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Publisher:
International Young Men's Christian Association Training School (Springfield, Mass.)
Notes:
Major Best served as a Senior Officer in the Canadian YMCA War Services in France during World War I. The War Services offered support to the Canadian Forces overseas by providing guidance and training to arriving soldiers and offering recreational and educational opportunities as well as religious services to troops in Internment Camps. Best graduated from the YMCA Training College (now Springfield College) in 1911. From 1913-1916 he taught Religious Education and Religious Normal Work at the college before heading to France during WWI. Best returned to Springfield College in 1936 to take over as president upon Laurence Doggett's retirement. During his time as president from 1936-1945, Best weathered the draft of the majority of all of the full-time students; setting up and providing quarters and training for prospective Air Force and Navy officers; and the hurricane of 1938. He died on May 19, 1963.
