 | Board of Visitors minutes November 29, 1921 |  |
2 - PROGRESS OF THE FUND
a - Thanksgiving Meeting at the University
On Thanksgiving Day, the Executive officers, the Regional
Chairmen, and a few representative Local Chairmen gathered at
the University on the occasion of the Virginia-Carolina Foot Ball
Game. A pilgrimage was made around the University, and the
President of the University, and the Deans of the various departments
made brief statements on the ground of the imminent
needs of the University.
b - Date of Beginning Solicitation of Subscriptions.
The original plan contemplated the beginning of solicitation
of subscriptions on January 3rd. The economic condition
of the United States, however, in the judgment of the Executive
officers, necessitated the postponement until March 7th, at
which time the active solicitation of subscriptions began.
c - Christmas Alumni Meetings
December 28th was designated, by Dr. Hugh Young,
President of the Alumni Association, as University of Virginia
Night, and meetings on this date, were held all over the United
States. Wherever it was practical, these meetings were addressed
by representatives of the Fund, and by members of the
Faculty of the University of Virginia. Wide spread local
publicity was, of course, given to each meeting, and student
representatives brought to each meeting, greetings from the
President of the University.
d - Slow Start
In spite of the postponement, which gave Local and
Regional Chairmen two additional months for preparation,
the movement was slow in getting under way, and great difficulty
was experienced in getting Local and Regional Chairmen to do
much active solicitation, during the early periods of the
movement. The start was, accordingly, far from hopeful.
e - Traveling
While trips were made to various places by President
Alderman, the Faculty, of the University of Virginia, and
by John Stewart Bryan, a systematic effort was made by
Messrs. Dobie and McKeand to visit personally every Regional
Chairman east of the Rockies, and every important city from
Texas to Massachusetts. Messrs. Dobie and McKeand actually
visited forty-seven cities, from Boston to San Antonio, and
from Chicago to Jacksonville, Florida. In may of these places,
addresses were made before Alumni gatherings, and every effort
was made to stimulate Alumni energy and enthusiasm.
f - Student Subscriptions
It was decided to make a whirlwind campaign of the Student
Body, for the purpose of raising funds for the erection of a
new Gymnasium. This Student Campaign was staged in mid-winter,
to avoid any conflict with the examination period. The movement
proved a splended success, over $140,000. being raised, and
it is believed that this was the finest bit of idealism in the
entire movement. Too much credit cannot be given to the Student
Body for their splended service and sacrifice.
g - Executive Director in New York City.
On the eve of the commencement of solicitation, conditions
were such in New York City, that it was decided to send the
the end of February, until the early part of April the
Executive Director remained in New York City, organizing the
movement there, and actively engaging in the solicitation
of subscriptions. For nearly a month, President Alderman also
stayed in New York City, giving himself unreservedly to the
work of the Endowment Fund. It is believed that this was a
wise movement, and the results seemed to justify the rather
unusual procedure of having the Executive Director absent from
headquarters for so long a time.
h - Literature
The Alumni News, for eight months, was especially
edited in the cause of the Endowment Fund, and was sent,
at the expense of the Fund, to every living alumnus. A
major pamphlet was prepared with attractive illustrations
and charts, and these too were sent to every alumnus. Copies
were sent to prospective donors, and a supply furnished each
Local and Regional Chairman. Departmental Pamphlets, dealing
with the needs of each department of the University of Virginia,
were sent to each alumnus, and each Chairman, and a
carefully prepared pamphlet, showing the distinguished service
of the University alumni to the State and Nation was also
sent to each alumnus, and prospective donors.
In addition, a standard plan of organization was prepared,
and a Canvasser's Hand Book. These were sent to all workers,
and to Chairmen, in quantities. Periodic bulletins, five in
number, were also sent to all Chairmen.
i - Publicity
An elaborate publicity department was organized, at the
University, under the direction of Mr. Chas. S. Trimmer, who
always had the loyal co-operation of Mr. Grenshaw and Mr.
