iBWy^ttwI^Wv'^ "< t 4>rt"W'Tr IT' V^ iTT-.l at -g ■— * . ILM. I£6uKKe Y ■ ,HECORD OF A DECADE ^ j - r*T^fcTt^^nM1i(ffy33ES>ffefln ^Ufflfl^v 'V » MMfHBf^nitiilffiHMiitiiijilM ^*- .-jtogaggV—cy; , titffiM!ffli™W iH^^Htl 1 . ij|MglF" ffillffffiflill ■■•v : -v^--' / '" Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/recordofdecadeOOuniv 1 DEC 1 4 1955 THE RECORD OF A DECADE Addresses made at the dinner commemorating ten years of service by Dr. Milo Smith Ketchum as Dean of the College of Engineering and Director of the Engineering Experiment Station, University of Illinois, at the Champaign Country Club, May 25, 1932 -SSJ5JSS5 K1 urbm*&- t ,g The arrangements for the dinner commemorating a decade of service by Dean Milo S. Ketchum in the t X College of Engineering and Engineering Experiment * •• Station were made by a committee consisting of the W following men in the College of Engineering: Professor A. N. Talbot, Chairman Professor A. C Callen *~ Professor J. S. Crandell Professor F. E. Richart i 830484 THE RECORD OF A DECADE Dinner in Honor of Doctor Milo S. Ketchum at the Champaign Country Club, May 35, 1932 PROGRAM Soag: Hail to the Orange Assembly before sitting Dinner Toastmaster Waltz Song from Romeo et Julliette The College of Engineering and its Development Ten Years of Progress in the College of Engineering Poem: A Diversion Earlier Experiences of Dean Ketchum The Ladies' View-Point Song from Magic Ring Letters: Dr. C. R. Richards Dr. W. L. Abbott Words of Greeting Response: 1. Dean Ketchum 2. Mrs. Ketchum Greetings by President Barrett and President Chase* Adjournment and Personal Congratulations Professor A. N. Talbot Mrs. C H. Springer Professor A- IT- Talbot Dean H. H. Jordan Mrs. J. J. Doland Professor W. C. Huntington Mrs. F. B. Seely Professor R. P. Hoelscher Professor A. C Willard ♦On account of having to leave early to fulfill an important engagement, President Chase gave his greetings at the beginning of the program of speeches. Introductory Remarks on the Development of the College of Engineering — By Arthur N. Talbot Doctor ketchum (Our Honored Guest), President Chase, Mr. Barrett, Ladies and Gentlemen: It gives me keen pleasure to preside over this great family gathering of what may be called the co-workers of the Engineering College, for I doubt not the ladies all feel a part ownership in the work of the men. It is to be regretted that the limitations of space made it necessary to confine the invitations mostly to the older members of the faculty. It is common experience that time passes all too swiftly. We take little note of its passing until some milestone in the pro- gress of events halts us a moment to appraise the record of ac- complishments. The milestone that brings us together tonight is the completion of another decade of progress and the desire to make some recognition of the services of Dr. Milo S. Ketchum as Dean of the College of Engineering. Other speakers will talk of Dean Ketchum' s life and work, but before calling on them I will attempt to say a few words about the earlier developments of the College, very sketchily of course, and without any effort in making a history. A few dates will be used to denote some separations of time. To insure not overrunning the limits of time I shall read from manuscript. 1877 In 1877, fifty-five years ago, I entered the University as a freshman. In the nine years that had elapsed since the opening of the institution, many improvements had been made and entrance re- quirements and methods of instruction had gone beyond the pioneer stage. The senior class of that year, 1577-78 (the class that gave the tower clock and put their class numerals 7 8 on the north dial) was the first class to have degrees conferred — before that only certificates of graduation had been given — the legislature authorized the granting of degrees in 1877. There were then on the campus the new main building, now called University Hall, the shops and drill hall where the wood shop now stands, and the then new chemistry laboratory, the building east of University Hall (then one of the best equipped and most commodious in the country); chemistry and physics had been quite well developed. There were 300 men students, one -fourth of them engineers. The financial affairs of the institution were so bad that a ten per cent cut had just been made in the salaries of all the faculty, and the old schedule was not restored for many years. There were three engineering curricula, — architecture, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering, with a little instruction in mining. The heads of departments were Ricker, Webb, and Robinson. Professor Ricker was a pioneer teacher in architecture in this country, himself creating much of his work. Professor J. Burkitt Webb in civil engineering was an able and scholarly man, who left at the end of my freshman year and later taught mechanics and mathematical physics at Cornell and Stevens Institute of Technology. Professor Stillman W. Robinson, who also taught physics, was one of the very first teachers of mechanical engineering in the country — a very able man, versatile, mathematical, practical, ingenious and ahead of his time; he left at the end of my first year to go to Ohio State University because of the low salary paid here. Besides these three professors, there were three ■o- assistants, I. 0. Baker who helped in civil engineering and physics, one man in the machine shop and one in the wood shop — that six constituted the whole engineering faculty. No laboratory instruction in engineering was given except the chop work and that in physics. The next year Professor Baker was put in charge of civil engineering, as instructor, and Professor Peabody, afterward president of the Institution, was made professor of mechanical engineering. As I look back on it now, the quality of the instruction given in engi- neering was of relatively high grade and must have compared well with. that of the few other institutions in the country giving such work. 1885 In 1885, one of these business depressions crme along; a very bad one, I thought — at least for engineers. With many others I was demoted — salary cut — but thought I was lucky to keep a job. Then out of a clear sky, a letter came from the president of the University asking if I would like to take a place as assistant professor of engineering and mathematics to succeod Professor Sondericker, \7ho was to take p. better place at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I had had no thought of teachine — engi- neering was my objective — but I concluded here was a good opportunity to develop myself in another way for a year or two until times were better and so I gave an affirmative reply and I have been here ever since. That first year 1885-86 was the low mark in attendance in the University except for the first few yearn of its life. Appropriation were small, though Doctor Peabody had been able with great effort to get increased appropriations for operating expenditures. -4- 1893 1893 seems a turning point. The attendance had increased every year from 1885-86, especially in engineering — had risen to 113 engineering students, 40 per cent of the total number of men students. Through this time there were of course students of quality in the group — I nee6 only mention the names of three who are here tonight: Professor James M. White of ! 