The Life and Work of Francis Willey Kelsey: Archaeology, Antiquity, and the Arts

6. A Regional Presence: Kelsey Close to Home, 1907-12

chapter 6 A Regional Presence Kelsey Close to Home, 1907–12  while the aia and its programs were taking much of Kelsey’s time and executive abilities in these years, much was happening in Ann Arbor, too. Only a person of unusual aptitudes could attend to developments in the university and town, as well as important moments in his and his family’s private lives, in addition to the policies of the AIA. In Kelsey, both Michigan and the AIA were fortunate to have a leader of exceptional talents. the university of michigan The Presidency By 1907 James Burrill Angell was nearing the end of his presidency. The tasks before him had increased hugely in number and complexity. He was seventyeight years old; his energy levels were diminished; his wife had died in 1903, and she was badly missed. The university, meanwhile, had grown at a tremendous rate. Enrollments were rising continuously, having increased from 3,303 in 1900 to 5,339 in 1910, making Michigan the third-largest college in the United States that year, surpassed only by Columbia and Chicago. When Angell was appointed president in 1871, there had been thirty-‹ve faculty mem158 bers; at his retirement in 1909, there were more than four hundred.1 Administrative problems had therefore multiplied, with increasing demand for new buildings and equipment, more faculty, and improved salaries.All too clearly, more administrators were needed to work closely with a president whose duties were expanding on what seemed an almost daily basis. In early 1905, he had submitted his resignation to the Board of Regents. They had not seen it coming and were taken aback. Though they declined at once to accept his resignation, they instantly offered more administrative help. In the face of their apparent confusion, offer of help, and affection for him, Angell agreed to continue. Just four years later, however, after celebrating his eightieth birthday in January 1909, he was again feeling the pressure of the of‹ce, the changing times, and his age, so he wrote to the regents once more. It is worth quoting his letter in full for its eloquence, modesty, sense of propriety, and generosity of tone. Ann Arbor February 17, 1909 To the Board of Regents: Four years ago I tendered my resignation to you in the belief that the interest of the University would be subserved by the appointment to the presidency of a younger man. You declined in such kind words to accept my resignation that I have continued at my post and rendered the best service of which I was capable. But as I have now passed my eightieth birthday, it is ‹tting that I should renew the tender of my resignation. I therefore do so with the urgent request that you accept it to take effect at the end of the academic year. May I take this occasion to express to you again my sincere thanks for all your courtesy and kindness to me? Yours very truly James B. Angell This time the regents were ready. Regent Loyal Edwin Knappen2 of Grand Rapids at once voiced the unanimous assent and gratitude of the regents, in the most generous terms. The following resolution was passed: A Regional Presence • 159 1. J. L. Marwil, A History of Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1987), 56–57. 2. A University of Michigan graduate (B.A. 1873, M.A. 1876), Knappen had been a prosecuting attorney for Barry and Kent counties, served as U.S. district judge for the Western Dis- That the Board of Regents hereby tenders to James Burrill Angell the appointment of Chancellor of the University of Michigan, the duties of the of‹ce to be such as, at the request of the President, he may be willing and able to perform, the salary for such of‹ce to be $4000 per year with house rent, light and fuel, as long as he sees ‹t to occupy his present residence; said appointment to take effect at the close of this academic year.3 They could hardly have expressed in more genuine a manner or more meaningful terms the profound sense of appreciation they and all Michigan felt for the work of the man who had provided such successful and distinguished leadership to the university for no fewer than thirty-eight years. Angell continued to live in Ann Arbor, providing help in numerous ways, including to Francis...