Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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NORMAL OFFERING 23 Qlnmmenrvmvnt. Eliarultg illvrmatinn. S a war measure it was decided by the Seniors to give up Prom, and many sighs and groans accompanied the announcement. But, true to the Bridgewater spirit, the tempor- ary disappointment gave way to a certain joy that one of the dear- est pleasures of Commencement could be sacrificed to the needs of the country which makes Normal School possible. Still, there were those new dresses which had providently ap- peared in countless closets! How could they be appreciated? The answer to this query was revealed bythe Faculty Reception. It seemed as though every eiort had been expended by the hosts to make it a joyous affair. Mr. and Mrs. Boyden, with other mem- bers of the Faculty, graciously received all aspiring graduates on Friday evening, June the fifteenth, in the Gymnasium. Ranked with oak leaves, and with pots of trailing spirea suspended from the balcony, made an enchanting setting for the festive gowns. And such a pervasive sense of cordiality! Happy faces and bright smiles shone everywhere, while the orchestra did its bit toward the gladness of the hour. Miss Whitney played delightfully upon the violin, and Miss Hooper's piano solo charmed in equal measure. Upstairs delicious ices were served. Afterward a portion of the time was devoted in a promenade and a huge gymnasium-filling circle singing Alma Mater and The Star Spangled Banner. Reluctant good nights were said and all crossed to the quadrangle to sing and cheer for nearly an hour. Lastly, and late, when everyone was supposed to be in bed, came the jolly Junior serenade in South Field. How those girls did sing! Filled with enthusiasm and inspiringly led, they made the night air fairly resound with their clear, vibrant voices. So closed the happy evening, and on the lives of those who participated was left an ineffaceable impression of good cheer graciously bestowed of sparkling mirth, or whole-hearted loyalty to school and country. R. M. '17

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22 NORMAL OFFERING Zliarultg Numa. Miss Martha Pritchard, the only new member of our faculty, joined our ranks last September. She is a graduate of Wheaton Seminary, 1905, of the New York Public Library's School, two- year course in 1914, during which period she was Librarian of the White Plains High School and continued there until 1916. During the years 1914 and 1915 she did extension work in New York University and Columbia. In 1916 she became assistant at the Geneseo Normal School Library, receiving a diploma from the Geneseo Teachers' Librarian Course in 1917. With Miss Pritchard has come a new department. It con- sists of a children's literature course, and a course in the technical use of books. Good reading is necessary for every live teacher of today and here at our new library we find the source. It is not a library of fiction, but a laboratory of knowledge. In it we shall find before long every topic of interest to the teacher. Methods of teaching, psychological growth of the child, the study of individual pupils, books suitable for every kind of children and a collection of every oflicial current magazine which will aid us in any way to a broader view on all subjects. . Aside from the knowledge in the books the course consists of the preparation of the books for the shelves, mending, cataloguing, and accessioning construction, the knowledge and use of a Con- gress, the author, title and class cards are also taught. It also consists of a course of where and how to find the thing we seek. How many people are there who really understand the parts of a library? lt is therefore our duty as teachers to teach the child so that he may not grow up in ignorance. The teacher must also know the contents of the books in order to recommend them to children, and this is the purpose of the course.

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24 NORMAL OFFERING Eiarralaurvate. T four P. M. on June 17, 1917, the graduating classes met in their Assembly Hall for Bacalaureate Vespers. After the classes were assembled Mr. Boyden offered a prayer, very beautiful and appropriate for the occasion. After musical selections by the Glee Club Mr. Boyden delivered the address. He brought out the five important factors in our modern civili- zation. Cur inheritances as named in order were these: First, the contribution of the Hebrews, the spiritual forces, second, Greek culture, third, the Roman contribution of law, fourth, the freedom and individuality of the Teutonsg and fifth, the keynote of our present generation-social consciousness. Having given us these five factors he showed us not only their application to life in general, but their particular application to our life work. Throughout the address, there was displayed, as there had been throughout the years, our Principal's deep sympathy and personal understanding. The service closed with the Ave Maria, sung by our Glee Club, to whom we wish to express hearty thanks. D. M. 'l7. Cfrahuaiinn. AS it gioing to rain on graduation day as it had been raining for the last few weeks? Ch no! Bridgewater never looked lovelier, to our eyes at least, than on June 19, 1917. 'Twas with mingled emotions of joy and regret that we greeted our rela- tives and friends on that day. When we first gathered in Assembly Hall and were led in devotions by Mr. Boyden it seemed just like chapel. Perhaps we realized as never before what the quiet time at the beginning of each school day had meant to us. After this Dreamland and Spring Song were rendered by the Glee Club. Mr. Boyden introduced as the speaker of the day Dr. James Chalmers, superintendent of schools of Fitchburg and principal- elect of Framingham State Normal School. In his original genial way he told us to enjoy our workg to like the subjects we taught, our pupils, the community, the school committee, our churches, the weather, our health, and the world, above all things not to sour but keep sweet. Dr. Chalmers himself seemed the embodi-