The Waiting Opportunity

Dartmouth College is probably at this moment in the best position in her long history to utilize whatever benefactions may come her way. It is a period when expansion is not only possible, but imperative; and best of all it is a time in which the cooperation of a wise and farseeing board of trustees with a no less wise and far-seeing executive makes that expansion the more certain of being adequately directed.

One may do well to consider the fact that the makers of large gifts to the cause of education can easily magnify the value of their generosity by timing it, rather than by leaving it to chance. The gifts which come when the conditions are best for using them to' the fullest effect count for more than those which may fall in a less fortunate period—although one knows they are always welcome. The best result of all is to be achieved when the donee is in position to make the most of what is received, and in the wisest way.

A survey of the histories of the various American colleges and universities will probably convince any one that the really outstanding figures in college administration are rather few—just as in every other line of human activity—and further will reveal that the active years of the best men who have ever served in this field are prone to be sadly limited. The fortunate college is that which has not only a president of unusual ability and force, but also one sufficiently young to promise in the regular course of nature a maximum period of continued usefulness. It will be remembered' that Dr. Tucker, who laid the foundations of the Dartmouth that we are all so proud of, was in active service but sixteen years, coming to his great work at an age inconsistent with a very protracted term; but Dartmouth's great good fortune has been to find his work carried forward to results beyond his dream by a successor who ought, with reasonable fate, to be spared to us for many years to come. That is why we say the College is in a peculiarly advantageous position to merit the attention of those who desire to assist in the upbuilding of such works as the colleges of the country are doing.

The College is doing nobly, we feelbut with greater resources it could do vastly more. It would be a pity not to get the utmost of efficiency out of so splendid a mechanism, so ably officered and manned. Those now in control of the policies of the College could do more yet—infinitely more—if the resources were there. There is capacity to spare, and the only thing needful is the material backing to give that capacity more of the wherewithal with which to work. Out of what there is, we are getting an astonishing return in progress ; but it isn't a third of what we could easily get, given the financial foundations on which to build.