"President Porter's resignation was a great surprise to all; not because it was not to be expected in the near future, but because it has come with so little warning, just at this time. Probably no one will feel that his reasons for asking to be relieved of his burden some duties are not of the best, but on every hand regret is expressed that it is necessary that he should retire from the active government of the college. He is the eleventh president of the college, and the terms of only three, president Pierson, 1701-7, president Andrew 1707-19, and president Daggett, 1776-77, have been shorter, while president Woolsey's term of office was twenty-five years, 1846-71, and president Day's term was twenty-eight years, 1817-46. He will long be remembered for his kindness and geniality; for his dignity under all circumstances; and for the general prosperity of the college, and for the additions that have been made to the college buildings and funds, and the advances that have been made in the curriculum under the guidance of his policy, which was neither conservative where conservatism could retard safe progress, nor radically progressive. But with his withdrawal from the presidency, he will not sever his connection with the college as an instructor. Long may he live to teach before his classes, and to impress, by his example, those lessons of culture, generosity and uprightness, for which his life has been eminent. It is with mingled feelings of pride and regret that the present senior class reflects that her baccalaureate sermon will be the last from his lips, and her graduating exercises the last at which he will preside."