University of Virginia Library

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNIVERSITY

One year ago the alumni of this University conceived the plan of presenting
to their Alma Mater, on her One Hundredth Birthday, a gift expressive
of their faith and gratitude. On March 7th, after wise organization,
the movement was launched to realize this purpose. I need not
remind this company that this has been a period of unusual depression
in the world of business. I hold in my hand a statement authorized
by John Stewart Bryan and Frederic William Scott, Joint Chairmen of
the Centennial Endowment Fund, and prepared by Armistead Mason
Dobie, Executive Director of the Fund, formally presenting this gift to
the University of Virginia, and informing me that its total amounts, to
date, to $1,300,000.

In behalf of the Governing Bodies and the Faculties of the University,
I accept this handsome gift of her loyal sons, of two great foundations—the
Carnegie Corporation and the General Education Board—and of wise
patriotic citizens of this State and nation who were not trained here, but
who believe it to be for the public good that Jefferson's University should be
properly equipped to face the demands of the new century. The gratitude

Old Alumni in Procession (Class of '61)

and appreciation of this University goes out in full measure to every subscriber
to this fund.

I have mentioned Messrs. John Stewart Bryan and Frederic William
Scott, the Chairmen of the Fund, who have given of their best strength and
substance to this movement. I take leave to mention again with gratitude
the name of the Executive Director, Armistead Mason Dobie, who has given
to this work for one year his ability, energy, and devotion, without stint.
I cannot pass by the names of Lewis Crenshaw who has devoted his strength
to Alumni service and Charles A. McKeand, who has served so ably as
Executive Secretary. I wish time was afforded me to call the roll of the
faithful regional chairmen and indeed the whole list of subscribers—alumni
and non-alumni. Suffice it to say that their names will find place in our
history and in our hearts, and we shall not forget them. Such manifestations
of public spirit are rare in the lives of state universities. It is the
State's business to maintain and develop its own University. If it seemed
proper after a century of service that the privilege of giving to this faithful
agent of society should be afforded to good citizens and loyal sons everywhere,
it was not intended to relieve the Commonwealth of Virginia of the
primary duty and responsibility of maintaining adequately an institution
which it brought into life and which exists to serve its people. In recent
years, the State has greatly increased its appropriations to higher education
and under circumstances of great difficulty. May this example of general
public appreciation incite Virginia to still more adequate treatment of its
chiefest public servant!

It is my pleasure to announce further, as an independent gift to the
University of Virginia, the sum of $200,000, for the distinct purpose of establishing,
on the basis now existing, a Department of Commerce and Finance
in this University. This contribution is the gift of a great citizen and
far-seeing student of social affairs in his own State and the nation—Paul
Goodloe McIntire.

Mr. McIntire has already enrolled himself among the great benefactors
of the University—indeed the very greatest in its history—and of this community
in so distinguished a way as to make it difficult to add new appreciation
to his services. In the School of Fine Arts, bearing his name, he has
sought to care for the spiritual and cultural aspects of life. In this new
department, he seeks to care in a high way for training in the great
field which develops trade and commerce and material prosperity.
The South has furnished more than its share of great soldiers, statesmen
and lawyers. It is his belief that we must now prepare to train
great business men for the important services of trade and commerce.
The University repeats its former expressions of gratitude to this wise
helper of men.