90; Mr. S. E. Barrett '93, President of the Board of Trustees, who honors us with his presence; and Dean Ketchum '95, whom we are so glad to honor. That year, 1893, the legislature made an appropriation for building Engineering Hall, a great step forward. That was the year of the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, a great event in the history of the middle west. The exhibit of student work in the Illinois Building attracted attention of engineering educators over the country and extended the reputation of the school. Professor Baker organized the Engineering Education Division of the World Engineering- Congress. This was the first gathering of the engineering educators of the country as such and it organized the Society for the Pro- motion of Engineering Education. That fall marked the coming of Professor Breckenridge, who did so much for mechanical engineering and the college. The next year President Draper took charge — his large job was the promotion of the affairs of the University. Then followed developments in the engineering laboratories. Stratton '84 had started electrical engineering and an electrical engineering laboratory; he later was director of the United States Bureau of Standards and is called its founder — still later he became president of the_ Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Professor Carman came in '96 and developed physics and electrical engineering. New IS mechanical engineering laboratories, materials testing laboratory, hydraulics laboratory, and civil engineering laborotories were started and developed within a few years. Additions were made to the teaching staff from time to time. Growth in number of the engi- neering students continued. By 19C0 bhe attendance constituted more than 50 per cent of the men students and some years more than SO per cent . 1305 1903 started another era. That year as a result of a special campaign for a large appropriation as an "uplift" for the College of Engineering, the legislature appropriated a special fund of $150,000 for the College of Engineering for the biennium. The corps of instruction was strengthened. Increased equipment of engineering laboratories followed. The Engineering Experiment Station was established by the Board of Trustees, and in 1904 the first Bulletin of the Station appeared. Further developments followed with later continued appropriations. By this time there was a well-selected faculty — I am sorry time will not permit mentioning names. More new departments were formed, — mining engineering, railway engineering, ceramic engineering, drawing, as well as expansion in the other departments, with an effort always to increase quality everywhere. With the young Engineering Experiment Station came the development of research work. The result altogether was an improved standing of the college among the growing engineering schools of the country. Further development and improvement and advance has continued as time has gone on, as you all know. The Dean's Office . With these great developments have come marked changes in the nature of the dean's duties and services. From 1878, when the position was established, to the coming of President Draper in 1894, the duties of Professor Ricker as dean were hardly more than nominal. From 1894 to 1905 when Doctor Ricker retired from the office of dean, he gave a considerable part of his time to his work in architecture. In the two years that Professor White was dean, 1905-07, (and let me say here that Professor White filled this office very creditably and very acceptably and with great advantage to the college, and the faculty regretted his leaving it to start his great work as supervising architect of the University) — through this time Professor White carried practically full trork of instruction in architecture. But Dean Goss, who followed Professor White, gave his entire time to being dean and director and was relieved of many duties of the work by the new position of Assistant Dean. Similarly Dean Richards found that the administrative duties wore strenuous and time consuming. As the years have gone on, with growth in faculty and station and activities and outside connections the position of dean naturally has grown in magnitude and importance in the affairs of the College of Engineering. Dean Ketchum has occupiec the position longer than any other Dean except Doctor Ricker and has given valuable and valued service to the University. It is not my part to tell of his accomplishments in this position. These remarks are intended to call to our minds the great growth of the College of Engineering through the years, to remind us of the standing it has made among our fellow schools, of its efforts in encouraging good teaching, of its belief in the value of engineering education — even of the culture it gives the engineering -7- students right in their engineering studies and its continuing effect on their later life, of the productive work in the college in the line of writings, books, and research, of its coordination and co- operation with the University ae a whole, of its own esprit de corps, cf the contacts and participation of the faculty in engineering technical organizations and with the engineering profession as a whole — all of this for the purpose of bringing out on this occasion the size and strength and standing of the College of Engineering among the engineering schools of the country and to give a background to the duties and purpose and importance of the office of Dean of this College, so as to furnish a scale, a unit of measure, a method of judging of the value of the service given by Dean Ketchum to the College and the University during the last ten years, a service that has been so outstandingly valuable as to deserve our gathering here tonight in his honor. After this long introduction I know you will be glad to hear about the record of the past decade from one who has been very close to the affairs of the College and knows whereof he speaks. Dean H. H. Jordan, whom I am pleased now to present, has for his topic "Ten Years of Progress in the College of Engineering." Ten Years of Progress in the College of Engineering by Assistant Dean H. H. Jordan To appraise the accomplishments of the College of Engineering during the last ton years, we should first note briefly some of the conditions prevailing within the college at the beginning of the period and review sketchily a fe^ r events that took place just prior to the opening of the University in the fall of 1932. Professor Talbot has told us something of the history of the college during the fifty years between the graduation of the first class of six men in 1872 and the graduation of the class of 236 men and women in June, 1922. The complete record is indeed an inspiring one and challenges the best efforts and highest loyalties of those who have been and shall be privileged to project it into the succeeding fifty years. Few institutions have built better founda- tions on which to grow in their first half century of pioneer work. The enrollment at the end of this first fifty "year period was 1736 students in all departments. This was the second year of a four-year steady decline from the post-war high of 1810 students in 1919-20 to 1475 in 1923-24, since which there has been a steady rise to an all-time high of 1891 in 1929-30 and a slight decrease since. The staff of the college was composed of 138 full-time teachers and research workers and 18 part-time people. Only 61 of these could answer roll call on the campus tonight. The Engineering Experiment Station was still in its teens, having just passed its seventeenth birthday. It had completed and published bulletin number 132. The 1921-22 Annual Register shows 29 persons in the College of Engineering of professorial rank qualified to teach in ■3- the Graduate School and actually offering graduate courses. There had been 3888 bachelor's degrees conferred in the fifty years in- cluding the first class that graduated. The physical quarters of the college in 1923 were cramped at every turn and to a point almost beyond endurance. The north third of the Transportation Building had been finished the year before but already its offices, class rooms, and drawing rooms were filled to overflowing each hour of the day. Several departments were almost to a standstill in their development because of lack of space in which to work and grow. This was especially true in Architecture, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, and Electrical Engi- neering. On the side of student achievement much was to be desired although the worst effects of lowered post-war standards had passed. Students were coming into the college better prepared on the whole to do its curricula creditably but still suffering from the results that follow sudden expansion of high school and college enrollments under the stimulus of unnatural events and war psychology that had excited the popular mind. The Fiftieth Annual Commencement of the University brought to an end the administrative and educational leadership