Oscar Van Pelt Stout a graduate of the University of Nebraska, now Dean of the Engineering College has been appointed a Major of the United States Army. His assignment to active duty in the Engineering Division will doubtless follow soon. Although still in the prime of life Dean Stout has been connected with the University for many years. Beginning as a student assistant he has worked himself up to the rank of Dean of one of the most important colleges of the institution. This achievement has been effected quietly modestly and has come to him solely through the recognition of his ability and talents on the part of the governing authorities. Though Dean Stout's boyhood was spent in Nebraska and his teaching career has been also here he has had large experience in important engineering works in Colorado Wyoming and other states. In this work he has demonstrated his splendid ability to handle men and to get things done. Personally Dean Stout represents in many respects the ideal western type. Entirely democratic in tastes instincts and feelings he lives but does not boast of his democracy. With his students he associates on terms of sympathy but holds at the same time their unbounded respect. In the faculty meetings of the University he is always one of the safe and sane type standing always for the best in University life. During the assaults that were made on the University's military department last winter by the pacifists in and outside of the University he stood most loyally by the administration and it was due to his efforts more than any other member of the faculty that the attacks on the integrity of this important branch of the institution's activities came to nothing. The temporary absence of Dean Stout from the University will be deeply regretted but all of those who are familiar with his work fuel that it is an ideal appointment. His bearing and conduct will be most wholesome. The rugged honesty of his nature will be of great value. His bravery force and ability to get things done will be of unusual service to his country in this time of need.