Drake University - Quax Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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TH T WAS THE YE R THAT WAS The year was 1963-64 and it was a significant year for the Drake commun- ity. Across the margin you will read what we predict is the most significant story of the year-the assassination of President John Kennedy. This news, blasted over every radio and T.V. sta- tion on a windy, rainy day in Novem- ber, stunned the entire campus. The T-D office was filled with students and professors watching the A.P. wire. And the scribbled note on the office door announced to all who may not have heard: President Kennedy is dead. He died at 1 p.m. A spontaneous memo- rial service was held at University Christian church. Unique might be the title for this one year at Drake. Unique it was in many ways, for news ran the gamut from questioned morals of Drake coeds to the announcement that the long- awaited anti-discrimination bill had been passed by the University Senate. Here, then, are the top news stories on the Drake campus: The top news event was the Anti- discrimination bill. Passed by the S-FC in 1962, the bill was sent to the Senate for approval and ratification. Much to their credit, the Senate passed and strengthened the bill to read that all campus groups must show in writing that they do not discriminate or deny membership to individuals on the basis of race, creed or nationality, and that they must produce a letter from their national office fif a national groupj showing the same. Some may call this merely a formality, but we contend that the bill will be the foundation on which discrimination may be wiped out at Drake. ln second place for news value was the establishment of more liberal hours for Drake coeds. The news that such a plan was in the making in 1962 greeted proponents with You'll never do it. But when later hours became a reality this year, the campus decided that the administration really was a part of the twentieth century . . . The United States National Student Association ran into a few snags on campus. Up for affiliation this fall, NSA was defeated by a 10-9 S-FC vote. The following week, a petition was presented to the council carrying the signatures of 1,101 students urging reconsideration of the issue. What happened is only his- tory: NSA's bid was again defeated. The campus was riled up for a time, but soon it forgot. In contention for other campus news stories was the pile driving on work for Meredith 'Hall and students goose-step- ping to classes . . . the Europe-bound students who traveled across the At- lantic for sundry purposes and returned with a greater knowledge . . . the hope that the charter flight would become an annual affair . . . lights on the tennis courts with few using this expanded service . . . womenis physical education classes and the tree-covered field for games . . . and the off-again, on-again Greek-Independent War which loomed in the minds of a few. Neither camp showed much interest other than calling each other nasty names. That was the year that was. It was a good year in most respects. Progress was made in a few major problems and interests shown in a few more. We think this is all we can rightfully ask for. The Editor An Oprmon

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J OH F KENNEDY A trust was betrayed this yearg John F. Ken- nedy, thirty-fifth President of the United States, was murdered by a man he had never lnetg was assassinated by a man be had done no wrongg was destroyed by a man in America. He was smiling when the shot was fired. He was waving when a coward sent death on its journey. He was triumphant as the bullets wrenched his life from his body. His opponents loved him as a man, respected him as a leader, and served him as a President. His friends surrendered to him their hearts, devoted to him their services, and submitted to him their admiration. His countrymen chose him to be their President. His enthusiasm wa-s contagiousg his efforts sin- cereg and his concern for his countryg all it took was one man, one man to murder the humor, devo- tion and brilliance which were his. His counsel simple: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your countryf' So wise, so sincere were his words, that the very assassin who destroyed the flesh unwit- tingly immortalized the spirit. It is ironic, that even in his death he was martyred by his killer for the ideals he had lived by. A great man died needlessly this year. A trust was betrayed. Yet in his death, and in the sorrow of the nation, his spirit lives on, and each of us lost a portion of ourself when he died. Drake students listen and ponder. The somber crowd at Mondays memorial service at University Christian Church

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