Sunset (magazine)/Volume 31/A Woman of Vision
Dr. Luella Clay Carson, president of Mills College, California, the only woman's college on the Pacific Coast. An educator of wide experience, and the author of a text-book used in Wellesley College and the public schools of New York City
A Woman of Vision
"LEARNED but modest, brilliant but unassuming, efficient but unselfish, with respect for men and reverence for God" is Dr. Luella Clay Carson's characterization of the ideal woman. To the furtherance of this ideal she has given her life work, first as dean of women in the University of Oregon, and for the past four years as president of Mills College in California.
This latter institution has the unique distinction of being the only woman's college on the Pacific Coast. Founded by Dr. and Mrs. Cyrus T. Mills, it has stood for the highest ideals in the education of women. With the death of Mrs. Susan Lincoln Mills in December last the college passed from the direct influence of its founders. At such a time in the history of an institution it is natural to look bout backward and forward to view with gratulation and satisfaction the history of the past and to cast a prophetic glance into the future. Mills College has had an honorable record and its future is assured under such able leadership as that of its present president.
Vision is one of the prime qualities of leadership, and this quality Dr. Carson possesses to a marked degree. It is inspiring to listen to her as she outlines her ideals for "The Greater Mills College," which the large-minded and generous citizens of this coast will undoubtedly make an actuality by generous endowment. While it is possible to have a university on a log, with the student at one end and Mark Hopkins at the other, the modern college in order to meet modern conditions must be well equipped.
"As to the material component," Dr. Carson, "I am looking forward to the time when the college shall be appropriately housed, in modern buildings uniform in color and material, with enough diversity in style to give variety. Though we have a splendid location and a good-sized campus of 150 acres, I am anxious that we should acquire about thirteen acres on the south. Upon this tract is a hill commanding a view of the surrounding country. This is an ideal location for a group of art buildings. In addition to groups of buildings on the campus I would have a row of splendid new buildings on both sides of Seminary avenue.
"Intellectually and morally a woman's college in the West must be upon broad foundations, for it has unusual opportunities for training women for the larger service required of them in this great Western commonwealth. Unlike the colleges of an older civilination it is not bound by tradition and must prepare for a larger social and political life than was ever dreamed possible in the past.
"Woman in the home has ever been the conserver of health, the promoter of comfort, the divider of the loaf and the missionary of beauty. She must perform these offices for the state as the home. To prepare her for these enlarged duties, courses of study should follow those four main lines.
"To conserve the Public Health a thorough knowledge of biology, bacteriology, sanitation, chemistry and physical culture are necessary.
"To, promote the public comfort and welfare requires an acquaintance with sociology, political economy and civics.
"To divide the loaf requires an accurate acquaintance with foodstuffs and their proper preparation, together with all the variety of knowledge embraced in modern domestic economy. The problem of the high cost of living might be solved if women had a more accurate knowledge of the cost and quality of foodstuffs.
"The missionary of beauty must have a broad grounding in painting, music, architecture, sculpture and the drama.
"Along with the intellectual training must go the developing and deepening of the spiritual nature which is the highest function of a woman's college. And thus 'Greater Mills College' will interpret to a new generation its motto ' Pro Christo et Mundo '.
"Why not get this training at the great universities? you ask. University courses are prepared in the main by men for men, and from the mass of information a woman must select what she needs. In a woman's college the courses are prepared especially for women. The selection has been made with the needs of women in view, and thus the time and energy of the student is Saved."
This far-sighted president of Mills College was born in Portland, Oregon. Her parents were prominent pioneers of that state. Her early education was obtained in the schools of her native city. For two years she was a pupil at Mills, but ill-health compelled her to give up her work there. It is interesting to note that she was at Benicia during the Seminary's last year at that place. The enthusiastic young girl listened eagerly to Dr. Mills' account of the new buildings which are the old buildings of the present, and to his plans for the enlarged usefulness of the school, little dreaming that some day she would be guiding the destinies of Mills College with a vision for its future which its founder never pictured in his most prophetic moments.
Dr. Carson's experience in teaching has been wide. She began her career as preceptress in the Pacific University at Forest Grove, Oregon. Then she served as Vice-principal of the Canch School of Portland. from which position she was called to be dean of women at the University of Oregon. Always an intimate friend of Mrs. Mills, the latter chose her in 1909 to be her successor as president.
Dr. Carson has traveled widely in this country and Europe. Recently she visited all the women's colleges of the Eastern States. She is also a writer. Her best known work is a "Handbook of English Composition" which has been adopted by Wellesley College, and by the public schools of New York City. Lela Angier Lenfest.