of several prominent members of the college staff. Doctor C. R. Richards was retiring as the fourth dean of the college to accept the presidency of Lehigh University. Professor I. 0. Baker had just resigned the headship of the Civil Engineering Department to become the first professor emeritus in the college. Dr. E. W. Washburn had also relinquished his place of leadership in the college as head of the -3- Department of Ceramic Engineering. It is interesting to note in connection with the retirement of Professor Baker at the beginning of the ten-year period which we are assembled to commemorate, that the Society for the! Promotion of Engineering Education, which had been organized at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 chiefly through Professor Baker's initiative and influence, met at "Illinois" in the summer of 19S2 under the auspices of the College of Engineering with Professor Baker in charge of arrangements and acting as official host. It was at this meeting that the recently completed thorough study of engineering education •t in the United States, Canada, and abroad was initiated under the in- spiring leadership of Professor Charles F. Scott of Yale University, then President of the Society, who launched his project in this very room with the oft repeated question and challenge, "What may be done in a comprehensive way to develop, broaden, and enrich engi- neering education?" Perhaps we could have appropriately titled the program of this evening with a paraphrase, "What has been done in the last ten years to develop, broaden, and enrich engineering education at the University of Illinois?" On September 1, 1922, Milo S. Ketchum took up the duties of Dean of the College of Engineering and Director of the Engineering Experiment Station where Doctor Richards had laid them down. He immediately brought the genius of his administrative, professional, and educational leadership to bear upon the pressing problems of the college. In the ten years following his installation as the fifth dean of the college much has been done to develop, broaden, and en- rich engineering education at "Illinois." -4- Measured in terms of a few numerical indices often used to focus attention on some of the more tangible evidences of progress in things educational, we may point to the fact that whereas there were 156 people of all ranks and conditions of employment on the teaching and research staffs in 1922, there are now 132, and that in place of 29 teachers accredited to the Graduate School there are now 42. The salary budget this year calls for an expenditure of $545,546 as against $488,120 in 1921-22. We shall have graduated 2479 men and women in the last ten years when the present class finishes in June as against 3888 in the preceding fifty years, and we have granted 261 graduate academic degrees as compared with 159 previously. The total expenditures for research purposes in the past ten years have been approximately $1,208,000. Expenditures for like purposes in the preceding fifty years sink into insignificance in comparison. But these figures are only indicators of the spirit of progressive leadership and achievement which we have come to this place to recognize and honor. More material evidences in the form of structures of stone and steel and in class room and laboratory facilities and apparatus attest this same spirit of progress that so markedly characterizes the ten years of Dean Ketchum's administration The physical plant and equipment of the college have been greatly enlarged and modernized. Only a brief outline of this growth can be given.' The removal of the Department of Architecture out of Engi- neering Hall into its new and ideally planned quarters on the south campus in 1928 permitted the constantly growing and terribly hampered department of Electrical Engineering to burst from its confinement , -5- as it were, in the utilization of a considerable portion of the class and drawing room space of Engineering Hall. Civil Engineering also profited greatly from the erection of the Architectural Building in that much needed space for design rooms became available where formerly the Ricker Library and architectural design rooms were located. The design and erection of the new Materials Testing Labora- tory, said b}' many foreign and American engineers and educators to be the best of its kind in the world, solved the remaining physical problems of practically every department of the college. It per- mitted the almost complete interior reconstruction of the old Theoretical a.nd Applied Mechanics laboratory and the building of a connecting corridor to the Electrical Engineering Laboratory with offices, laboratories, and a lecture hall sufficient to accommodate the still pressing needs of the Electrical Engineering Department in its laboratory and research activities. Alterations in the Ceramics Building immediately followed the withdrawal of the Theo- retical and Applied Mechanics Department from that structure thus permitting important expansions in the research and instructional work in ceramics. Simultaneously with these improvements came the removal of the Highway Laboratory from the Mechanica.1 Engineering Building to the new structure, giving additional space to the mechanica.1 engineers which could be coordinated very effectively with their other facilities. Civil Engineering again profited much from the erection of the new laboratory in that its more or less scattered research projects were brought together under one roof and its instructional work in highway engineering adequately provided for . -6- I-To recital of the growth of the college on the physical side would be complete v-ithout reference to the delightful quarters in which the engineering library is nov; housed. Occupying as it does th ground and second floors of the north wing of Engineering Hall, with spacious and well lighted reading areas, individual study tables, and accessible sta.ck rooms, the library is steadily becoming a very important element in our educational and research work. Its development in the last ten years has been notable. The close of the year 1931-33 sees the physical plant of the college quite adequate to present needs and certainly commensurate with any other period in meeting the educational and research demands of its time. Into this plant has gone a steady stream of modern equipment for student instruction and scientific investigation totaling more than $221,000 in ten years, and this amount is exclusive of equipment purchased from cooperating funds or from appropriations for new buildings. The magnitude and importance of all these physical improvements can be stated somewhat adequately by citing the fact that they have cost the University a bit less than one and one- half millions of dollars in this ten-year period. The spirit of progressiveness and the intent to develop can be detected readily in a college of engineering in the evolution of its curricula to .meet changing demands in the practice of the engi- neering profession and in the life of the civilization in which it exists. Well thought out curricula, are not simply statements of the efforts of the college to meet present demands; they are expressions of the foresight and acumen of the college in meeting future needs. Leaders in engineering education as in all other activities have been those who discern future trends most accurately. Some schools _7- of engineering have remained practically stationary during the last quarter century as if held by chains due, in large part, to over- emphasis of the vocational influence or attitude of their origination. Excessively large amounts of drawing, shop, surveying, and the like still predominate in their curricula. This has never been the attitude at "Illinois" at any time, a.nd certainly not in the last ten years. Our curricula, have grown with the profession, emphasizing more and more the professional point of view without sacrificing the underlying scientific and cultural values on which successful careers are based. A notable example of recent progress in this respect is to be found in the quite complete reorganization of the curricula in Ceramics and Ceramic Engineering in 1923 in the interest of