Returning Alumni Help Dedicate
ROBINS MEMORIAL HALL U
OBINS
Hall, "a shelter ior the well and a retreat for the sick,"
.l'- was dedicated on Alumni Day to honor the memory of a "noble
and worthy mother." The $400,000 combination dormitory and infirmary was ma.de possible by the gifts of E. Claiborne Robins, '31, head of an internationally known pharmaceutical company and a member of the University's board of trustees. The Robins story is "the story of a local boy who makes good," Dr. Theodore F. Adams said in his dedicatory address. It also, he pointed out, is the story of a woman who kept the little business going after the death of her husband, meanwhile managing to provide a college education for her only son. Claiborne Robins in naming the building for his mother, Martha Elizabeth Taylor Robins, paid "his tribute of gratitude and appreciation to her." Dr. Adams, pastor of Richmond 's First Baptis,t Church and a fellow member with Robins on the University's board of trustees, said the year Claiborne Robins took charge of the business it grossed only $5,000. The business was carried on in one room . All the work was done by Mrs. Robins, Claiborne, and one employee. "Now," Dr. Adams pointed out, ".it has grown to a multi-million dollar pharmaceutical business with branches in this country and abroad, a business of which the community is rightfully proud, a business that is helping to extend health and good will in this country and many other countries. It is an American story, and an inspiring story of success and achievement."
Robins Hall is not the only monument on the campus to Claiborne Robins' generosity. Dr. Adams pointed to Robins Field and spoke of Claiborne's generous gifts to the Alumni Fund and to the Red and Blue Club. " It is the hope of many of us who love this school that what this alumnus is doing for his Alma Mater will be an inspiration to other alumni to give as they are able and as God has blessed them for the best good of Alma Mater." The building was accepted for the University by President Mod lin. The dedirntory prayer was given by the Rev. Woodrow W. Hasty, pastor of River Road Baptist Church where Robins is a member of the Board of Deacons. The dedication of Robins Hall was the highlight of Alumni Day exercises which included a baseball victory over William and Mary for the State championship. Among the hundreds of alumni who witnessed the game were a score of captains of baseball teams of former years, among them the "silver fox," Coach Malcolm U . Pitt, '18. On the Westhampton College side of the lake the program was highlighted by the Alumnae Hour at which the speakers were two members of the class of 1957 who studied in European colleges on Fulbright scholarships . Mary Katherine Davis, College Government president, studied in Germany and Rosalind Allen in England . Alrnnnae and Alumni Day programs ended with a joint dinner which was followed by a music hour in the reception room of Keller Hall.
BACK TO SCHOOL. Scores of old grads took advantage of the opportunity to sit in the classroom of a favorite professor on Alumni Day. Four of them chat with Dr. Solon B. Cousins, professor of religion, in the hallway of Ryland hall prior to the start of class. Left to right are Walter Hyer, '49; John Clark, '49; Dr. Cousins; William Snead, '44, and Robert Boggs, '52.
Robert Edwin Gaines (Continued from page 3)
ist with no cheap or tawdry illusions and a wise citizen, whose dismay at much he sees leads to but deeper concern for orderly solution. A genial companion, Dr . Gaines likes a good story and can commonly match or surpass it with one from his own repertoire, at which, unlike the jokes of the vil lage schoolmaster,
none need laugh with counterfeited glee. Yes, fifty years is a long, long time, but when such a period is filled with masterful teaching , with forceful influence, with search for the truth and with genial friendship it becomes an enduring benediction alike to students and to friends. Of Dr. Gaines it may be said with all truth as Chaucer said of the clerk. "And gladly wolde he learn And gladly tech." [ 5J
