeding, orcharding, 
 dairying, diseases of plants and animals, insect 
 pests, etc. Bulletins mailed free to farmers. 
 Eight County Experiment Stations 
 
 Local farm problems studied. 
 Leased and Co-operating Orchards 
 
 Local experiments in orcharding in the fruit-grow- 
 ing sections. 
 Crop Pest Commission 
 
 Control of insect pests and plant diseases. Bulle- 
 tins mailed free. 
 Virginia Truck Experiment Station 
 
 Not under college control, but closely affiliated for 
 helpful co-operation. Truck experiments and 
 local problems of Eastern Virginia studied. 
 Bulletins mailed free. 
 
 C Extension Division 
 
 County Agent work in Agriculture and Home 
 Economics. Boys' and Girls' Clubs. Farmers' 
 organizations. P'armers' Institutes and other 
 meetings, lectures, and demonstrations. Plans 
 for farm engineering, etc. Exhibits at fairs. 
 Bulletins mailed free. Advice to farmers, farm- 
 ers' wives, boys and girls, by correspondence 
 and visits by specialists, on technical phases of 
 farming and household work. All service free. 
 
68 
 
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 w 
 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 69 
 
 ENROLLMENT BY YEARS 
 
 (Regular session only — short course omitted.) 
 
 1872-73 132 1897-98 333 
 
 1873-74 197 1898-99 303 
 
 L874-75 222 1899-00 343 
 
 L876-76 255 1900-01 386 
 
 1876-77 224 1901-02 472 
 
 1877-78 186 1902-03 627 
 
 1878-79 160 1903-04 727 
 
 1879-80 50 1904-05 728 
 
 L880-81 78 1905-06 619 
 
 L881-82 148 1906-07 577 
 
 1882-83 163 1907-08 546 
 
 1883-84 190 1908-09 565 
 
 1884-85 132 1909-10 509 
 
 1885-86 (?) 1910-11 471 
 
 1886-87 110 1911-12 463 
 
 1887-88 132 1912-13 471 
 
 1888-89 127 1913-14 527 
 
 1889-90 139 1914-15 490 
 
 1890-91 150 1915-16 505 
 
 1891-92 135 1916-17 533 
 
 1892-93 177 1917-18 519 
 
 1893-94 236 1918-19 477 
 
 1894-95 . 325 1919-20 757 
 
 1895-96 335 1920-21 793 
 
 1896-97 336 1921-22 975 
 
 Prior to 1912-13 the entrance requirements were not clearly de- 
 fined in terms of units. In 1912-13 they were made 10 units, in 1914- 
 15 they were raised to 14 units, and in 1920-21 they were raised to 15 
 
 units, with two conditioned units allowed. For 1922-23 the full 15 
 units will be required, no conditions in quantity being allowed. 
 
70 
 
 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 SUMMARY OF GRADUATES BY CLASSES AND COURSES 
 
 
 COURSE 
 
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 03 
 
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 1875 _ _ 
 
 
 6 
 
 22 
 9 
 9 
 7 
 6 
 3 
 8 
 5 
 6 
 
 5 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 4 
 8 
 2 
 5 
 3 
 4 
 3 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 26 
 
 17 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 11 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 9 
 
 18 
 
 19 
 
 20 
 
 17 
 
 26 
 
 25 
 
 35 
 
 43 
 
 34 
 
 59 
 
 77 
 
 65 
 
 70 
 
 42 
 
 45 
 
 48 
 
 69 
 
 44 
 
 47 
 
 52 
 
 60 
 
 77 
 
 67 
 
 29 
 
 36 
 
 79 
 
 75 
 
 4 
 
 1876 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 1877 __ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 1878 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1879 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 *, 
 
 1880 _ . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 S 
 
 1881 . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1882 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ft 
 
 1883 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 1884 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1885 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1886 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1887 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1888 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 3 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 17 
 
 8 
 
 13 
 
 16 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 11 
 
 10 
 
 14 
 
 9 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 14 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 9, 
 
 1889 __ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1890 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 1892 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1893 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 1894 _ 
 
 
 ~"l 
 
 l 
 
 l 
 
 "l 
 
 l 
 3 
 4 
 2 
 4 
 2 
 1 
 2 
 1 
 3 
 1 
 2 
 1 
 3 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 4 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 4 
 