consolidation on the one hand a.nd in answer to the demands for more technical and specialized training in several phases of ceramics on the other. Undoubtedly the present curricula, and facilities of instruction in ceramics at "Illinois" are unexcelled anywhere in the country. This same spirit of keeping abreast of the needs of their specia.1 fields is evidenced in the changes tha.t have been put into effect in the last ten years in the curricula of the Civil and Mining Departments as well as in Architecture and Engineering Physics. The most extensive of these curricula.rdevelopment s is probably that in Civil Engineering. Not only he.ve desired con- solidations and eliminations been effected, extending throughout the last three years of the course, but new and advanced ma.teria.ls have been added in each of the five optional programs of the -8- depa.rtmcnt . A recently established program of study in City Planning has considerably broadened the possible influence and sphere of activity of this department. In Mining Engineering the addition of metallurgical work to the department's program has greatly enhanced its opportunities for useful service. to its own students and those of other divisions of the college. Other departments have made their contributions to the list of well balanced curricula and courses of study offered to students who come to this University to prepare themselves for the practice of engineering. The enrichment of these programs of study through personal efforts of teachers whose breadth of vision has been widened by professional practice, research, graduate teaching, or study cannot be overstated. In all of this comprehensive develop- ment to broaden and enrich engineering education at "Illinois," the encouraging and supporting hand of the leader has been most noticeable . In attempting to develop a brief and adequate statement of the progress which research in the Engineering Experiment Station has made in the ten years of Dean Ket chum's administration, one is driven inevitably to a quantitative or statistical summary of what has been accomplished rather than trust himself with any super- lative qualitative characterizations. It can be said, however, in all truthfulness that the results attained have been magnificent. The spirit of research throughout every department of the College has been fostered and supported in generous portions. The attitude of "the inquiring mind," so often set up nowadays as the goal of -9- all educational effort, has certainly been encouraged and given free play during the last decade. Subordinated always to the first duty of the teacher to teach undergraduate and graduate students, it has been a notable fact that the quest for new knowledge about the scientific laws and materials of engineering has been parti- cipated in by most members of the teaching staff in addition to those employed exclusively in research work. At times, as many as 30 organized projects of study were under way. The expenditure of over $309,000 this year from all funds is at a rate four times as great as in 1921-22. The published results of these labors in one hundred and fifty-four bulletins and circulars since September 1, 1923, however gratifying, do not, of course, measure the amount of effort that has been expended nor the benefits that accrue to the University in any commensurate manner. The contacts that have been formed with industry and with organizations and men of science everywhere have brought prestige to the University and the College of Engi- neering in generous proportions. Several members of the staff have attained international reputations because of their contributions to science through their work in the Engineering Experiment Station. The value of such development to society through the training of research workers, through better codes and specifications for con- struction, and through direct monetary accumulations is impossible to estimate. Suffice it to say that the policy of expansion under able leadership has been a wise one both from the point of view of the spirit engendered in the faculty and of the benefits to society yet to accrue in large part. -10- But it is not proper to measure the progress of any insti- tution only by tangible accomplishments in the form of buildings erected, equipment installed, money paid in salaries, bulletins published, et cetera. Extremely more significant than these are the matters of developed leadership, morale, and breadth of vision prevailing in the ranks of the various departments, which in turn determine the spirit of progressiveness of the whole college. Have these more or less intangible elements developed and broadened in the past ten years or have they been on the wane? Certainly to the speaker who has lived through more than two decades of College of Engineering history there can be but one answer. — The sweep of these inner forces 1ms been constantly increasing and attaining higher levels of expression. Alertness and a spirit of cooperation throughout the staffs have been outstanding accomplishments of Dean Ket chum's leadership. Constantly emphasizing the liberal point of view, demanding high standards of achievement, and stimu- lating every effort to advance the horizons of knowledge and the art of good teaching through research and wide professional and edu- cational contacts, Dean Ket chum has done more than this brief paper may measure to build up an esprit de corps in the college that is at once notable and productive. Out of it has come a development of individual initiative and power that has brought into existence a large group of authoritative textbooks, a galaxy of scientific and educational papers, a constantly growing interest and parti- cipation in professional and scientific organizations, p.nd a teacher consciousness that is striking in its response from students No one, we think, has felt the restraint of any dictatorial policy -11- or lacked encouragement in the development of his abilities to the fullest extent. These results have not come as a matter of leadership alone. They have been but the natural consequence of high qualities of leadership combined with a rare ability to search out and choose men of strength and attainment as subordinates and privates in the ranks. Six heads of departments have assumed office since June, 1922. These men have each and all upheld and advanced the high standards of their predecessors. They have built staffs of greater strength and attainment than the college had known before. Suc- cessors to Baker, Benedict, Stock, Snodgrass, and Goodenough as well as to a score of others whom opportunit} r , not death, has called from us have been chosen and not found wanting. Professional and educational solidarity has been strengthened till the College of Engineering — our college, if you please — has come to take an honored place among the great family of engineering colleges of America and among colleges of this University. Surely much has been done in ten years under our present leader to develop, broaden, and enrich engineering education at "Illinois." May the years to come bring greater opportunity to him and to those who shall serve under him to raise to greater heights the standards that these ten years have set for us. REMARKS OF INTRODUCTION BY THE TOASTMASTSR: Mrs. Do land. After such solid stuff, it will "be a relief to have something in a lighter vein. Mrs. Doland will give a humorous selection prepared especially for the occasion by a writer named Anonymous , — whether Mr. Anonymous or Mrs. Anonymous or both I do not know. A BALLAD OF AIT EKGIKEER (Read "by Mrs. J- J. Doland) An infant's cry filled the prairie night, A mother wept for joy. A father 'looked on with eyes alight For wasn't it a boy? II He ran and played and grew a bit And started off to school Where he probably squirmed if he had to Bit In the corner for breaking a rule. Ill But ac he cat and pondered his plight A smile came over his face As he made a prediction that proved to be right "Before long I'll be running this place." IV He went to college and the fates were kind For he found a job, — then a mate Who graces his life and eases hie mind And keeps his engagements straight. For ways to build