Special credit ought to be given here to the liberal citizens of Lynchburg, who subscribed this amount of endowment, ever since kept separate, and designated Lynchburg Endowment Fund. This has brought into the current receipts each year about $1,500. It was the prophecy and forecast of greater liberality in 1891. From this time the professors and officers have always been paid their salaries promptly. The direct and material aid thus afforded was of great benefit, but the influence of such action on other communities and on individuals has been of far greater value. Lynchburg, therefore, deserves, and should have, the gratitude of every Randolph-Macon alumnus and friend. [Illustration: LANGHORNE LEITCH, A. M., _Pace Medalist; Missionary to China._] In the election to fill the office of President the following nominations were made: Rev. John D. Blackwell, D. D., by Paul Whitehead. Rev. Robert N. Sledd, D. D., by W. E. Judkins. Rev. Wilbur F. Tillett, by J. E. Edwards. Rev. John A. Kern, by W. T. Chandler. Rev. Paul Whitehead, D. D., by P. A. Peterson. Prof. Wm. W. Smith, A. M., by Richard Irby. [Illustration: R. N. SLEDD, D. D., _Class of 1855; First Vice-President of the Board._] On the first ballot Prof. W. W. Smith received ten votes out of twenty. On the second ballot he received twelve, and was declared elected. Inasmuch as the history of the College has been so intimately linked with the life of President Smith for so many years, it is not necessary to say much of him just here. He was born in Fauquier county in 1848. His father, Richard M. Smith, afterwards moved to Alexandria, where he was associated with the celebrated Benjamin Hallowell in his school. Afterwards he became editor of the _Alexandria Sentinel_, which was removed to Richmond at the breaking out of hostilities, April, 1861. He afterwards edited the _Enquirer_. At the early age of sixteen William Waugh Smith volunteered in the Confederate service, in which he continued to the close of the war. After the war he was associated with his father in the publication of the _Enquirer_, which had been revived. He attended the University of Virginia one session. When the College was moved to Ashland, and his father became a Professor in it, he matriculated at the College and took the degree of A. M., with John Hannon, in 1873. After leaving College he became the assistant to his uncle, Albert Smith, at Bethel Academy, near Warrenton, Va., which rapidly grew into prominence as a school. Here he remained till 1882, when he was elected Professor of Moral and Mental Science in Randolph-Macon College. In 1885 he showed his great talent for raising funds for the College, by securing the "Lynchburg Endowment," in connection with Dr. R. N. Sledd and others. His energy and aptitude for administration, in addition to the successful experience he had gained at Bethel Academy, pointed him out as the man for the vacant position,