Ernest M. Best

Item Information

Title:
Ernest M. Best
Description:
Portrait photograph of Ernest M. Best. Ernest Best joined the Ontario YMCA as a youth member in the early 1900s.
Creator:
Aber, Toronto
Date:
[1925?–1950?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
YMCA Hall of Fame Papers
Subjects:
Young Men's Christian Association of North America
Springfield College--Alumni and alumnae
International Young Men's Christian Association College
Springfield College--Faculty
Springfield College
Springfield College--Presidents
Best, Ernest Maurice, 1880-1963
YMCA
Portraits
College presidents
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/45
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Notes:
Best received his bachelor’s degree from the International YMCA College (now Springfield College) in 1911, and then took on roles at both the West Side Branch YMCA in New York City and as a faculty member at Springfield College. He served as a senior officer in the Canadian YMCA War Services in France during WWI. After the war, he returned to the West Side YMCA and enrolled in the doctoral program at New York University. He received an appointment to teach theology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and helped found the Sir George Williams University in Montreal in 1928. Best set up courses to train YMCA staff and served as the director for the Far East International Survey of YMCA and YWCAs. Returning from overseas, he was appointed general secretary of the National Council of the YMCAs of Canada. In 1937, Best was inaugurated as the president of Springfield College. He emphasized the traditions of Springfield College including liberal interpretation of Christianity; the education of the whole person; a continued connection with the YMCA; professional training for youth services staff; international student exchange; racial and religious tolerance; and a continuing emphasis on health, physical education, and recreation.
Identifier:
rg103-1996-best-e-portrait-01