bridges of mightier span Everywhere did he look. But he could find nothing that suited his plan So he went and wrote a book. VI Then back to college he took hie wife And children two or three. He became a dean and he took to the life Like a lawyer collecting a fee. VII The boys were dumb and money was short In that land of silver and gold; But running the Bhow on nothing was sport As was casting men in the mold. VIII Ho taught them how to build a bent Or how to right the wrongo. And many heads he tried to dent With bending moment polygons. IX Twice each ye.ar he held pink teas For lade in uncertain state He led : em fits and they jumped like fleas But in the end — they'd usually graduate More books — a viaduct or two And bins equipped with chutes And among the other things he knew Was litigating patent suits. XI Then war I and he helped in the nation's need For aid in those s birring times, By building a powder plant to feed The guns on the western lines. XII Ten years ago Alma Mater called, "Come back home my son You have been away too long my boy I need you now," she said. XIII He heeded her voice, no dear to him And gives of his talents free To add to her fame, do she says to him, "God's blessing and may life long be." REMARKS OF INTRODUCTION BY THE TOASTMASTSR: Professor Huntington. Milo Ketchum was living before he cejne here as Dean. An old student of his at the University of Colorado knovs much about his earlier life — whether it is all good or not I cannot say. I am sure re shall "be pleased to hear Professor Huntington speak on "The Earlier Experiences of Dean Ketchur.i." THE EARLIER YEARS OF DEAN MILO SMITH XETCKUM by Professor W. C. Huntington This evening re have gathered to commemorate the closing of a decade of service at the University of Illinois by Dean Ketchum It is my privilege to tell briefly of more than two decades of his carreer which preceded his coming to the University of Illinois as Dean and Director. Most of the comments which will be made this evening will refer directly to the work of Dean Ketchum, but a.ll I shall say and I am sure that the remarks of others will apply, indirectly at least, to Mrs. Ketchum. She has not only stood in the background to encourage in times of trial and to commend achievement but has played an active part in, what Dean Ketchum and others have con- sidered to be, a joint enterprise. Twenty-seven years ago at the University of Colorado I joined a long line of students who v/ere just about to take the first steps on that long but interesting tre.il which led to engi- neering as a life work. Occupying a strategic position which all of us must pass was our honored guest of this evening. Most of us did not realize that he too was embarking on a new career, for the title of Dean, which was to become almost a part of his name , had only recently been conferred upon him. It was apparent to all of us that he stood firmly at the helm, knew where he was going, and was qualified to tell us the paths which we were to follow. While still young in years, he was experienced in edu- cational matters because of six years of service on the staff of his Alma Mater, the University of Illinois, and one year as Head -3- of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado, He had also gained experience in the application of the principles which he taught, for he had held the responsible position of Con- tracting Engineer for the Gillctte-F.erzog Manufacturing Company and for the American Bridge Company. In those positions he was thrown into the midst of whirl of competitive engineering practice where he had to prepare designs and estimates, secure contracts and erect every variety of engineering structure from bridge to headframe and warehouse to smelter. Much of his design and estimating had to be done on the run while going from job to job with only a few hours' notice and in the face of local politics and the cutthroat and underhanded competition which accompanied bridge lettings in those days. During this period he made many friends which were to mean much to him in later life. The College of Engineering at the University of Colorado was founded in 1893 and in common r "ith many other young engineering schools in the newer areas of this count rv haxl had a slow and aimless growth. When Dean Ketchum was chosen to direct the destinio: of this institution 170 students were registered and there were about eight members of the faculty, not including members of other faculties who taught courses to engineering students. In addition to his v/ork as Dean and Head of the Civil Engineering Department, he, with the assistance of one instructor, taught all of the courses in civil engineering and mechanics. One of his first tasks wastto strengthen the work in mathematics. Other methods having failed, he was successful in securing the Regents 1 approval of a Department of Engineering Mathematics headed by an engineer, with a staff of engineers and -3- under the direction of the College of Engineering. This proved to be an excellent solution to the problem which existed there, and is still functioning admirably. Dean Ketchum realized that a College of Engineering consisted of more than an organization to teach courses. During his first year as dean, he established the Journal of Engineering to encourage faculty members to write, to let others know about the College of Engineering, and to tie the alumni more closely to the institution. This continued for many years as a high grade technical publication, but eventually gave way to the more popular magazine, The Colorado Engineer, in much the same. way that the Techno graph of earlier days has changed its character. One by-product of this publication is the alumni directory which is still published yearly and contains the name of each engineering graduate together with his address and a list of all of the positions he has occupied since graduation. He lost no time in applying for and in securing a chapter of Tau Beta Pi so that the school he represented should be listed among the leading engineering schools of the country in that respect. A Civil Engineering Society was immediately formed and the students of other departments followed this lead and organized corresponding societies. Increased laboratory facilities were secured through the establishment of a Forest Products Laboratory at the University. One thing was still lacking to complete the outward forms of a rea.1 engineering school, but this deficiency was removed during Dean Ketchum' s second year by the establishing of engineering _4_ inspection trips* These trips carried the junior and senior engi- neering students over most of the state in special cars or trains and in addition to acquainting the students with various phases of engineering construction let the people of the state know that there was a real College of Engineering at the University of Colorado. Inspection trips were looked forward to by the students and unless carefully supervised night have become mere pleasure trips, especially if the students had known how real engineers conduct their trips during the conventions which they try to make their wives believe are so important. I am going to tell of an incident which happened on one of these trips which illustrates Dean Ket drum's belief in direct action as a solution to most difficulties. The students had planned a big celebration to be held at the attractive resort town of Glcnwood Springs where they were scheduled to spend one night. Nothing was said to the faculty members about these plans, for -the students did not wish to have them thwarted. The train slowed down as it came into town but did not hesitate at the station, in fact, to everyone's surprise it began to pick up speed again and did not stop until a siding many miles from anywhere was reached. Here we spent the night in the sleeping cars. If Dean Ketchum had been consulted and had been assured by responsible students that the celebration would be properly con- ducted, there would have been no interference on his part. A memorable incident in the student life at the University of Colorado was the general strike which occurred in the fall of -5- 1910. Because of violating tlie rule against hazing