Excerpt from The Kaleidoscope, 1915

Thus warmly was President Graham greeted upon the threshold of his office, and thus auspiciously was he inducted into the privileges and responsibilities Of that Office. But it is not the entrance upon a course, always, that is hard, that really counts; it is rather the continuance in the work once undertaken and the prosecution of an' enterprise to a successful issue. After all, whatever may be said of traditions and equipment, the one as necessary as the other is inspiring, it is not so much what a man may be said to bring to his task, as what he actually puts into it and gets out of it that will in the last analysis determine whether his career is to be accounted a success or a failure. The compliments paid a man upon his election to an office of honor and trust are not to be disparaged and may well be cherished, but the recognition that comes as a result of patient toil, persistent effort, and useful service is even more highly to be prized and coveted.

With such a standard of worth, such a test Of efficiency before him, the present head of the college may well be gratified at the assurances of approval and commendation he has received from various quarters since he undertook the duties of his new and difficult position. One year after he became president he was honored with the degree Of D. D. From Washington and Lee University, and two years later he was given the same degree bythe University of Pittsburgh. Thus the world outside has been delighted to honor a man who has commended himself to its favorable attention by virtue of his high office and his discharge of its duties.

But better still, in the sixth year of his administration - a period flatteringly short in connection with the peculiar honor about to be mentioned, but sufficiently long to insure its sincerity and to enhance its value - comes this significant tribute to their president from those in a position to know him best and to appreciate him most, from the students themselves in the person of their chosen representatives, the kaleidoscope Staff comes this tribute, the dedication to Dr. Graham of the kaleidoscope for I9I4-I5. To receive such a mark of approval from those over whom one is placed in so intimate and difficult a relation must be regarded as indeed a compliment and a pledge Of acceptable and satisfactory service. At a distance the world may applaud and speak kindly words, and such expressions may not be so significant. However pleasant and true, but when they whose fortunes are directly involved, when they who come in close and daily contact with an official are constrained to publish to the world their voluntary verdict of commendation and confidence, surely nothing better could be desired as a commentary on the way in which the tasks have been met and the work has been done.

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