A few months ago friends of Dr. Ralph C. McDanel ( and that includes about every-
one who has come within hailing distance of this University for the past 41 years), decided that the time had come to do him in oils. It was not so much that we needed a reminder of how he looked in any given year over the past two score for he has changed but little; the same crew cut in season, out of season, in style, out of style, the same trim figure, the same undimmed eye for a shabby footnote. Nor are we particularly trying to honor him, a thing we would never do in public with him sitting by ready to take us apart with his dry, wry wit. What we are really hoping to do with this portrait is to give some innocent freshman years from now, perhaps even a son or grandson of ours, a chance to look at that solid countenance and ask, "Who is that?" That will be all we need to launch into the amazing career of one of the most versatile characters
Remarks of Vernon B. Richardson, '35, in presenting portrait of Dr. McDanel to the University at Alumni Day luncheon, May 13. ever to come down out of the north and teach Confederate history in Virginia for 41 years. The Yankee accent was only on his tongue, not in his treatment of history. We will tell the unsuspecting lad that in 1967 we gave the famous artist, David Silvette, an impossible task. How could he possibly catch on canvas the full spectrum of this man's interests and talents? He must show a scholar with a doctorate from the famed Johns Hopkins, a teacher with an obvious love for the history of his country and who could make dry bones live, a full member of the college community who left his mark in athletics, fraternity life, churchmanship and friendship. Dr. Mac created everywhere a favorable climate for the moments that educate. Who could expect the artist to catch that gleam in the professorial eye when he was about to launch a satirical comment on modern politics? How could the artist suggest that characteristic tug on his cuffs to make sure that everything was as neat as the research papers he demanded? If the function of a portrait is to convey a train of years and a lifetime of character in one arrested instant then we feel that this glimpse of the beloved "Dr. Mac" has succeeded. He came to this University in 1926 with a Ph.D. diploma in one hand and a stack of ideas for term papers in the other. The diploma quickly disappeared, but the term papers from his students have flowed on and on like our esteemed James River, now clear, now polluted. Far beyond the academic cloisters Dr. Mac's interests flourished and his abilities were recognized: National President of O.D.K., the leadership fraternity; District Grand Master of Kappa Sigma, his social fraternity; President
of the Southern Conference, the governing body in athletics for most colleges and universities of the South at the time; President of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, the highest office Virginia Baptists can bestow on minister or layman. On and on the honors extend each be-
so much come so quickly from so many in response to so few words of request. There is enough left over to buy for the library such a huge collection of required reading in the field of history and political science as to make future generations of students wish that we had skipped the whole idea!
i;alpb ~. i$1c1!lanel He" created everywhere a favorable climate for the moments that educate."
speaking years of faithfulness in a few things before his being made ruler over many things. In every role Dr. Mac was the same man, integrity itself, one of those rare and choice persons who is all of a piece. Mr. President, as a small by-product of our making possible this portrait to the University, we are happy to inform you that the tight money market is a thing of the past and that the days of easy currency and affiuent alumni are with us once more. Never in the history of fund raising has
We are happy, Sir, to present this por trait of Dr . Ralph C. McDanel in affectionate appreciation of him as a teacher of men whose love of excellence in all things has inspired our lives, deepened our pride in our country and taught us new dimensions in citizenship with its responsbilities as well as its rights. We may add, Sir, in the presentation of this portrait, and in the spirit of this one who never missed a chance for a friendly dig, that having been around for the framing we all fervently hope to be here for the hanging!
"NOW, THOSE RASCALSIN WASHINGTON." W. Rush Loving, '56, one of the great band of McDanel hero-worshipers, shot the above picture when he was a student in Dr. Mac's class. Dr. McDanel had no idea that Loving, who should have been taking notes in European history, was instead taking a series of candid snapshots. [ 5]
