 | The University of Virginia record April 1, 1935 |  |
Officers of Administration
JOHN LLOYD NEWCOMB, B.A., C.E., Sc.D., LL.D.
President of the University
WILSON GEE, M.A., Ph.D.
Director of the Institute
| JOHN LLOYD NEWCOMB, B.A., C.E., Sc.D., LL.D. | President of the University |
| ARMISTEAD MASON DOBIE, M.A., LL.B., S.J.D. | Professor of Law |
| WILSON GEE, M.A., Ph.D. | Professor of Rural Economics and Rural Sociology |
| TIPTON RAY SNAVELY, M.A., Ph.D. | Professor of Economics |
| ABRAHAM BERGLUND, B.A., Ph.D. | Professor of Commerce and Business Administration |
| FLOYD NELSON HOUSE, M.A., Ph.D. | Professor of Sociology |
| FRANK ARTHUR GELDARD, M.A., Ph.D. | Associate Professor of Psychology |
| GEORGE WASHINGTON SPICER, M.A., Ph.D. | Associate Professor of Political Science |
| THOMAS PERKINS ABERNETHY, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of History |
| LESTER JESSE CAPPON, M.A., Ph.D. | Research Associate in History |
| JOHN JAY CORSON, III., M.A., Ph.D. | Research Associate in Economics |
| ALLAN GARFIELD deGRUCHY, M.A., Ph.D. | Research Associate in Commerce |
| ROWLAND ANDREWS EGGER, M.A., Ph.D. | Head, Bureau of Public Administration |
| WALTER EGLE, Ph.D. | Research Associate in Economics |
| EMORY QUINTER HAWK, M.A., Ph.D. | Research Associate in Economics |
| DOROTHY HAVENS WHEELER, M.A., Ph.D. | Research Assistant in Sociology |
Establishment.—The announcement was made by President Alderman to
the Rector and the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia during the
commencement exercises in June, 1926, that the Laura Spelman Rockefeller
Memorial had made a grant of $137,500 to the University for research in the
field of the social sciences; economics, government, sociology, history, psychology,
jurisprudence and related subjects. The grant extended over a five-year
period, $27,500 becoming available each of the years from July 1, 1926, through
June 30, 1931. At the close of the first five-year period the grant was renewed by
support pledged by the University from its budget. This was met in a sufficiently
adequate manner, in spite of the unusual stress caused by the economic depression,
so that in the fall of 1934 the Rockefeller Foundation made a third grant
for a five-year period (1935-1940) which has enabled the Institute to become
definitely assured of its permanence as a part of the life of the University.
The work under the provisions of the grant has been organized as an Institute
for Research in the Social Sciences. The President of the University, the
members of the University faculty of professional rank in the schools of History,
Economics, Government, Jurisprudence, Philosophy, Psychology, Rural Social
Economics, and Sociology, and the employed personnel constitute the membership
of the Institute.
As outlined in the resolutions which were adopted by the Institute, "the duty
of this Institute shall be to promote research effort, both individual and group, in
the Social Sciences at the University of Virginia—at the outset primarily in the
field of Virginia problems. It shall further be the function of the Institute to
consider any matter that concerns the development of the Social Sciences in the
University of Virginia, making recommendations thereon to the President of the
University."
Social Science Building.—The Institute is housed in one of the original
Jefferson buildings of the University formerly known as the Old Medical Building.
The interior of the structure has been repaired and put in condition for the
activities of the Institute. Provision is made for office space and equipment for
the research workers, and also a general office has been set up where supplies and
secretarial assistance are provided.
Scope of Research Effort.—The grant to the University of Virginia has
been utilized primarily for research into a number of vital economic and social
problems in the life of the State. It has chosen this field for two reasons. First,
because Virginia is in a changing period in its history, and needs full light on its
problems to direct as wisely as possible the current of transition. And secondly,
the University of Virginia realizes that it is a State University and desires to
relate itself more and more intimately with the people and the life of the State
in general, feeling that such a relationship will be mutually beneficial. However,
the work of the Institute has not been limited to the field of Virginia problems
but provision has been made in a number of cases for scholarly research in the
broader phases of social science research without respect to geographical boundaries.
The research in the Institute is carried on as the professor's own research
project assisted by well-trained research workers. The plan has been to limit the
number of problems to be studied, and to do these thoroughly, and in a way that
will make the investigations of an immediate or ultimate usefulness in the life of
the State, as well as constituting contributions to the broader field of social
science research. A definite portion of the grant is allotted for the publication of
the studies when completed.
A list of research projects undertaken by the Institute for Research in the
Social Sciences at the University of Virginia: 1926-1934 is as follows:
| The University of Virginia record April 1, 1935 | |