Expansion caused controversy about Yale's new roles. Noah Porter, moral philosopher, was president from 1871 to 1886. During an age of tremendous expansion in higher education, Porter resisted the rise of the new research university, claiming that an eager embrace of its ideals would corrupt undergraduate education. Many of Porter's contemporaries criticized his administration, and historians since have disparaged his leadership. Levesque argues Porter was not a simple-minded reactionary, uncritically committed to tradition, but a principled and selective conservative. He did not endorse everything old or reject everything new; rather, he sought to apply long-established ethical and pedagogical principles to a rapidly changing culture. He may have misunderstood some of the challenges of his time, but he correctly anticipated the enduring tensions that have accompanied the emergence and growth of the modern university. COUNT 5
QSN1 When was Noah Porter president of Yale? ANS1 1871 to 1886 QSN2 What idea did Noah Porter strike down? ANS2 new research university QSN3 What did many historians think of Noah Porter? ANS3 simple-minded reactionary, uncritically committed to tradition QSN4 What was Porter's reason for striking down the research university? ANS4 an eager embrace of its ideals would corrupt undergraduate education QSN5 What caused disagreement about Yale's new position? ANS5 Expansion