 | The University of Virginia record April 15, 1936 |  |
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 |
| JOHN JAY CORSON, III, M.A., Ph.D. | Research Associate in Economics |
| ALLAN GARFIELD deGRUCHY, M.A., Ph.D. | Research Associate in Commerce |
| WALTER EGLE, Ph.D. | Research Associate in Economics |
| EMORY QUINTER HAWK, M.A., Ph.D. | Research Associate in Economics |
| RAYMOND UHL, M.A. | Acting Head, Bureau of Public Administration |
| FREDERICK PALMER WEBER, B.A. | Research Assistant 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
period the grant was renewed by the Rockefeller Foundation for another
five years, contingent upon an increasing 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: 1926-1935 is as follows:
| The University of Virginia record April 15, 1936 | |