several students were suspended for short periods and some of the campus orators took advantage of the situation to "bring about a strike as a protest against this action. Most of the students didn't know just what the grievance was but considered the whole matter as a lark. However, if the demand that the suspended students be re- instated had been granted, discipline at the University would have received a severe setback. Dean Ketchum took the lead in standing firm and the difficulty soon blew over, but he felt that the whole trouble could have been avoided if it had been properly handled- At intervals during the year Dean Ketchum had his famous "Pink Teas" to which all students whose work was unsatisfactory were invited. For obvious reasons, invitations were always ac- cepted but not always with pleasure. Dean Ketchum had the utmost sympathy for students who were putting forth an earnest effort, but those who failed to attend class and to carry on their daily work did not enjoy those occasions. Only a few of the superficial aspects of Dean Ketchum' s administration at Colorado have been mentioned because his major accomplishments can be mentioned only in general terms. Day by day during his long period of service he was building up a morale and spirit among the students and faculty which was conspicuous while he was there, which still prevails after many years of absence, and which will always be felt . He saw the weak spots in the curricula, the administration, and the teaching, and took steps to remedy them. He won the support of the administration for a part of the University which had hitherto been neglected. Largely through his efforts, the people of the state were made to realize -o- that it was not necessary for their eons to go to some far-away institution to secure excellent training in engineering. Through his contacts and those of other members of the staff, with engineers, and educators and because of the records of graduates, the College of Engineering of the University of Colorado has become favorably known. That institution was fortunate in having at its helm for so many years a strong man, a man of vision and experience, and a man with the power to put his ideas into execution. In 1919, Dean Ketchum resigned his position at the University of Colorado to become Director of Civil Engineering at the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. The approval which his ?/ork won in Colorado is evidenced by the two opportunities which he had to become president of the Colorado School of Mines at attractive salaries. In spite of his declining these invitations he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science by the Colorado School of Mines. In appreciation of his services at the University of Colorado he was again awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science by that institution. These are only a few of many opportunities he had to join the staffs of other institutions. Ear ly in his career he was offered a position as assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania. On two occasions he was invited to return to the University of Illinois, once as Professor of Structural Engineering and once as Head of the Department of Civil Engineering. So far, I have considered the phase of Dean Ketchum 1 s career -7- rhich has seemed to mo to represent his greatest achievement , but many others would have emphasized his work as an author of engi- neering books. His first venture into thin field wan the writing of the Surveying Manual in 1900 with Professor W. D. Pence. This book war an immediate success and has been one of the leading textbooks in this field for over thirty years. During the past ''year the fifth edition appeared. In 190S Dean Ketchum presented a paper on Steel Mill Buildings before the Illinois Society of Engineers and Surveyors. This paper came to the attention of the editor of "Engineering News" who suggested that it be extended and published in book form. Following this suggestion Dean Ketchum prepared the manuscript and the book appeared in 1903. This book has gone through many editions and revisions and is still one of the leading books in the field of structural engineering. The Design of Walls, Bins, and Grain Elevators appeared in 1907. Of all the books Dean Ketchum has written this one has made the greatest impression on engineering literature. It is quoted in all languages and wherever this subject is being treated. The remarkable development which has occurred in highway construction during the past few years was anticipated by Dean Ketchum when in 1908 he wrote the Design of Highway Bridges which has held the field for over twenty years. In 1912 the Design of Mine Structures appeared. The subject covered by this book is limited but the book has been very well received. -8- Noxt to the Surveying Manual in number of copies sold is the Structural Engineers' Handbook which appeared in 1914. It is a remarkable book full of the kind of material a structural engineer needs . These books were written during a period when Dean Ketchum was carrying a very heavy teaching ond administrative load. The writing of the books alone would have been more of a task than most men could carry. Much might be said concerning the desirable characteristics of these books, but the most impressive evidence of their value is the sales record of more than 150,000 copies to date. This represents an investment on the part of engineers of over half a million dollars in the product of Dean Ketchum' s pen. Another important phase of Dean Ketchum' c activities is the consulting work which he has done. His early experiences with the Gillette-Herzog Manufacturing Company and the American Bridge Company have been related. All through the many years which Dean Ketchum spent in Colorado he carried on an active consulting practice. During the school year of 1909-10, he was granted a leave of absence to form a partnership with Herbert S. Crocker now president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, His con- sulting work has included the design and construction of steel and concrete bridges and buildings, steel and timber viaducts, grain elevators, dams, retaining walls and warehouses, but time will not permit the mentioning of individual project r. One of the most difficult tasks with which an engineer can be confronted is that of being an expert ritness. Even though he is entirely competent he may be discredited by clever tactics of the opposing lawyers. In 1913 Daniel B. Luten sued a contractor who had constructed a bridge for Weld County and the county itself for infringement of his patents on reinforced concrete and bridges. Dean Ketchum was called in as expert witness for the defendant and had to carry most of the burden of the defense which, after a strenuous struggle, was decided in favor of his client. This decision had a far reaching effect on the validity of many reinforced concrete patents. During the period of rising costs which followed the war, the Denver Tramway Company which operated the street car lines in Denver found it necessary to either increase the fare or reduce wages. The first solution met with so much opposition from the city administration and others that a reduction in wages was decided upon. This immediately brought on a strike during which feeling ran very high. The company attempted to operate cars with non-union motormen and conductors but the cars were turned over and burned, carbarns were burned and some lives were lost. During the strike people who depended upon street car trans- portation had to get around the best way they could. An amusing cartoon which appeared during the heat of the fray, pictured the mayor who had opposed any increase in fares as "the man who put Denver on its feet." An application was made to the Public Utilities Commission for the permission to increase the fare to seven cents. The Tramway valued Its property at thirty-five million dollars and the Utility Commission at twenty-three million dollars. A valuation made by a man employed by a group of citizens opposing any -10- increase in faro was seven million dollars. Dean Ketchum was selected by the mayor's committee to make an independent valuation. Eis