UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1939-01-27_Page-073

242 Appendix B-page 3. great government city so that Cairo will have a section comparable to "Charlottenberg" in Germany and "Concorde" in France. The first thing which strikes a visitor as he approaches the American University at Cairo is the beauty of its buildings and grounds. On closer examination one discovers the reason for this. The grounds have nice lawns and gardens with a succession of blooms from plants and shrubs and a surpis-ing lack of litter. The buildings are painted and are in a good state of repair. The halls and classrooms are neat and the sanitary conditions unbelievably good. It is important that the University has exerted extreme care in matters of this sort because the Oriental has a tendency to let things slide until an emergency demands that they receive attention. In order to appreciate the splendid spirit of the faculty, one must go back two years. From sources which one cannot question, comes clear evidence that the morale of the faculty was in a very serious condition two years ago. There was constant friction all along the line; one instructor told me that he wondered how much longer he could stick it out. Dean Galt went to America in June 1937. Then in the fall of the same year a miracle occurred. Dr. Watson took hold of the College as Acting Dean and the same faculty which had lost confidence in its leadership, and in marry cases had developed into mere time servers, became a closely knit group with a unity of purpose and an enthusiasm for their work that was unbelievable. As one man said, "I never believed that one could become so interested in his job that he would become utterly oblivious to the passing of time." The material was there, but the leadership was lacking. Dr. Watson with his ability as a leader and an organizer, with his example of devotion and hard work, wrought what every one in Cairo willingly admits is a miracle. Perhaps it is best to forget the past and thank God that the staff we now have in Egypt has a oneness of spirit that will make itself felt in a telling way in that section of the Moslem World. As far as I could see, there was not a discordant note. We face the future very soberly, more conscious than ever before that one instrument constantly off key can ruin the music of the best trained orchestra. Badeau as Dean is certain to prove a success. He knows the Arabic language so that he is at home in talking with the students and with all types of Egg ptians. He is a born teacher. He thinks clearly and puts his ideas in such a way that they are intelligible to students to whom English is a foreign language. He likes people and gets along well with them. His spirit of devotion has been tried and not found wanting in bboottah Iraq and Egypt. Under the leadership of a man of such outstanding qualities, the College is sure to occupy a place of increasing importance in the life of Egypt. Dr. Harold Smith who is taking over the department of Philosophy and Religion, is a man peculiarly well fitted for service in Egypt. Born in Algiers of missionary parents, he learned both French and Arabic as a youth. He spent five years as a missionary among young Moslems in Tunisia. Instead of spending years in getting ready to work, he is well equipped to take hold immediately and he is doing so. Leslie A. Nichols, Jr., our newly appointed professor of Journalism, is doing an excellent piece of work in his field. "The Campus Caravan", the College paper, has under his guidance become a most creditable publication