[7] Trustees of the university and many of the staff were conservative and unenthusiastic about the idea of focusing on economics and political science, with courses in accounting, banking, and business law.

University trustees were excited to find a man with such an impressive resume and with a philosophy about higher education that was compatible with their own.

James and the trustees agreed to make the university the top Methodist institution of higher education in the country.

A letter to James from M. H. Wilson, chairman of the board of trustees, stated, "[NU] is ambitious to develop and broaden that curriculum as rapidly as a wise administration of its resources will permit; [W]e cannot believe that on this proposition, your judgement will differ from our own.

Poorly funded library services, science laboratories and professional schools, for example, limited education access for both faculty and students.

Enrollment and its revenue stream were hampered by the absence of graduate and technical schools, residence and dining halls, a chapel, gymnasium, and student union.

He persuaded the trustees to create a Jubilee Memorial Fund for celebrations during the 1905 semi-centennial but his other fund-raising ideas were less successful.

He tried to market the school's name with football, baseball, and debate teams, and with such academic programs as alumni groups, scholarships, and fellowships.

William A. Dyche, Northwestern business manager, summarized: "I sometimes feel that James's wide horizon and his eagerness to plan for the years ahead were, from a practical standpoint, a source of weakness.

His initial objective was to establish contacts with various influential people across the nation and spend some time visiting campuses.

Before leaving his position, president Draper advised James to "[raise] scholarly standards and [improve] instruction," and warned that the University had received as much financial help from the state of Illinois as could be had.

James ignored Draper's assessment of state appropriations, knowing that Illinois had increased spending in many categories and seeing an opportunity for the University to obtain monies that would fund future needs.

In addition, via the mill tax law, James increased savings by seven times that of the prior thirty-six years.

With infinite patience and kindly tact and wisdom he has met and solved difficulties and opposition, and has overcome obstacles.

He lived in the old white house in front of the campus until the first world war came and made it be used for the Y.M.C.A for the school of military aeronautics.

The light from the beacon on each hill In widening circles sweeps, And evil, ignorance and fear Are swept from plain and steeps.

Then up to the light walk the children of men, O'er the way that their leader has trod, Where o'er torrent and crag and peak he has blazed A path to the city of God Such, Edmund James, is the way you have walked Through the years of your dwelling time here, As up the hills of knowledge you've led With courage, wisdom and cheer, I give you greeting, Edmund James, In the name of the women and men Who've walked through dark and light with you, And know you a leader of men.