valuation was slightly higher than that of the Public Utilities Commission. The Tramway was finally forced to go into the hands of a receiver who used Dean Ketchum' s valuation fixing the fare to be changed. Dean Ketchum has served as a sole arbiter in a number of cases of dispute. In one case, an architect had ordered a contractor to remove some concrete columns supporting the first floor of a school building under construction. The columns were considered defective but the floor was satisfactory. The contractor told the architect that he would remove the columns but would not be responsible for what must necessarily happen to the floor they supported. Legal opinion secured by the school board sustained the contractor's position. It was obvious that something had to be done so Dean Ketchum was called in by the school board and the contractor and made a proposal for strengthening the columns which both parties accepted. In another case, a flume collapsed as soon as water was turned into it. Dean Ketchum was called upon to decide whether the failure wax due to faulty design or specifications prepared by the engineers or faulty construction on the part of the con- tractor. During the war, Dean Ketchum was given the stupendous task of representing the War Department in the construction of a seventy million dollar smokeless powder plant at Nitro, West Virginia. It was a rush job started with incomplete plans, with -11- raany organizations at work and many conflicting interests and extensive overlapping of authority. The architects, tho contractors, the ordnance department, and the operating company all had their organizations on the job and were all striving towards a common end but the means of arriving at that end wan often in dispute. Dean Ketchum was called upon to coordinate the work of call of these organizations and had supreme authority for doing so granted by the Secretary of War. He was Assistant Director in charge of this plant and reported to Mr. D. C. Jackling, who had general charge of all the munition plants. When construction was at its height twenty thousand men were at work placing nearly three hundred car loads of material a day and receiving $850,000 per week for their efforts. A quotation from a statement made by Mr. Jackling will give a better idea of his success in this undertaking than anything I can say. "In this work Mr. Ketchum not only demonstrated a great engineering ability, of both technical and practical kind, but his capacity for organization and tact in handling a complex situation was equally emphasized. This enterprise was one of the few government undertakings concerning which no cause could be demonstrated by anybody for charges of irregularity and extrava- gance, notwithstanding the stress under which the work was done. To my mind, Ketchum' s achievement there as an organizer and engineer is as high a tribute as any engineer can earn and Ketchum earned and deserved it." -12- No mention has been made of Dean Ketchum's activity in technical organizations where he has served as director and vice president of the American Society of Civil Engineers and president and secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education. He has often said that nearly a fourth of his income during his earlier professional years wan spent in attending society meetings. I have left many things unsaid which might have been said of this strenuous period of Dean Ket chum's life. I have dwelt upon his personal characteristics only incidentally for they can be better illustrated by his accomplishments than by words and most of you know him well enough to make any comments by me unnecessary. His earlier years were fruitful ones and the same characteristics which made them so successful have prevailed in the later years to be commented on by other speakers. REMARKS OF INTRODUCTION BY THE TOASTMASTER: Mrs. Seely. The man who succeeds as a teacher will Rucceed far better if he has for a wife one who values his work, in nympa- thetic in its difficulties, and is appreciative of its values and accomplishments. These wives are co-workers and co-partners in the work of the College of Engineering, In the earlier time we called them "better halves;" in this day of equal rights and equal suffrage I judge they would prefer to be called "equal halves" — at least they are entitled to a place on the program. To advocate their views I am much pleased to present Hrs. F. B. Seely who will npeak on "The Viewpoint of the Ladies. fl THE LADIES' VIEW POINT by Mrs. F. B. Socly We are here to celebrate ten years of our rork together under the leader chip of Dean Ketchum and Mrn. Ketchum. Ten years is almost a Quarter of the active mature life of the proverbial three score years and ten and from the ladies' viev point especially this is no small period of time. I think we all realize that our college faculty is not made up of a group of men but of a group of men plus women, and the office of the Dean is not filled by a Dean but by a Dean and a MrF. Dean. I like to think of our group as a large family, and as there is in any successful family an atmosphere of consideration and helpfulness that is produced by the kind of philosophy and tradition developed — so it is in our college group, and this is not a thing of the moment but something that gro^s up gradually through the years. Perhaps this atmosphere of understanding in our group, which from the ladies' view point, has been so pleasant and helpful has been due to the heritage handed dona to us and so ably expressed in that familiar poem — "Out Where the ^est Begins." "Out where the handclasps a little stronger Out whore the smile dwells a little longer That's where the rest begins. Out rhcro the sun is a little brighter Where the snovs that fall are a trifle whiter Where the bonds of home arc a wee bit tighter Tha.t ' s '"here the rent begins." This assuredly is one vitpl factor, but after all our ideals are established and maintained through the influence of -2- outstanding personalities. Wo have been very fortunate during these ten yearn to have had thin spirit of friendliness and stability, expressed in the personality of our Mrs. Dean. This has been particularly true because these ten years; have been a period of transition when values and standards have been rapidly shifting, and it has required much courage and a happy outlook tov:ard the future. I like to feel that the kitchen should not be regarded merely as a place for preparing meals, but a place in which to think through calmly the puzzles of the day. If the truth were known the succocs of many men has been greatly helped or hindered by the outlook developed in the kitchen I do not want to be misunderstood. We ladies thoroughly appreciate the accomplishment of our Dean . I am merely trying to emphasize the fact that there has been a silent but effective influence radiating from the "office" of our Mrs. Dean that has been greatly appreciated, particularly by the ladies of our group. And fo in recalling the ple c asant experiences during these ten years, it is very fitting that the ladies should have this opportunity to express their appreciation to Mrs. Ketchum for helping them to perform their part in the progress that has been made . And as a token of our appreciation, we presont this bouquet of roses. REMARKS OF INTRODUCTION BY THE TOASTMASTER: Professor Willard. It is fitting that the greetings of the staffs be pre- sented to Dean Ketchum at this time and that a visible and lasting token of the expressions of appreciation and esteem be delivered to him. Professor Willard will represent the Faculty in this pleasant duty. REMARKS BY PROFESSOR A. C. WILLARD On behalf of the faculty of the College of Engineering and the Engineering Experiment Station, Professor A. C. Willard presented greetings from the staffs and expressed their appreciation of Dean Ketchum's leadership during the ten-year period. After these brief remarks Professor Willard presented an illuminated parchment on behalf of the faculty which contained the signature of each member on both the teaching and research staffs of the College and Station. The parchment contained the following note of appreciation: The Staffs of the College of