Untitled - eCommons@Cornell - Cornell University

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better than Professor Gill. During the World War he was
selected by the United States Geological Survey to go to
Alaska to make a study of the chromite deposits in that
territory,
dustry
a mineral of immense importance to the sttel in
at that time. He combined keen power of observation
and a critical attitude, and these qualities together with his
masterly grasp
of his own and related fields caused him to be
much sought after for advice and consultation. He could
almost invariably make a suggestion to clarify a problem or to
provide a new approach for its solution. His original think
ing
has always been an inspiration to all students with whom
he came in contact. While he himself did not publish many
papers, he won recognition in his field by
the incentive to
achievement with which he inspired his graduate students.
His great achievement has been the stimulus given to his
students and colleagues; his chief memorial, the splendid
body
training.
of men and woman who have gone out under his
His quiet, self-effacing character has led him to sympathize
with the problems of others and to help them by teaching
them to help themselves. He is a man of fine independence
of thought who has truly grasped the knack of living his own
life. Those who know him and have associated with him
have received much more than Geology and Mineralogy from
this with "philosophy his stones".
It is the sincere wish of his colleagues of the University
Faculty that Professor Gill may, in the years to come, enjoy
the well earned freedom and the opportunities for continuing
at leisure his scientific pursuits, which retirement from active
service brings.
5. The following resolution adopted by the University Faculty on
the retirement of Professor Nathaniel Schmidt, was unanimously con
curred in and adopted by the Trustees :
After thirty-six years of eminent service, Nathaniel Schmidt,
Professor of Semitic Languages and Literatures and of Ori
ental History, has retired from his active duties in the uni
versity.
In the thorough training which he received at European
and American universities were laid foundations of an excep
tional linguistic equipment and of that encyclopedic range of