THE CAEVIN PORTRAIT 
31 
ADDRESS OF PROFESSOR THOMAS ON BEHALF OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY 
Mr. President: 
Speaking on behalf of the department founded by Professor Calvin 
and as one of his pupils during the maturer years of his life I may be 
pardoned for pointing out on this impressive occasion that the Geology 
Department of the University to-day has developed about the ideals of 
^l^e noble man whose memory we are met to honor and whose portrait 
is 'before us. Indeed, his ideals have a profound influence like that of 
a guardian spirit over the department’s activities. Even new instructors, 
who never knew Doctor Calvin, confess to a feeling of some benign 
power that seems to pervade the very atmosphere of Old Science Hall. 
Each member of the staff on occasion doubtless finds himself directed 
in his teaching methods and departmental policies by the wise standards 
set by our worthy predecessor. The years we are now passing through 
are the first stage, it seems to me, in the development of a wholesome 
tradition and it is such inspiring traditions as Calvin’s ideals that go to 
make an institution great. 
In the department of geology today the courses offered are largely 
those developed by Professor Calvin. “Principles of Geology,” “General 
Geology,” “Paleontology,” “Geologj'^ of Iowa” are given in much the way 
he organized them. That these fundamental courses were broadly planned 
is evidenced by their flexibility, for today with registration in the depart- 
ment quadrupled since 1911 they to a large degree adequately meet the 
growing demands. Principles of Geology and General Geology are courses 
designed by Calvin for the general student who then as now wants the view- 
point of geology without becoming technically trained. More and more these 
courses are looked upon as cultural courses and as sources of inspiration ; 
this is as CalVin would have them. Witness some of his favorite themes : 
The Great Life Story; The Glacial Story; The Face of Iowa; Geology 
and Revelation. The substance of these sermons and their spirit, in so far 
as we can transmit them, are being offered to ever increasing numbers 
of boys and girls of Iowa illustrated in great part by the very specimens 
he himself collected and depicted by illustrations and lantern slides which 
he made with his own hands. Calvin’s collections from all parts of the 
state and country are the nuclei of present teaching and research mater- 
ials. It is regrettable that his death cut short his mature plans of writing 
up and of describing many things he had to leave. 
It is only after we are separated by many decades from the work of 
illustrious men that we begin fully to appreciate the greatness and enduring 
qualities of their work. Less than a brief decade lies between us and 
him who laid so well the foundations of geology in Iowa. More and 
more clearly, however, is there dawning upon us not only the extent to 
which we are indebted but also the extent to which students yet unborn 
will be indebted to Calvin’s broad conceptions and scholarly interpreta- 
tions of the geology of the state. The impetus which his rugged honesty, 
sincerity and high ideals have engendered will grow ever larger to the 
end that knowledge may abound and that the truth shall prevail. 
A. O. Thomas. 
