June 1915

Among the many men by whom the University of Nebraska has been most ably represented not the least conspiouous are Chancellor Samuel Avery the late Dean Charles E. Bessey Dean W. G. Hastings of the College of Law and Dr. George E. Condra Head of the Conservation and Soil Survey Department. Chancellor Avery took his present position in 1908. The achievement which he and his friends feel is of the greatest value to the University and which will make him long remembered by the people of the state as an educational statesman of broad-caliber is the settlement of the troublesome Universtiy Location Question by a vote of the people and the procurement of 3/4 mill levy for the expansion of the city campus and the construction of new buildings. By this act alone in less than six years time the physical plant of the University will be more than twice its present size and it will be equipped to accomodate more than twice its present number of students. This great activity of Chancellor Avery's has probably resulted in the most significant development that the University will undergo for many years to come. The late Doctor Charles E. Bessey was one of the milestones in the University's history. His fame as a botanist of international repute his labors in Nebraska for the benefit of the people of Nebraska his long years of devoted service to the University of Nebraska in spite of more lucrative and attractive fields of endeavor elsewhere his great kindness, natural sympathy and close personal touch with his students these and many other elements of greatness, made Doctor Bessey almost an institution within an institution. Through Doctor Bessey the University of Nebraska became known to a large number of people who might otherwise have remained ignorant of its great services. Doctor Bessey was one of the biggest and best advertisements the institution ever had and in spirit the University feels his loss most keenly. Dean W. G. Hastings of the College of Law has behind him an exceptional record for honesty efficiency and broad scholarship both as a law practitioner judge and teacher. He has been connected with the College of Law as one of its professors and its head for more than a decade. His ability to answer almost any question propounded to him by his students his ardent fairness, justice and tact in dealing with student problems such as "sluffing" "cribbing" classroom discipline prejudiced gradding and the like have greatly endeared the Dean to several generations of Nebraska graduates in law. Through him to the University has gained in popular support. The Conservation and Soil Survey sevice of which Doctor Condra is the head is a very practical and desirable service to the state. Many farmers and purchasers of land generally are glad to obtain from the University an analysis of the properties and value of their soils and also to be protected against frauds in the sale of land by get-rich-quick real estate companies. The Conservation and Soil Survey service, in its present state of development and popularity, is largely the result of Doctor Condra's Constructive genius and through his labors the University's direct interest and value to the people has greatly increased.