Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1878 [PAGE 105]

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105 Philadelphia created so great a sensation in the east, have at Paris an exhibition still more magnificent and complete. T h e technical schools, also, of Belgium, Austria and Switzerland were well represented, b u t the French exhibit surpassed all others in the volume and variety of the practical work of the students of the several grades and classes of technical schools. W e may rest assured that we are none too soon in the field in this great department of education, and that what we have already accomplished should be counted b u t as the beginning of the vast work which lies before us. I am too recently returned, having reached home on Saturday evening, to be prepared to state to you more than an outline of the work performed here during the summer. Much of it shows for itself in the beautiful, renovated look of the college building, the good order of the college grounds, and the nearly completed work in the laboratory building. I shall expect to lay before you, from the several departments, reports from the professors in charge of such things as may require your attention.

CHAIR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.

I t is with profound regret that I announce to you the resignation, since your last meeting, of Prof. S. W . Robinson, who has so long and ably filled the important chair of mechanical engineering. I t is due to those who; have served faithfully and efficiently, that some recognition be made of the value of the services rendered, and of our appreciation of their good qualities, as well as of their fidelity and success. Prof. Robinson, though still a young man, has already made a reputation in his department on both sides of the Atlantic, and stands to-day among the recognized authorities in mechanical science. The untiring zeal and energy with which he has worked for the developement of the school of mechanical engineering, are too well known to need new testimony. T h e position that this school occupies in our University is due chiefly to his eminent ability and enthusiasm. I t mitigates, if possible, my regret at his loss to know that he will be organizing, elsewhere, another centre of education so important to our country. Immediately on the receipt of the tidings of Prof. Robinson's resignation, I opened a correspondence in several directions, to secure a competent candidate for the vacant chair. Prof. Shattuck also corresponded with; several leading institutions for the same purpose. As a result a large number of candidates have been nominated to us, and in many cases 'strongly recommended. After as careful a consideration as the limited time would allow, I have concluded to nominate, as in my judgment the best man for the place, Prof. S. H. Peabody, now of the Chicago high school, but formerly professor of engineering in the Massachusetts agricultural college. Prof. Peabody's reputation was formerly well known to the members of our board of trustees when the professorship now in question was tendered to him. His standing as a scholar, his reputation as a teacher, and his eminent ability in the direction required, will go far to maintain without diminution t h e reputation of the school at the high point already obtained. Among the candidates for this chair, the case of Prof. H . Herr is worthy of special notice, not alone from the high testimonials which he presents, but also from his peculiar qualifications for the chair of