Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to M.M. Harris, Dean, Elmira College, July 8, 1927
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to M.M. Harris, Dean, Elmira College, July 8, 1927
Subject
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to M.M. Harris, Dean, Elmira College, July 8, 1927
Transcription
My dear Miss Harris:
The contents of your letter of July 7, just received, have given me something of a shock, for I have had no indication whatever from the authorities of Elmira College up to the present time that any such situation existed as that you now report in connection with my ward. Miss Mary Sun. I visited Elmira during the past winter and talked with a number of the officers, including the President, with the express purpose of discovering just what progress Miss Sun was making. From all sides I received ensuring reports. Miss Sun herself was the only one who expressed misgiving as to how successfully she was making the college grade. The Chinese Minister at Washington wrote also to some personal friend of his on your faculty at a time when Miss Sun seemed a bit depressed, and he reported to me that he had received only reassuring replies.
Under the above circumstances I am sure that you will agree that I have a right to be a bit surprised at the nature of your letter just received. Needless to say I shall do my best to impress upon Miss Sun the absolute necessity of getting down to hard work from now on, though I shall find it very difficult to explain why I have found it necessary to assume this attitude towards her just now when during the year, and as I supposed with the full approval of the college authorities. I was endeavoring to encourage her to commend her faithfulness, and to dissuade her from believing that college work was beyond her grasp. I trust that during the coming year you will advise me frankly and promptly if Miss Sun's work and attitude are not measuring up to your customary standards.
Very sincerely yours.
AES/G
The contents of your letter of July 7, just received, have given me something of a shock, for I have had no indication whatever from the authorities of Elmira College up to the present time that any such situation existed as that you now report in connection with my ward. Miss Mary Sun. I visited Elmira during the past winter and talked with a number of the officers, including the President, with the express purpose of discovering just what progress Miss Sun was making. From all sides I received ensuring reports. Miss Sun herself was the only one who expressed misgiving as to how successfully she was making the college grade. The Chinese Minister at Washington wrote also to some personal friend of his on your faculty at a time when Miss Sun seemed a bit depressed, and he reported to me that he had received only reassuring replies.
Under the above circumstances I am sure that you will agree that I have a right to be a bit surprised at the nature of your letter just received. Needless to say I shall do my best to impress upon Miss Sun the absolute necessity of getting down to hard work from now on, though I shall find it very difficult to explain why I have found it necessary to assume this attitude towards her just now when during the year, and as I supposed with the full approval of the college authorities. I was endeavoring to encourage her to commend her faithfulness, and to dissuade her from believing that college work was beyond her grasp. I trust that during the coming year you will advise me frankly and promptly if Miss Sun's work and attitude are not measuring up to your customary standards.
Very sincerely yours.
AES/G
Creator
Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
July 8, 1927
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence