The Two Towers: Main

"The Institute stands about where it did ten years ago," stated one of Tech's professors in 1925. "This state of virtually standing still leaves us at a serious disadvantage," said another.

Maybe so, unless life's best growing sometimes happens while standing still.

As for Tech, there had been no new buildings for ten years. Registrations were low, and the school had again become uncomfortably close to being a local institution. On the other hand, the school had survived a World War. It had lived through a post-war financial and psychological depression. Its administrative affairs were in far better shape than ever before, and best of all, the school was no longer dependent on State support. Worcester Polytechnic Institute had become an independent institution, with its endowment increased by almost two million dollars. For this alone, standing still had been worthwhile.

During the past decade the Alumni Association had assumed a strong identity. It had taken over publication of The Journal, organized a Graduate Placement Bureau, developed a system of fund giving, persuaded the Corporation to change its by-laws to include fifteen alumni appointees on its board, organized the Fifty-Year Associates, and appointed an alumni secretary.