Mary Behrend Dedication Speech

President Milholland,Dr. Keller, Mr. Ferguson, Members of the various boards of Behrend Center, Students and Guests:

This day of the dedication is a very important one for both my daughter and myself. We often have had in mind aver since we were left with Glenhill Farm that it should be used if at all possible for a school or some place of some educational purpose. Over a number of years I tried to accomplish this. It could have been sold for a gambling place, a development program, several low offers came for a residence site (usually with the plan to divide it in one way or another.)

Last spring, when I returned from California, I stopped off in Erie and saw several protects. While in the midst of this here at the farm, I noticed, two visitors walking along over by the pool. So I went out and said to them, "I am Mrs. Behrend. Can I do anything for you?" and presented themselves and Dr. Keller said they were looking around for a spot to locate an Erie center for Pennsylvania State College. I took them all around the place. Dr. Keller knew what was needed and his questions and remarks were very much to the point. After an hour, he asked if he could call up State College. Then things moved along. I went back East knowing that Pennsylvania State College wanted to buy the farm. It seemed so very right that it should be used in connection with an established college.

There were details to be worked out, there were numerous long distance calls with my lawyer, Mr. Gifford, in Erie. What impressed me was the fact that State College wanted it enough to buy it, to endeavor to raise a goodly amount on top of what they could pay--quite a program. They thought well enough of it to want to buy it.

After several days, I said to my daughter, "I think this is something that would be a wonderful memorial to Father--something he almost could have planned himself. I think I should give it all to the college.

And that is how it came about.

Looking back over many years, I know I was able to make two important and very right decisions. The first in 1907 when I consented to marry Ernst Behrend. The second decision was, as you may guess, to make this outright gift to Pennsylvania State College of Glenhill Farm as a memorial to my husband. It is just 50 years since the ground was broken for the Hammermill Paper Company.

It seems suitable that such a memorial should be maintained in Erie. Ernst Behrend did not only head the Hammermill Paper Company, but had time for various civic duties and was active on several boards in this city. He was president to the for several years. These duties he took seriously as indeed he did his citizenship. He tried to put his best into whatever he undertook.

Everyone connected with the Center has been kind and considerate and, what pleases me so much, so appreciative of the beauty of the build- ings and the surroundings. It is gratifying to observe the care with which all details have been worked out in accordance with the architect's original work. And the use which has been made of all spaces is little short amazing. I am sure had there been any hen houses and large dog kennels, Mr. Ferguson would have had them enlarged a bit and some members of the faculty would now be living in them. Maybe not with twins but just couples!

I want to express my thanks to the editors of the Nittinay Cub, the Center's publication, for the very nice article about me which they printed. The magazine is cleverly figured out and I congratulate them I used to publish a small magazine many years ago, the Grasshopper, 250 Only to say I still love the smell of printers' ink and beleive I could soon catch on to setting type once more.

I would like to shake hands with Grace Burt and Donald Bebko, the first young people from the Hammermill to take the courses at Behrend Center

When I first visited Erie back in 1905 and 1906, I met Ernst Behrend. I came out to visit Maud Carter (now Mrs. Shannon and head of the Red Cross) and I am happy she is here today. She will remember that just before the first dinner party the men we were to meet were being described to us and I was asked by whom would you like to sit? And I replied, "I think I would like to sit beside the paper man-he seems the nicest, " and he was.

During these visits, I met his parents. They came in those days every summer and spent three months in Erie. Mrs. William Brust, a sister now living in Erie, always came with them. Mrs. Brust, I am happy to say is here today.

The Mother was a dependable and lovely person and made many friends in Erie. The Father was one of the most interesting men I have ever met. Not particularly tall, with a shock of snow white hair, and fine intelligent face, he presented an appearance not to be forgotten. His mind was keen. His manner of unfolding a problem always fascinated me--even if I did not entirely understand what it would be all about--I would always listen with rapt attention. He never seemed to use an extra word, each sentence was a definite part of the whole. And then he had a loveable and whimsical way of tucking in little jokes and there would be a twinkle in his eye!

These parents of Ernst Behrend were a dependable factor when it came to making my decision to leave my family, relatives in New England, and "go west.

During the first years of our married life, we lived almost in the mill yard with the switching engines snorting past the front porch. Interesting years-visitors from all over the world it seemed: Norway, Sweden, England, Germany, Austria, the Argentine, Brazil, etc., etc.

When our two children were old enough to travel they accompanied us on our cruises and tours--twice around the world and to the West Indies several times, South America and so on.

Wherever we went Hammermill agents always welcomed us and, while we may have missed many sights while being entertained by these kindly people, we did make many good friends. To some of these I' have recently mailed newspaper clippings about this memorial to Ernst Behrend in Erie and have had wonderful letters in return.

My husband, like his Father, had a pleasant, cheery way of meet- ing people and the same little twinkle in his eye. Few people today seem to have twinkles--we need more in this battered up old world.

Many things happened--I cannot talk about it all. But there came a time in our lives when we were sad and bewildered. It was then that we bought this farm and over the years built up the place more or less as you see it today. Mr. J. C. Ainsworth, who many of you will remember as the head of the physical department at the Y.M.C.A., took us first to see the location. We came out here often and had picnics. We used to take long walks through the woods and later had some western ponies we rode. There were always many dogs--we both liked them. (I am glad there are dogs here now.) Many happy years were spent at . We three loved it all

My husband always had time to talk with young people and to be of help to them to the best of his ability. I remember hearing him say more than once that it meant more to him to feel that young people were making good in the mills than to read balance sheets with profit figures. No matter how busy he was, there was always time in his day to listen to the problems young people would bring to him.

I feel grateful that the opportunity to make this gift came exactly as it did. It will further one of his greatest interests- education--to be carried on where loved best to be-Glenhill Farm.

"It is pleasant to feel that, over the years to come, many young men and women will go forth from this lovely spot well equipped from with the instruction education they have received" at the Behrend Center of the Pennsylvania State College.

Thank you.