Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 121

more mature and independent boys he faced at Worcester. Because he could not learn this, he was frequently unhappy and misunderstood.

When he refused simple requests for opportunities to indulge in harmless pranks, when he contrived to detect and outwit student schemes, and when he punished them out of proportion to their offenses, he was undoubtedly convinced that he was. contributing to their moral education. Some students had an insight into his kindliness, but many of them viewed him with a measure of fear and dislike.

Dr. Fuller was to be not only Principal but professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy. In 1888 the trustees decided to confer upon him the more collegiate and dignified title of President of the Faculty.

During the time between Dr. Thompson's departure and Dr. Fuller's return from Europe, an addition to the staff was necessary in order to carry on instruction in Chemistry. The choice fell to Leonard Parker Kinnicutt, son of Francis H. Kinnicutt, who had presided at the organization meeting in 1865. Dr. Kinnicutt was exceedingly well equipped for the position. Twenty-eight years old, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he had spent four years in the study of Chemistry at the universities of Heidelberg and Bonn, a year in graduate work at Johns Hopkins, and two years as an instructor in Qualitative Analysis at Harvard. He had received his degree of Doctor of Science at Harvard in June, 1882, shortly before his appointment to the Institute staff. He was promoted to assistant professor in April, 1883, and to professor three years later.

Also in 1882, Walter U. Barnes, '75, was promoted to instructor. He resigned from the staff the following year. III health made it imperative for Professor Kimball to secure leave of absence for a half year, and Mr. N. D. C. Hodges was secured as instructor in Physics for that period.

Professor Alden attempted no changes in the Institute plan during his tenure as Acting Principal. He had a complete

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Last Modified: Fri Jul 30 11:15:25 EDT 1999