Repository: UIHistories Project: UI Library School Alumni Newsletter - 15 [PAGE 3]

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representative. Miss Fehrenkam President of the Association was unable to be present, so the First Vice President, Mr. Ayers, presided. A report on the Endowment Fund was given by Mr. Cleavingcrj who spo>ke of the fact that it had been over five vears sinrp ™* UoJ started a drive to obtain two hundred life members so that we might establish at least one scholarship for the school. Only one hundred and eighty-four people had taken these memberships out of an alumni body of over twelve hundred. The original goal was set at five thousand dollars, but conditions had changed of late and safe investments brought lower rates of interest. It now seemed very desirable to increase the capital sum if possible, so that the amount offered for the scholarship would be at least three hundred dollars. He urged the alumni to join as life members as rapidly as possible so that the granting of the first award would not be deferred too long. Miss Boyd then told of the very successful appeal of the committee appointed to solicit a gift for Miss Simpson on her retirement. There was only one letter sent out and the response was so spontaneous and generous that the committee was able to present her with a check for eleven hundred and eighty dollars, to use on her trip around the world. The alumni in Champaign and Urbana arranged a dinner for her about commencement time, to which the alumni in the state were invited. Quite a number of them came and this occasion was chosen for the presentation of the alumni gift so that she could use it in making plans for her trip. The present was a complete surprise to her and she was quite overcome on receiving it. Miss Boyd then read the following letter from Miss Simpson:

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Since it is manifestly quite impossible for me to send personal letters to several hundred Illinois Library School alumni, I am forced to use this method of conveying to my friends and fellow alumni a message of sincere appreciation and profound gratitude for the many expressions of affectionate interest which I have received during the past few weeks. In particular may I take this opportunity of acknowledging most gratefully and most humbly the generous words of recognition as well as the concrete expression in the form of a very liberal check, which, it was suggested, I might find useful in carrying out my cherished plans for this coming twelve months. This letter is harder to write than I had anticipated. Words fail me! Surely no school ever had a more generous and loyal body of students. I wish I could believe that I have merited half of what my friends have said about me. My own feeling is that my work itself has been such a joy that it could easily have been its own reward. I bespeak the continued loyal interest of the alumni and former students in the success of our school; if the one who follows me has half as good a tinn .s I have enjoyed, she is to be envied, for the work itself has been most interesting and delightful. IltiUl. As I go on my various pilgrimages this coming year, there will be numerous occasions when I shall say to myself, "I could not have done this if it had not l snail mys been for those generous, loyal people." Will you please thank them all for me most sincerely. Faithfully yours,

FRANCF SI MI >N.

The report of the Secretary-Treasurer was read and accepted. Th< alumni were urged to join the Association, either as life members or as annual members. It was exolained that thr funds from the dollar Ml