Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1914 [PAGE 668]

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666

UNIVEESITY OF ILLINOIS.

[December 13,

OFFER FOR T H E BROOKS PROPERTY W I T H D R A W N .

On motion of Mr. Trevett, it was voted that the authority for the purchase of the Brooks' site be withdrawn.

MATTERS PRESENTED BY T H E PRESIDENT OF T H E UNIVERSITY.

President James presented the following matters for consideration:

T H E G E R M A N AMBASSADOR TO BE T H E C O M M E N C E M E N T S P E A K E R . ,

(1) An announcement that the German Ambassador at Washington, Count Johann Heinrich von Bernstorff, has accepted an invitation to; give the address at the Forty-third Annual Commencement to be held on Wednesday, June 17, 1914,

PLANS FOR A GREGORY REUNION.

(2) A statement in regard to the plans for a reunion of alumni and former students who attended the University during the administration of Dr. John Milton Gregory, the first Regent: I am making earnest efforts to have all former students of the . University who were registered in the institution during the regency of Dr. Gregory in attendance at the exercises of the Commencement Week in 1914; at which time it is proposed to hold special services in connection with the marking of the grave of Dr. Gregory located on the campus. In accordance with an action already taken by the board (on October 8, 1912, page 132), the supervising architect has been asked to submit a t the earliest possible date a recommendation with reference to a simple and appropriate method of marking the grave. The alumni have appointed a committee to collect funds for the purpose of erecting a worthy memorial to Dr. Gregory in the form of a University building. This committee consists of Hon. S. A. Bullard, Chairman, Mr. Peter Junkersfeld, and Mr. C. O. Fischer. The policy of trying to get the alumni to come in larger numbers to the exercises of Commencement Week was instituted some time ago, and has met with a measurable degree of success. Two years ago the men and women who matriculated during the first four years of Dr. Gregory's administration were especially invited to return, and over one hundred of the students of the years between 186.8 and 1872 put in an appearance—a very considerable percentage of the number alive at that time. Last year a special invitation was extended to the men and women who had matriculated during the next four years of Dr. Gregory's administration, 1873-76. This meeting was also a decided success. For the coming year the invitation has been extended to all who were in attendance during the entire period of Dr. .Gregory's regency. An invitation to send representatives has been extended to the several institutions with which Dr. Gregory was associated—to Union College, from which he was graduated; to the University of Michigan, which granted him an honorary degree; and to Kalamazoo College, of which he was president; also to the Department of Education of the state of Michigan, of which he was at one time the head. President Hutchins of the University of Michigan has kindly consented to be present and to deliver a brief address. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction of Michigan has also promised to attend the exercises. I have little doubt that the other institutions will be represented by delegates if not by their presidents.

D E D I C A T I O N OF T H E N E W ARMORY.

(3) A proposal that the new Armory be dedicated on Decoration Day, May 30, 1914, with the following statement in regard to plans for this event: If the board approves, a special invitation will be. extended to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Interior, and the head of the general staff, to attend these exercises and participate in them. An * invitation will also be sent to members of Congress and other officials of the Federal Government, and to members of the General Assembly and other officials of the State government. The University of Illinois is a federal as well as a State institution, and no opportunity should be lost to •emphasize this relation. In the case of the Armory, which is erected pursuant t o ' t h e requirements of the federal law, it is especially appropriate that we should secure the cooperation of federal officers. I am told by the supervising architect that, while the Armory will not be completed by Decoration Day, it will, in all probability, be far enough along to be used regularly loy the regiment and to give ari adequate idea of its great usefulness to the University. , _ • _ . - - .

On motion of Governor Bunne, it was voted that the president be authorized to arrange for the dedication. of the Armory on May 30, 1914, provided the Grand Army Posts of Urbana and Champaign .consent to the holding of these exercises on that date. /.: r *• „