, 1913 The News, Januar y 24
Nashville Banner, February 3, 1913
Sawney Webb was a versatile and forceful personality who left an indelible mark on many areas of life. He was active in educational, political, religious, social, and community affairs. Although he never ran for public office, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1912 to complete an unexpired term caused by the death of Robert L. Taylor. He served from Jan. 24, 1913, to March 3, 1913, and was not a candidate for re-election in 1913. Of course, his greatest contribution was as an educator.
Nashville Banner, January 31, 1913
2013 marks the 100th anniversary of Sawney’s service in Senate
Honor Code at the heart of Webb It does not take long for the words “Honor Code” to enter a conversation with Webb alums – regardless of their ages. Almost without exception, the Honor Code is lauded as one of the Webb “differences” and credited for influencing countless lives. Webb’s Honor Code, the inspiration for the wellknown honor code at Princeton University (see related story), has been a hallmark of Webb for more than 140 years. Students are serious about upholding its tradition and sign a pledge book each year promising not to lie, cheat or steal. “Do nothing on the sly.” This simple, direct statement forms the basic foundation of Webb’s honor code. It is Webb’s approach to dealing with misconduct that is essentially moral in character. The statement was translated into Latin as the school’s motto: “Noli Res Subdole Facere.” “Character, even more than academics, was at the heart of (founder) Sawney Webb’s philosophy,” said Bill Rice, science faculty member since 1986. Rice is completing his first year as Honor Council faculty advisor. “The Honor Code is the most tangible evidence of that.” He added, “The Honor Council is a symbol of the student body’s commitment to the Honor Code and ensures student ownership of the principles of the Honor Code.” Students hear the cases and mete out the judgments. They are expected to report any honor code violations they witness.
While it is often suggested that things need to change to keep up with the times, that’s not so with the Honor Code, according to Smith. “There has been no change, really,” he said, reflecting on his association with the code and council. “The precepts of honor are pretty constant.” Using the Internet as an example, Smith did note that misconduct can be reflected or carried out in ways that did not exist earlier in his tenure. Rice said that in the last survey, a majority of students still rank honor as the most important aspect of the school. One current student told Rice that he likes a statement made by Ron Smith, longtime English faculty member – paraphrased – “When you’re given an assignment, you are taking two tests – the academic test and the test of your honor. You should never fail the test of honor.”
The Princeton University Honor System webpage noted above explains Webb’s influence on the university’s honor code. Webb alumni, Charles Ottley and James Broadnax, played prominently in promoting the adoption of an honor code in 1893 at Princeton, where they were students. A quote from an article written by Edward Tenner entitled “The Honor Code through Wilson’s spectacles” Princeton University Library Chronicle 64:3 (Spring 2003), 425-44, also documents the tie: "Finally, in the autumn of 1892, at least two undergraduates from a small preparatory school, the Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, began to build the movement that the Princetonian had called for. Charles Ottley (Class of 1893) and James Brodnax (Class of 1894) had lived under an honor code established by the school’s founder, Sawney Webb."
Riggs pursues honor code at Berry Ben Riggs ’11 considered The Webb School honor code so important to his education and character that he has pursued the establishment of a similar code at Berry College, where he is president of the Student Government Association. For the past three semesters, Riggs has served on the Honor Code Exploration Committee, which has been charged to explore student interest and faculty support and review code models that Berry might consider if a code is opted. “With the culture that is present at Berry, I thought that an honor code would be something that the student body would like to pick up and own,” said Riggs. “Martha Berry (Berry founder) emphasized the education of the Head, Heart, and the Hands, and I believe bringing an honor code to Berry would be fulfilling what she had in mind with educating the whole person.” The exploration committee has completed all of its tasks and is now reviewing results of a campus-wide survey about the honor code. If the committee recommends proceeding, then Riggs likely will co-chair a separate panel that would be formed to implement the honor code.
HONOR COUNCIL ALUMNI
SAVE THIS DATE
2013 Honor Council Homecoming September 13-14
Summer 2013
The Webb School Magazine
L.R. Smith, longtime history faculty member who served as Honor Council advisor for nearly 30 years, agreed, “The Honor Code is the backbone of the school, and the Honor Council (formed early in the 20th Century) is the flagship student organization. They’re an integral part of the school’s culture ... embody the best that the school has to offer.”
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Webb influences Princeton University Honor Code
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