GO RED,
BEAT
THE
TOMS
The Record
STUDENT PUBLICATION OF ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY
VOL 87, NO. 8 • COLLEGEVILLE, MN. 56321 ? SEPTEMBER 27, 1974
Dr. Henry Returns From ND
Prodigal President Prefers Pines
By Mike Smith
Imagine that you're teaching government classes in a Benedictine tradition that's been with you 41 years, running the Center for the Study Local Government and in
your fourteenth year of involvement in Minnesota politics. Suddenly, in the middle of Spring term, a women's college 600 miles away requires your services as president in a time of tumult and decline. What do you do?
1
Would you believe commute? That is what Dr. Edward Henry decided would best effect his standard of balance between teaching and action. In the spring of 1972 he taught at St. John's during the week and administered at St. Mary's College, Ind., on the weekends. The past two years, on a leave of absence from St. John's, he continued the work he began that spring to rebuild the prestige of the nation's largest and oldest Catholic women's college, in the face of Notre Dame's new coeducational policy. The balance was maintained as the new chief also taught.
Applications Up During that time, applications rose 50% and the college had a $400,000 surplus each year. Applications for fall, 1975 were already coming in when Dr. Henry turned down a 6-year contract and returned to St. John's four weeks ago. He described his stay as "interesting and rich" and had nothing but praise for his staff. The former St. Cloud Sentinel editor claimed that collecting the money for the excess of male students who had classes at St. Mary's was among the more difficult of h i s tasks. However, convincing the local convent that fheir students needed more open house than Sunday afternoons had to require delicate maneuvering. Henry contends, and is supported by a national survey, that the position of college president is most analogous^ the post of mayor. mer mayor of St.
was oriented to the problems of harnessing diverse groups under one ideal.
Back in Pines While back at the Harvard of the Pines, the new man in Engel 304C sees his standard reflected in the feeling that "the study of politics is aimed at action." He does not see the renewal of his long association with the Benedictines (he is now an oblate) as a return to the womb but as a stimulus to build a better society through students. Consequently, follows and gets great satisfaction out of the activities of former pupils.
Asked to compare institutions, Dr. Henry offered, "I would have a hard time deciding to have my boys go to Notre Dame or St. John's. Notre Dame may be more known for its academics, but the Carnegie Commission has recognized St. John's as high in p e rs o n a 1 development. The son of St. Mary's College Parents Council president is currently attending St. John's through his influence. Leaving 304C it felt good to know that a man of such experience and openness was with us again.
INSIDE
Homecoming p. 2
Reply to Mike p. 4
More Transcripts p. 5
Mortae Dirw . p. 8
