The Wheelock Succession

PRESIDENT SMITH came to the College from the pastorate of a leading church in New York City. He was a fluent speaker, of sympathetic and kindly personality, ever ready with advice and assistance. His leading quality was tact, thought by some to be over done, but in reality the outpouring of his kindly nature. Nor was he lacking in firmness, when firmness was definitely required. While his administration was not free from contention, little of that contention had its source in him.

From his previous connections in touch with large financial interests, President Smith was able considerably to increase the endowment of the College and thereby materially to raise the scale of faculty salaries.

He envisaged university status for the institution and added to the subordinate branches, already in existence, the Thayer School and the Agricultural College, although the latter was merely an associated institution, under the control of its own Trustees. Bissell Gymnasium and Culver Hall were added to the list of College buildings. The President gave himself tirelessly to the institution and wore himself out in its service. He resigned in 1877 and died shortly after. No more devoted head of the College has Dartmouth had than President Smith. L. B. R. '00.

ASA DODGE SMITH Dartmouth, 1830; President, 1863-77