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Show BENJAMIN ROGERS HOWELL.On April 14, 1906, Benjamin Rogers Howell handed to President Kingsbury his resignation from the Faculty of the University of Utah, to take effect at the close of the next summer school session. Mr. Howell gave up this position to enter the practice of law.Mr. Howell will indeed be missed from the teaching force of the University. Fresh from Wabash and Columbia, he came to Utah as Instructor in English. He was very young then, but any fears entertained as to his youthful inability were quickly silenced by the capable way in which he conducted every recitation. During the six years he has been at the University, there has gathered about him a coterie of admiring students second only to that which once hung upon the words of Professor Geo. R. Mathews. In fact, it is easy to compare the influence of these two men, for both are alike in having given their classes far more than mere facts. No properly balanced student ever left a course under either, without having a better idea of life and of the necessity for hard work, than when he entered it. Quick to appreciate merit, and scathingly sarcastic to the careless or inattentive, both men left no doubt as to the requirements of their courses. And just as Mr. Mathews roused a strong interest in French language and literature, Mr. Howell, with his alert, interpretative mind; his sympathetic class-readings, and his versatility in making dead facts glow with life, has created among his students an abiding love for English literature.No.comment on Mr. Howell's work at the University is complete without a word concerning his "Rhetoric I," for it was there he met, at one time or another, all candidates for a Bachelor of Art's Degree. One graduate in speaking of this coursesaid: 'Rhetoric I' picked up all the ravelled ends of High School and wove them together so that college work meant something to me." Another enthusiast exclaimed: "'Rhetoric I' helped me in everything I ever studied." To be fair- a thing which Mr. Howell has always insisted upon-we must pause long enough to quote still another, who frankly remarked: "I hated it, but I'm mighty glad I had to take it." His corrections always went straight to the mark, and braced the student for further effort. This course of dull routine, his "saving sense of humor" transformed into one of real interest. No one but enjoyed his pungent criticisms, or his rippling merriment over the ridiculous; and be it to his everlasting renown that he rarely told the same joke twice. To be brief, in 'Rhetoric F Mr. Howell brought hard work and enjoyment together, and gave to freshmen and seniors, alike, a point of view from which to judge both their future and their past college work.In truth, Mr. Howell may feel honestly proud of the record he has made at the University. As Principal of the Preparatory School, and as a member of the English Faculty, he has influenced both high school and college men and women to live up to the best that was in them. The man's sincerity has made his advice helpful, his praise stimulating.Mr. Howell's future success in law will be eagerly watched by a host of University students who, while filled with regret at losing such a man from their Alma Mater, are grateful that it was their good fortune to come under his tuition. One so richly deserving as he, can not fail of the success which his students affectionately wish for him.33 |