| | 1 | Author: | University of Virginia
Board of Visitors | Add | | | Title: | Board of Visitors minutes  | | | | Published: | 1916 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | UVA-LIB-BoardOfVisitorsMinutes | | | | Description: | A called meeting of the Board was held on this date at 8:00
P. M., and was continued to April 19th at 10:30 A. M., with the
following members present: Rector Gordon, Visitors Hatton,
Turnbull, Craddock, Michie, Lewis, Norton and Irvine. I am turning to you again as one turns to a
strong and trusted friend whose kindness and good will have been
the source of strength and comfort to me and to the University
in the past. The gifts which you have hitherto so generously
given have been devoted, as you know, to the purpose of inaugurating
a beautiful and satisfactory grounds and road system
throughout the University, including gateways and such road
building as tend to make the Institution more beautiful and modern
in appearance. This is a unique and distinguished form of benefaction
to the University which no one else has thought of, much
less attempted. We have made, I think, economical and successful
use of your last gift of $10,000, and the roads put down
are wonderful in their detail and in their effect. They are,
however, quite expensive. The soil basis here is stiff red
clay, and nothing will conquer it for all time except the best
and most enduring form of Travia road. It is really a great
macadam tied and made solid by the use of tar. It is such a road
as you find in the finest roads in the north. This road now
extends from the western gateway almost to the Fry's Spring
road where we hope to put another gateway. It branches off towards
the gardens and the Lawn. It covers nearly all of the
East Range road. As a matter of fact, however, the work cannot
be completed by that gift. In order to make the situation what
it ought to be, and worthy of the beginning, made possible
by your beneficience, I estimate that the sum of $15,000 will
be necessary. This, of course, might extend over a number
of years. I am wondering if it would be possible for you to
make us another gift of $10,000 for 1916-'17, which would
enable us to come very near completing the scheme in mind.
As I have indicated, it need not be given in one sum, or it
might be given in any set of payments that suit your convenience,
but if we had the knowledge of it, we could go about
consummating the work we have set our hands to under your
great generosity. I think the standard of dignity would
then be insured here for all time. A new gateway somewhat in
harmony with the one at the front entrance would also then be
placed at the Southern entrance where the new Chemical Laboratory
is to go which will make the main highway of the University
handsomely cared for. I am very glad to learn that your system
of roads is progressing so well, and I would like to complete
the work as you have outlined it in your letter, in memory of
Mr. Senff. The new wing of the hospital, made possible
by your beneficence is about completed. It is the handsomest
thing in its way in the whole University and makes of the
hospital a really efficient and powerful agency in our life.
I want to put a tablet on the inner walls simply recording the
facts of its gift by you, and adding any name or memorial
tribute that you would care to have on it. Would you mind
telling me just what you would like to have it called, and
any wording of the tablet that might suggest itself to you.
I want to send you a photograph of the building as soon as the
builder's debris is removed from about it. I have your letter of March 24th, and I shall
be very glad to give you ten thousand dollars more in order
to equip the Hospital. I hope you won't think me impudent or bold, or
lacking in delicacy if I bring this matter to your attention. I cannot see the slightest bit of impropriety
in your writing me of your need of $5,000. in order
to equip the new laboratory for "immediate and effective use."
On the contrary, I am very glad you did write me and I cheerfully
subscribe the $5,000. and will send it when you let me
know it is needed. You may be sure I was deeply touched and more
so than I could give owrds to by your expressed willingness
to increase your gift for equipment to $10,000, if it were
needed. In any event, of course, this equipment money will not
be vitally needed until early next spring, when it will be necessary
to make the building ready for use. In venturing to ask
you for the additional gift for the equipment of the building,
I naturally put the sum at the minimum, because I felt you
had done so much that I had no right to suggest anything except
a mimimum request; and, too, we are so accustomed to doing things
here on the mimimum basis that I felt that was all I dare present
to you. The extra $5,000 would, however, be of immense value
to us in adding real fullness and power to our equipment, both
in certain external phases as to approach and in certain internal
machinery and equipment. We will spend nothing, of course,
for mere frills. I have not mentioned the matter to any of my
faculty, save to talk with them a little about their needs.
They do not yet know of your gift of $5,000. I find that they
feel that in Industrial Chemistry more money for equipment is
needed than could possibly be covered by the sum of $5,000, which
could only cover the needs of General Chemistry. I am happy at receiving your letter of the
10th inst., and am well pleased that you return home feeling
rested. My heart was deeply touched by your swift
and generous accession to the suggestion born of your own purpose
but coming from me in the second instance. There was long
and grateful applause and deep appreciation of your action.
The Board has not yet met to make formal acceptance of the
gifts. They meet on the 18th of April. I know you know without
words from me how deeply it all strengthens my mind and purpose. About a year ago, I wrote regarding
the establishment of a Scholarship in the University,
by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the
scholarship being a tribute of our loyalty and gratitude to our
President, Mrs. William Ruffin Cox of Richmond, Virginia. I shall take great pleasure in reporting
to the Rector and Visitors, at their spring meeting, on April
18, the very generous action of the National Society of The
Colonial Dames of America offering to establish at this University,
as a tribute of their loyalty and gratitude to their former
President, Mrs. William Ruffin Cox, of Richmond, Va., a scholarship
in American History. I am quite sure that the Rector and
Visitors will agree with me that this is a beautiful action
on the part of the Society, and will accept this thoughtful
gift with gratitude and appreciation. I take note of your
statement that the work should be not only in American History
but cover American Colonial History, and that wherever possible
it should be given to a student from one of the schools maintained
for the education of the youth of the mountain regions of the
Southern States. I have a magnificent portrait of J. L. M.
Curry, painted in Madrid by the Elder Madrazzo, when he was
President of the Royal Academy. It is a work of art and appropriately
and exquisitely framed in carved apple-wood. I find
it too large for my house. It would give me pleasure to present
it to the University of Virginia, thinking it might be hung in the
hall used for the Curry School of Pedagogy. I remain, Your letter received today, informing me
of your purpose to present to the University a portrait of Dr.
Curry gives me great delight and satisfaction. I have wanted
a portrait of him ever since the completion of our splendid
building which houses the Curry School of Education. There is
a perfect place for its hanging, and the whole matter gives me
very great pleasure. The Curry School of Education is growing
in power and influence, and is just at the threshold of its
usefulness. I venture to predict that it will be in the end
one of the most permanent memorials to Dr. Curry's fame that
could have been conceived of. It will be an inspiration to
the young men to have knowledge of his face and form. At the request of Mr. J. M. Carlisle,
Surviving Trustee of the late Mary W. Curry, I am shipping
to you tomorrow, March 8th, by Adams Express, charges prepaid,
and addressed as above, one box containing the portrait of the
late Dr. J. L. M. Curry, painted by Mrazo. The portrait is
insured for the sum of $5,000, and a valuation of $400 is placed
upon the box with the express company, according with Mr. Carlisle's
request. In reply to Miss Worrell's letter of Nov.
26th, will say that the work on the monument to Dr. Green,
is well done. The family is very grateful to you for this
gift to his memory. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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