Engineering and the Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Illinois upon the completion of a decade of service by MILO SMITH KETCHUM as Dean and Director unite in expressing to him their appreciation of his able guidance and leadership in the affairs of the College and Station during the ten years and in wishing him every success in the years that are to come. Given at Urbana, Illinois, this twenty-fifth day of May nineteen hundred thirty-two. REMARKS OF INTRODUCTION BY THE TOASTMASTER: Dean Ketchum. And now we all hope that Dean Ketchum will favor us with his views on this milestone a.nd his life among us for the ten years. Response by Dean Mile- S. Kctchum Dr. Talbot, President Barrett, Ladies and Gentlemen — After all that has been said tonight I would prefer to express my appreciation of this expression of your loyalty and esteem and then sit down. However, I cannot let this occasion pass without recording the obligations that I am under to certain individuals whose cooperation and support have made possible the accomplishment , of the events that have been outlined by the various speakers. I owe a great debt of gratitude to my mother who im- planted in my mind high ideals of life and behavior and whose scripture readings on Sunday afternoons gave me what knowledge I have of the bible. My father was not a college graduate but he had been a great reader and had a very intimate knowledge of natural history, of history, of politics and of religion. I worked with him in the field and learned much from these intimate contacts. My father was a man of gigantic stature and had a remarkable personality. As a boy I used to go with my father to help the neighbors with their threshing. Many of the men were foul mouthed and took delight in telling dirty stories. When my father came into a group of story-tellers the story-teller im- mediately stopped and did not finish the story. In a moment some one in the group would ask my father a question about history, religion, or politics, and he would be the center of the group. Father was one of the best story tellers that I have ever heard and he could hold the attention of any group for almost an indefinite time. My father was a Baptist minister -2- and believed in freedom of action and that every man had a right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. He had no quarrels and no enemies. To my sister I owe whatever facility I ga.ined in my youth in the use of the English language. She started me to school and took a large responsibility for the family in my early years. I am under obligation to my teachers in college of whom the one who has exerted the greatest influence is Professor Talbot. My contacts with Professor Talbot have continued for many years as a teacher, an employer, a colleague, and a friend. I have served with him on the boards of direction of societies and have profited by all of these contacts. I am under obligation to my professional friends who have given me opportunities for obtaining data and who have. given me opportunities for engineering engagements and employment. Every position of importance that I have held has come to me through my friends. The position tha,t I held during the war as Assistant Director of the U.S. Government Explosives Plants came through the recommendation of a friend who was my first employer. Mr. Jackling in conference with this man had com- pleted his organization with the exception of one position, a man to take the administrative responsibility at Nitro, one of the most difficult positions in the organization, and asked my friend to recommend some one for the position. He recommended me and I accepted the task. -3- I owe a great debt to my students. The organization at Nitro was impossible and was almost certain to break down so I prepared to be ready when it did break . I brought to Nitro a number of my former students and men whom I personally knew, and gave them jobs of coordinating the organization. Professor Dola.nd was one of my students who served on the plant . I placed the design and construction of the railroads on the plant in cha.rge of R. B. Ketchum, a graduate of Illinois in the Class of 1896, and now Dean of Engineering at the University of Utah. It was necessary to bring in three hundred cars of freight a day over a single track railroad. to unload them at the proper locations, and to ship the empty cars away. No one knew whether or not it was possible to handle these cars. Ketchum made a survey of the terminal yards and decided that it was possible to get the cars in and out of the plant. He redesigned the plant railroad system and constructed the railroad tracks in a manner that made it possible to unload bricks and other heavy materials at the proper locations without delay and to prevent congestion. Many times we were not more than several hours with railroad construction ahead of a bloca.de, but we succeeded. I am under great obligation to my colleagues here and at other institutions. While I have had a large measure of responsibility for coordinating the teaching and research work, the buildings and equipment came through the valued assistance of Professor White, the President of the University, and the Board of Trustees. And lastly I am under the greatest obligation to my -4- wife, vtfio haa encouraged me and supported rao during all the years of our married life. I have sometimes been too "busy to become veil acciuainted vith the members of the faculty. My uife has been able to interpret me to our many friends. I have a habit of frank speech which may be misunderstood if the person addressed does not knov that I am speaking for his benefit. My rife has been of the greatest help in giving our friends an appreciation of my ideals and methods of operation. In conclusion may I say that this dinner vith the ad- dresses of appreciation and the token of regard signed by all members of the staffs of the College of Engineering and the Engineering Experiment Station are greatly appreciated and give me nev courage to go forrard. From the bottom of my heart I thank you. REMARKS OF INTRODUCTION BY THE TOASTMASTER: Mrs. Ketchum. And now as a part of this occasion will Mrs. Ketchum say a word for the great pleasure of this company? Response by Mrs. M. S. Ketchum Professor Talbot — The interests of the women of the College of Engineering are not proscribed by the College, but go out to the Univer- sity community and state. Ac I look around this group I see Mrs. Schmidt who has given state ride service in the work of the League of Women Voters in the cause and cure of war. Mrs. Kratz and Mrs. Severns, have fostered the Garden Club and Mrs. Casberg has made a place for herself in dramatics. It would take much more time than we have to give to enumerate all the lines of interest of our women. But it in not of these thing3 that I wish to say my little word. Over and above this, there is something much finer and better than these things, good as they are. I wish to speak of the spirit of friendship and understanding which the women of the College of Engineering, unfailing, have for each other — the joy of the group in the success of any one of their number. The real values of life are in the things of the spirit and the kindliness and sympathy which hp.ve been shown to me have been most heartening — a source of great strength and happiness. I can think of no finer situation in life than to belong to a group like the women of the College of Engineering. REMARKS OF INTRODUCTION BY THE TOASTMASTER: President Barrett. We are honored tonight in having as our guest Mr. E. E. Barrett, the President of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Barrett is a graduate of the College of Engineering, and has always maintained a great interest in the work of the College. Will Mr. Barrett give a few words of greeting to us on this occasion? Ad j ournment . This completes our program of speeches. There will now be opportunity to give personal congratulations to Dean and Mrs. Ketchum — if, indeed, you did not have the opportunity before the dinner. It has been a happy occasion for all of us. In ending it let me say good- night to all of you. ' III 3 0112 045868962 BWMtffll f 1 SUUBIitffiffffffftttt^