Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Gregory Hall [PAGE 4]

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as it satisfies human aspirations and wins human affections. Fortunately it has great wealth of this kind, much more than that represented if they could be compared in financial exhibits. It is probably true that the University of Illinois leads significantly in this respect among others of its kind. There is rich abundance of good will, loyal devotion, stimulating pride, affectionate regard. There is little however to give tangible or visible evidence of this its best asset, little to give expression to the existing wealth of esteem and love, little to demonstrate that the wise counsels and devoted, often heroic labors of founders and builders are recognized or appreciated. Kind words, glowing eulogies, are very good so far as they go, but when at their best they leave entirely untouched another form of expression embodied in material monuments. This is widely understood and people everywhere obey their best impulses and noblest instincts in erecting statues and building permanent memorial structures associated with great movements and dedicated to great men. That there is not more of it, usually comes from the want of collective endeavor. It is hard to get minds united, preferences pooled, sentiments centralized. This has been true with us. The story in a few words may be given as follows,—

HISTORY OF MOVEMENT

There was wide appreciation of the work and influence of Doctor Gregory in the earlier years; but, especially from the time the grave was made upon the campus, the thought was often expressed that some suitable testimonial should be erected to the man whose remains rest therein. This feeling all along was a general one, concurred in by officials, advocated hy alumni, urged by friends, shared by students as year by year they came and went, and favored by interested people at home and abroad. The sentiment grew with the passing years, especially among alumni, until at length a conference, previously arranged for, was called on Alumni day 1912, resulting in a canvass to ascertain further what members of the Alumni Association thought should and could be done by themselves. In the mean time Mr. Homer A. St ill well of Chicago, ex-'82, who upon a visit had sought out the grave and was touched by the small prominence given to it, offered to contribute a goodly named sum towards a suitable memorial. This stimulated action and the committee reported to the Executive Committee of the Association, in June 1913, that the feeling was very prevalent and almost unanimous that something should be done by the alumni. The amount of money suggested was most commonly put from $25,000 to $50,000. The Executive Committee referred the report to the Alumni Council and by this body it was referred to the new Executive Committee with the recommendation that a special Gregory memorial committee be appointed, with Mr. S. A. Bullarcl as chairman, to take the matter in charge. This new Executive Committee again favored action, approved the recommendation of the Council and instructed the President.of the Association to appoint the proposed memorial committee and also to call into conference the President of the University, that of the Board

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