Columbia University - Columbian Yearbook (New York, NY)

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SENIOR CLASS

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aftlwfiuuy CLASSES

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REMEY TYs GEORGE ODOM JOHN HENRY JOSEPH HAGEN Vice-Preridenl Prefideizf Secretary T1'eafzz1'e1' HISTORY CF THE CLASS GF 1930 PRES:-:MAN YEAR RIDE goeth before a fall, and prep school seniors enter college as freshmen. In September, 1926, another group of yearlings entered into the Columbia fold. Groups of waiting Sophomores pounced on every Frosh on his way to his first class. The captured ones were borne to South Field and there were submitted to certain indignities. It was literally a Frosh Welcome, and it did the new men good. When the Sophomores had tired of their fun and had left the harassed Freshmen alone on South Field, the latter realized they were all of one body. The Class of 1950 had come into eixstence. With black caps on the top of their heads and green cards prominent in their jackets, these yearling soon learned the meaning of the word humility. But the abrasions which accompanied that lesson were more than made up for by the feeling of pride they experienced whenever the cry '30 this way! was heard on the campus. The holding of the Song Fest brought the men of 1930 out to the South Field stands in a body. Under the guidance of the vigilant Sophomores, they went through the college songs and cheers until the latter were satisfied with their knowledge. Some unfortunate Freshmen, however, displayed an ignorance of songs that brought them swift punishment. Any Frosh discovered looking nonchalant or merely mouthing the words he should have been singing was escorted from the stands by the Sophomores and was liberally daubed with shoe blacking. At the conclusion of the last song, white tags were distributed to those men who had successfully passed the test, and the Black Avengers walked through the Campus seeking yearlings without these symbols. An opportunity was given the Class of 1950 to avenge its past indignities with the annual Frosh-Soph tug-of-war. As usual, the Freshman outnumbered the Sophomores. Those few of the latter who showed up and dared the prowess of 1930 were soon pulled through the stream of cold water which marked defeat. Not content with the success, the Frosh picked up the hawser and paraded around the Campus with it in a dance of victory. Rushing came in November and brought with it a new, exaggerated impression of the importance of the Freshman. For a brief ten days the Class of 1930 was king of the campus. Dances, dinners, and theatre parties were showered on its members without stint. On the tenth day the fraternity bids were given our, and a new flock of shiny pins