Education: Bee Alights

Since 1923, when he buzzed angrily out of New England, Dr. Alexander Meiklejohn, bumblebee of U. S. pedagogy, has circled uncertainly about over the educational field, shooting off for a space to Europe, returning to circle some more, with a louder buzz about an “independent college” to be founded for three millions with the aid of friends (TIME, June 25, 1923 et seq; Sept. 15, 1924). At one point, the students of Knox College informally extended a bouquet to the buzzing one, in the shape of their presidential chair (TIME, Dec. 29), but the circling continued, not only because the Knox trustees were silent but (thought the public) because the “independent college” was still in the making. Evidently it is still in the making, for the bee last week gave notice that he was about to settle temporarily upon a small but hardy perennial, St. John’s College (Annapolis, Md.). There he will exchange, for the pollen of salary and security, the honey of vision and experience, lecturing in advanced Philosophy courses (including six addresses on Education for Democracy), generally promoting the academic and social life of the institution, specifically assisting President Enoch B. Garey, with “important changes” in pedagogical policies, doubtless some of the very changes that precipitated Dr. Meikle John’s fracas with the conservative Amherst trustees two years ago. These included: riddance of mediocre professors; intellectual freedom; amateur athletic coaches.

Dr. Meiklejohn believes in small enrollments. At St. John’s he will find one—last year there were 148 students.