Dartmouth's Opportunity

Great periods in the history of institutions, as in the history of men, are attributable to the rare concurrence of the wisdom to perceive and the power to grasp great opportunity. Such conjunctions of chance, vision and energy seldom arise. Too often opportunity is unrecognized. Too often again, though recognized, it comes at a time of impotence. The weakness of old age, the opposition of associates, insufficiency of means, all may join to produce failure or inadequacy, where triumph might have been.

Infrequently our American colleges have enjoyed the simultaneous possession of adequate strength and large opportunity: the opportunity and the ability to accomplish a strikingly important work. The need for vigorous administrative thinking, and for the inspiration of really great teaching has again and again been acute in the nation's history, during times of political and intellectual transition. And seldom could the colleges offer either.

What is true of other colleges is true of Dartmouth. There are few brilliant spots in its institutional history. There was Wheelock's brave venture into the wilderness. Then for decade after decade the record shows little more than the dull performance of a plodding routine.

So passed more than a hundred academic years until with the advent of William Jewett Tucker as President of the College opportunity and ability once more met.

In. the tragically brief years of this man's, strength, with pitifully inadequate funds, with an organization competent chiefly because of his leadership, Dartmouth College suddenly swept from its educational backwater into the very van of America's institutions of higher learning.

National life and national thought were changing. President Tucker perceived the trend of affairs, out-thought human events and set about developing a college that should mold men for the responsibilities of the new future of America. And then he passed.

The foundations were firmly laid and Dartmouth was waiting. The world was starving for moral and intellectual leadership trained to sound thought and brave action. Faith in the College remained while the substance of things hoped for lighted the future.

And now today, as if in answer to the pressing needs of a perplexing and perilous era in the affairs of mankind the College is faced with opportunity and the materials of power.

Never in all history has the younger generation been less willing to follow blindly ordained authority, or at the same time more eager to achieve mental and spiritual progress. And Dartmouth College meets this tremendous opportunity under conditions of exceptional promise.

Its President is at the zenith of his capabilities. He is vigorous enough to insure unity of effort within the organization. He is wise and sympathetic enough to win fullest support from faculty, alumni and students alike. His is the prophetic vision that sees the long future in the fleeting present; his the courage to build for the morrow regardless of the timidities of today.

And so for yet a brilliant little while we have the privilege of helping in a work that may be made great beyond our dreams. The brave work of trying new things, or of doing old things in new or better ways—practical things that take on spiritual values because they are concerned with how men shall live together with the whole structure of human society, of civilization now and in an era to come. Never before has the need been so potent. Never before the opportunity so alluring.

Clearly now before us lies the time. This is our chance, working together to achieve another glorious period in the history of Dartmouth College, doubly glorious because more than ever before is its destiny entwined with the destiny of the Nation and hence with the ever concentrating forces which shall control the destiny of all mankind.