Ohio History Journal

DR. WILLIAM OXLEY THOMPSON HONORED Dr. William Oxley Thompson was the recipient of distinguished honors at the Scioto Country Club in Co- lumbus Friday evening, June 6, 1924. The occasion was a silver jubilee dinner in celebration of the comple- tion of his twenty-five years of service as president of the Ohio State University. Guests to the number of 420,

including trustees, fac- ulty, alumni, fellow col- lege presidents and prom- inent citizens of the state and city, were present and a spokesman from each group expressed ap- preciation "of the service and ideals of the man and the president." Judge Benjamin F. McCann of Dayton spoke for the Board of Trus- tees. He eulogized Presi- dent Thompson as "a man with a vision, a program, ability to carry out that program and with a heart

as big as his head." Dean David S. White, who has been a teacher in the University through all the years of Dr. Thompson's service, paid tribute in behalf of the faculty. "Prexy (313)

• 1
 

314      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

gives everyone, from the janitor to the trustees," said

Dean White, "a square deal. He's a great man and for

this we as a faculty are thankful. In history he will

bear the same relation to the University that Lincoln

bears to the Nation."

Dr. Glenn Atkins, pastor of the First Congrega-

tional Church of Detroit, spoke for the alumni. Gov-

ernor James E. Campbell spoke feelingly of Dr. Thomp-

son as a citizen. He said:

He is a citizen of the highest type, patriot, scholar and

gentleman. He is not a mere college president. He is an in-

stitution. If I were to name the one man in Ohio who is its

greatest asset, I should name Dr. Thompson.

Henry Churchill King, President of Oberlin Col-

lege, spoke in behalf of the other institutions of higher

learning in the state and praised Dr. Thompson for the

spirit of co-operation that he had fostered among these

institutions through his service as president of the Uni-

versity.

Benjamin W. Jenkins, a law student of the Univer-

sity, spoke for the undergraduates. He expressed the

high appreciation of the student body for the never fail-

ing kindly interest that Dr. Thompson manifests in

their behalf.

Dr. Frank P. Graves, President of the University

of the State of New York and former professor of the

history of education and dean of the summer session at

the Ohio State University, reviewed at length the suc-

cessful administration of Dr. Thompson. Among other

things he said:

Anyone who has known the Ohio State University during

this past quarter of a century, when the character and control

of William Oxley Thompson have pervaded every portion of

• 2
 

Dr. William Oxley Thompson Honored          315

 

the campus, must realize how much its present development

and spiritual hold upon its members are but the reflection of

one dominating personality and must look back with affection

and respect upon the man and the place.

Mrs. Thompson was not forgotten in the honors

showered upon her husband. Miss Edith D. Cockins,

Chairman of the committee in charge of arranging the

dinner, presented Mrs. Thompson a gold wrist watch on

behalf of the alumni, students, faculty and friends.

Mr. Lowry F. Sater, who presided as toastmaster,

presented Dr. Thompson, who spoke briefly in heartfelt

gratitude for the kind expression of those who had pre-

ceded him. "I am profoundly interested in the citizen-

ship of Ohio," said he. "I want to see a great citizen-

ship here, a citizenship which will honor God, love man-

kind and serve oncoming generations."

Mr. Sater then read the following tribute to Presi-

dent Thompson, the master builder of the great insti-

tution which he has served with distinguished ability

and signal success for a quarter of a century:

As the history of Ohio State University is written, the

growth, development, and inspiration of the last twenty-five years

will constitute one of its proudest epochs. Upon the foundation

so firmly laid by those who preceded him, it has been the privi-

lege and opportunity of William Oxley Thompson to direct the

upbuilding of a great institution, worthy of the citizenship it

would serve.

He took up his work in the prime of his powers and

strength; and we rejoice today that after a quarter century of

continuous, untiring, and devoted service, we yet enjoy the coun-

sel, the judgment, and the blessing of the years of his maturity.

As an able and far-sighted administrator, he has met and

discharged, with increasing success and wisdom, the problems

pertaining to a tenfold increase in attendance, and an expendi-

ture commensurate with and attendant upon the ever-widening

fields of university service.

An educator in the broadest sense of the term, purposeful,

practical, progressive, and democratic, he has impressed on the

• 3
 

316       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

teachers of the state and Nation, as he has exemplified to the

young men and women passing before him, the principles of

sound and productive scholarship, the inspirational qualities of

constructive leadership, and the dignity of honorable service.

Earnest, eloquent and forceful; alert and loyal to the best

interests of the community; intensely devoted to his country

and its institutions; tolerant, gentle and optimistic, he long has

been recognized as a leader of enlightened public opinion.

As a minister of God, he has attested with joy and gladness

to the things that are true and honest and just and pure and

lovely and of good report, and with sympathetic spirituality and

helpfulness has ministered graciously to all who have come

within the sphere of his influence.

Visualizing with the genius of generalship the opportunities

and necessities of the extraordinary situation, and giving without

stint of himself, he marshaled and led, during the World War,

with concentrated and commanding patriotism, the combined

forces of the university into vigorous and valiant action. The

thrill of that memorable April day when, with ringing eloquence,

he placed the entire man power and equipment of the university

at the disposal of President Wilson; the fervency of his in-

vocations upon the thousands of students, alumni, and instruc-

tors who responded to the call; the fatherly expectancy with

which he awaited, the exultant acclaim with which he welcomed

the home-coming hosts, and the sorrow which he voiced for

"the unreturning brave," blend into a picture of imperishable

glory.

Upon the lives of a larger number of men and women of

the state than any other person, he has, by personal example,

set the impress of his own character and ideals. To no one of

his generation is the commonwealth under greater obligations;

to no one does it accord higher respect. A power for civic

righteousness; a lover of his fellowmen; a broad-minded, gen-

erous, courteous Christian gentleman;

Truly he has had

The heart to conceive,

The understanding to direct,

And the hand to execute.

Of him, in terms of endearment, for years to come, the

state will say, "He has wrought the people lasting good."

With every wish for the continuation of that happiness which

has crowned your efforts in our behalf, and with every assurance

of the love and affection that can be evidenced by the meaning

• 4
 

Dr. William Oxley Thompson Honored         317

 

and memories of this occasion, as the trustees, the faculty, the

alumni, the students and the friends of Ohio State University,

we hail you, William Oxley Thompson, the first citizen of Ohio.

This tribute, which was written by Mr. Sater and

beautifully engrossed in a book with the signatures of

the guests, was presented to Dr. Thompson, who made

a brief but feeling reply.

• 5