527

497

"Nothing is more abundant in North Carolina than opportunities unless
it is people aspiring to use them. Governor Sanford has pointed to dark
spaces in our society and indicated the way to brightening them through the
power of learning. The ultimate success of these programs depends heavily
upon the progress of the University and the implementation of its strengthened
resources in the total program of the state's forward movement.

"We are virtually sure that our total college population will reach 125,000
in North Carolina by 1975. We have authorized the expansion of existing
college facilities and the establishment of new institutions. Where will their
faculties come from? Who will train the instructional staffs for the community
colleges and the industrial education centers? What steps are we taking to
share our resources with other institutions? The current widespread discus-
sion among private foundations, educational agencies, and in the government
about strengthening predominately Negro colleges by various forms of assist-
ance and other programs is a matter of particular interest.

"It is predicted that within the next decade over 50 percent of the
population of North Carolina will be living in urban areas. Less than 14
percent of the population will be employed on the farms. Much of the shift
will, of course, be to industries based upon agriculture which will mean
that agriculture and agricultural science will not be less important but
different and more important. It is estimated that 1,300 new industries
supplying 60 to 70 thousand jobs will be established. Enormous educational
opportunities are created by these population shifts and demands for new
skills. Our leading industries will move toward greater automation and
the change this will produce has significant consequences.

"It has been said that there is no southern university, public or private,
that ranks among the top twenty institutions in America. I regret that this
is true. I also believe it to be true that no southern university will achieve
this rank without a major administrative effort backed by the resources
necessary to assemble a first-line faculty, excellent libraries, and modern
laboratory and classroom equipment. In addition, the climate of university
affairs must be at the optimum.

"Whatever our evaluation of the current regional or national standing of
the University of North Carolina, competent and objective observers judge
it to be of sufficient strength to merit designation as one of five institutions
in the southern states which have a chance to attain national rank. The
author of the most recent reliable study of higher education in America
states that the job in higher education and graduate study will not be done
in this University and fourteen other similarly designated, do not meet the
need. To only 23 institutions out of over 1,800 in this country will fall
most of this task. Governor Sanford has called for the State of North Carolina
to enter the mainstream of the nation. If this is to be done, it is imperatively
necessary, in my judgment, that the University of North Carolina be one of
the universities in the national forefront.

"And it is on this note that I close. I invite every Trustee to join with
those of us in the University in making ours a University that will be all
that the designation connotes. From such an institution will come young
men and women who will have a knowledge and understanding of the world,
a sense of personal responsibility for its movement toward greater freedom
from poverty, suffering, ill health, and suppression. I believe the Univer-
sity has a major responsibility to make higher education in North Carolina
contribute effectively to this end. It is the best instrument we have for our
advancement. Let us be proud of its achievements, constructive in our
criticism, and confident that whatever the future may hold, we shall give
our very best effort while we are entrusted with its stewardship."

At the close of President Friday's report Governor Sanford expressed
appreciation to the retiring faculty members on behalf of himself and all of
North Carolina for their many years of devoted service.

Tribute to Chancellor Aycock

Mr. Frank Parker, Chairman of a Special Committee composed of Mrs.
Mebane H. Burgwyn, Henry A. Foscue, Rudolph I. Mintz, John W. Umstead, Jr.,
and Mr. Parker, read the following tribute to Chancellor William B. Aycock and