Matthews. From October 1st, 1920 to June 8th 1921, over 5000
clippings about the University of Virginia, representing more
than 1,500 columns of newspaper space, appeared in National
publications. While this work was done in the immediate needs
of the Centennial Endowment Fund, it is believed that untold
good was accomplished for the future of the University of
Virginia. For the first time in its history, an experienced
publicity man gave his whole time to this work. The publicity
office rendered yeomen's service, too, in preparing the various
pamphlets, which were sent out to alumni.
j - Moving Picture and Posters
Mr. Lewis D. Crenshaw directed the making of a four-reel
moving picture entitled "The Shadow of the Founder", dealing
with the life history of the University of Virginia, and its
present day activities. The technical work on this picture
of New York City. This film was shown in all the large towns
in Virginia, in New York City, and other strategic points in
the East. The cordial reception given to it everywhere proved
its genuine worth. It is to be regretted that this picture
was not completed until May.
Mr. Duncan Smith, a loyal alumnus of New York, painted
two attractive posters, one for the Endowment Fund, and one
for the Celebration. These were given wide circulation over
the country, and were posted in railroad stations of the principal
railroads, operating through Virginia.
k - Money Raised
President Alderman, at the Centennial Celebration, announced
that the round sum of $1,300,000. had been raised as a result
of the Campaign. He also announced the $200,000 gift of Mr.
Paul G. McIntire, to endow a school of Commerce and Finance.
Through this was not technically a gift to the Fund, it practically
made an even Million and a Half Dollars.
The progress of the Fund is indicated by the following
figures at various stages of the work:
| April 12th | $ 694,804.54 |
| May 9th | 808,208,90 |
| May 30th | 1,074,990.82 |
A quota was assigned to each Regional District, but no
quota was assigned to the Army or Navy, or to the Student Body.
The only districts that raised their quotas were the Charlottesville
District, under the able direction of Mr. Allen Perkins,
and the District, comprising the States of New Mexico, Nevade,
Utah and Arizona, under Mr. Herndon Norris of Prescott,
Arizona. The largest actual sum, of course, was raised in
New York. The Richmond District and the Norfolk District were
practically tiedfor the second place, at the time of the
Centennial.
The most discouraging results were naturally reached
in the far Southern States, due to the acute economic crisis
prevailing in that section.
| On July 9, 1921, actual subscriptions amounted to | $1,272.725.25 |
| Subscriptions reported but not sent in | 31,605.00 |
| Total | 1,304.330.25 |
This total of actual subscriptions amount to 1,272,725.25
was contributed as follows:
| Carnegie Foundation | $ 100,000 |
| General Education Board | 100,000 |
| 2203 Alumni Subscriptions | 525,730.84 |
| 798 Non-alumni Subscriptions | 402,614.14 |
| 1489 Student Subscriptions | 144,380.27 |
| $ 1,272,725.25 | |
| Average Alumnus subscription | $238.64 |
| Average Non-Alumnus subscription | 504.53 |
| Average Student subscription | 96.96 |
l - Cash and Securities in Banks
At the time of this report, July 9th., 1921, cash and
securities, as follows, were held by the designated banks.
| 1. | National State and City Bank (Cash Balance) | $ 16,630.50 | ||
| 2. | Virginia Trust Co. | |||
| Cash balance | $80,349.09 | |||
| Securities | 41,450.00 | |||
| $ 121,799.09 | $121,799.09 | |||
| Charlottesville | ||||
| 1. | Peoples National Bank | |||
| Charlottesville Subscriptions | ||||
| Cash | $ 11,602.28 | |||
| Liberty Bonds | 3,485.00 | |||
| Student Subscriptions | ||||
| Cash | 3,597.00 | |||
| Liberty Bonds | 800.00 | |||
| 19,484.28 | 19,484.28 | |||
| 2. | National Bank of Charlottesville | 2,501.00 | ||
| 3. | Farmers and Merchants Bank | 715.00 | ||
| 4. | Commerce National Bank | 1,590.00 | ||
| TOTAL | $ 162,719.87 | |||
The Cash balances in the Richmond Banks draw 3% interest
The balances in the Charlottesville Banks draw no interest.
These balances in the Charbttesville banks include only
the amounts deposited by W. A. Perkins, Regional Chairman. These
balances do not include any amounts collected by these banks
on the subscription blanks turned over to the banks by A. M.
Dobie, Executive Director.
| Board of Visitors minutes November 29, 1921 | |