The practice of awarding honorary degrees was continued. The
recipients in 1928 were Dr. Hollis, Charles F. Bailey, '88, Gompei
Kuwada, '93, Spencer Miller, '79, Moses B. Kaven, '85, and Rear
Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Largest number of such degrees to be awarded
was in 1929, when eight men received them: Dr. Homer Gage, Hugo
P. Frear, '83, Allan D. Risteen, '85, George 1. Rockwood, '88, Paul
B. Morgan, '90, Prof. Harold B. Smith, Prof. Charles M. Allen, '94,
and Dr. William H. Hobbs, '83, noted geologist and explorer, who gave
the Commencement address. Professor Smith received a Doctor of
Engineering degree from Purdue the same year.
The degree recipients in 1930 were: General Robert I. Rees, vice
president, American Telephone & Telegraph Co., and the Commencement
speaker, Harry P. Davis, '90, Harrison P. Eddy, '91, Henry J. Fuller,
'95, and Samuel S. Edmands, '99. In 1931 they were: Edwin H. Whitney,
'71, C. Francis Harding, '02, Aldus C. Higgins, '93, Charles
E. Eveleth, '99, and Samuel M. Vauclain, president of the Baldwin
Locomotive Works, the Commencement speaker.
Although the scope of this chapter does not permit a complete
chronicle of student life, nor of other campus activities during the
period, a few developments must be included in the record. President
Earle, who in 1930 was restored to the retired rank of Admiral,
U.S.N., was constantly busy with manifold activities. Other faculty
members were active in civic and professional affairs. Students were
engaged in a growing number of extra-curricula activities, yet the
average of scholarship constantly rose.
Among innovations was the change in name of the college annual from
Aftermath to Peddler, in honor of John Boynton's traditional
occupation, effective in 1928. A group of Alumni Contact committees,
for cooperation with the several departments, was appointed by the
Trustees in 1927. In 1929, the Institute was honored for the first
time in the award of Rhodes' Scholarships, when Richard K. Irons, '27,
son of Harold G. Irons, '00, was the recipient. The first At Home Day,
for the
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