 5 
 4 
 5 
 3 
 9 
 8 
 4 
 3 
 4 
 8 
 5 
 9 
 3 
 5 
 4 
 4 
 3 
 2 
 4 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 11 
 
 7 
 
 11 
 
 19 
 
 23 
 
 17 
 
 21 
 
 7 
 
 13 
 
 19 
 
 16 
 
 16 
 
 9 
 
 21 
 
 14 
 
 23 
 
 23 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 17 
 
 14 
 
 4 
 2 
 2 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 
 ____ 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1895 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 2 
 4 
 3 
 2 
 4 
 2 
 6 
 2 
 3 
 3 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 "~2 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 15 
 
 20 
 
 25 
 
 17 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 1896 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1897 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ?, 
 
 1898 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1899 
 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 2 
 2 
 9 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 18 
 
 25 
 
 23 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 21 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 1900 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 1901 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1902 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1903 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 1904 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 1905 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 1906 
 
 
 
 
 
 ?, 
 
 1907 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 1908 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1909 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 1910 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 ?, 
 
 1911 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 1912 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1913 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 1914 
 
 
 — 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1915 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 1916 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 l 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 ~~1 
 
 3 
 
 1917 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1918 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1919 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 1920 
 
 _ 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1921 
 
 2 
 
 ___ 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Totals__ 
 
 8 
 
 294 
 
 39 
 
 125 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 1 3 
 
 26 
 
 35 
 
 48 
 
 226 
 
 277 
 
 352 
 
 17 
 
 1459 
 
 109 
 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
 
 71 
 
 GRADUATE DEGREES AWARDED 
 
 
 DEGREE 
 
 YEAR 
 
 1 1 
 M. S. | Ch. E. C. E. 
 
 E. E. 
 
 1 1 
 E. M. 1 M. E. | Totals 
 
 1893- - . 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 5 
 2 
 
 1 1 1 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 B9 l . 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 1 
 2 
 2 
 1 
 4 
 2 
 7 
 8 
 7 
 10 
 4 
 8 
 6 
 4 
 3 
 4 
 6 
 5 
 2 
 2 
 1 
 1 
 2 
 2 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 ls'.i:. 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 1896- 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 1897— 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 1898- . . 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 1899- . 
 
 2 
 2 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 1900— 
 
 
 4 
 2 
 
 2 
 3 
 6 
 3 
 5 
 12 
 7 
 4 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 1901 _ . 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 1902. 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 1903 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 1904- . 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 1905 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 1906 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 1907 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 1908— 
 
 3 
 3 
 3 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 21 
 
 1909 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 1910 
 
 r. 
 
 3 
 1 
 
 4 
 4 
 2 
 4 
 5 
 
 1 
 ----- 
 
 15 
 
 1911- 
 
 9 
 
 1912— 
 
 
 7 
 
 15 
 
 1913 _ 
 
 4 
 1 
 9 
 
 7 
 1 
 1 
 5 
 3 
 4 
 
 
 13 
 
 1914 _ 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 1915. 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 1916 
 
 
 3 
 3 
 
 15 
 
 1917 
 
 12 
 
 1918. 
 
 3 
 
 1919 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 1920—- ._ 
 
 2 
 
 
 7 
 
 1921 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 73 
 
 2 
 
 70 
 
 30 
 
 3 
 
 98 
 
 276 
 
THE COLLEGE AND THE STATE 
 
 *m* HE CHIEF CONCERN of a state should be 
 It \ the development of intelligence and integ- 
 ^■■^ rity among its citizens. This is the sole 
 foundation for permanent progress and prosperity. 
 Material resources are an immense advantage, but 
 brain power is necessary to bring them to fruition, 
 and virtue is essential to the perpetuation of the 
 commonwealth. The chief business of the college is 
 to train minds and develop characters for service to 
 the state. The objectives of any state-supported 
 institution must be what the state needs to have 
 done by that particular institution. All claims for 
 support from the state must be based on clearly de- 
 fined needs to reach these objectives. Only in the 
 degree to which a state college uses its facilities to 
 meet the demands which the state rightfully makes 
 of it, can it expect support from the state. Only in 
 the degree to which the state supports its state 
 college can the state reasonably expect that college 
 to meet the demands of the state. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 30112 111511660