Fitchburg State University - Saxifrage Yearbook (Fitchburg, MA)

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THE SAXIFRAGE 1923 FOREWORD Soon, ere we realize it, the golden moments of life ' s yesterdays will pass and we will go out to overcome the problems of a strenuous world. The Editorial Board presents this second volume of The Saxi- frage as a record of the achievements of the Class of ' 23. If, in future years, when our days of student life are over and the work of teaching others to live has become a reality, this Saxi- frage recalls happy memories of our Xormal School life, and aids in ever keeping in mind the 1923 Spirit that helped to win many a victory, then indeed will it have accomplished it.- purpose. u

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r 11 E SAX I F R AG E 192 3 IN MEMORIAM In the death of David Y. Colhurn, which occurred February 5, 1923, the faculty and students of the Fitchburg Normal School lost a true friend and one who has clone much for the advancement of Practical Arts. All students who have ever come under his instruction will remember that he had a personal interest in their welfare and prog- sS He was born in East Washington, N. H., February 18, 1864, and was a descend- ant of Xathaniel Colburn of Dedham. He came to Fitchburg when a young man and after entering the building trade, became a superintendent of contracts. During twenty- five years in this position, he trained many men in the trade. In 1904 he was ap- pointed Superintendent of Buildings for the city of Fitchburg and held this position for four years. For sixteen years Air. Colburn was in continuous military service of the Com- monwealth. He enlisted in Co. B, Sixth Regiment, M. V. M., August 31, 1885. He gradually rose in rank until he was commissioned first lieutenant of the company. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, he went to Framingham in command of the Fitchburg Fusiliers (Co. B, Sixth Regiment, M. V. M.), but failed physically in his examination for captaincy. It was with keen disappointment and grief that he bade his company good-by when they left for service. He was then commissioned captain of the Twenty-Eighth Provisional Company, M. V. M., which was a home unit. When the Fusiliers returned and were mustered out of Federal service, he was their choice as captain, and received his commission on April 21, 1899. Captain Col- burn ' s decisions were always respected by every man in his company. He received an honorable discharge in November, 1900, having given many years of faithful and loyal service to his state and country. In 191 1 Mr. Colburn was engaged as an instructor in the Practical Arts Depart- ment. Aside from the professional value of his work, there will always linger a deep regard for his sincere devotion to a good cause. The faculty and students of the Practical Arts Department attended funeral ser- vices at the Calvinistic Congregational Church, February 8, 1923. On April 28, a firing squad and bugler of ex-service men from the Normal School paid their last tribute to a departed comrade, friend, and teacher, with the firing of three volleys and the sounding of taps.

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1 11 E SAX] F R AG E 1 9 2 3 NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Class of L923 was gratified to hear of the permanent appointment of Mr. Parkinson as Principal of F. N. S. It meant that one who had done much for the advancement of education through the training of successful teachers was to continue as a sage friend and advisor. He had been here only a short time before the entry of the Class of 1923, but our passage through the difficult days of training showed his helpful suggestions and kindly thoughts for our welfare. We hope that the students cf Fitchburg Normal of the future may profit by his presence, even as we have. We, as a Class, have been very fortunate to come under the influence of Mrs. Lester McLean. Jr. We shall always remember her as one who had a deep personal interest in the welfare of the entire student body. She was graduated from Colorado College. Colorado Springs, with the degree of A. B., and later did post-graduate work at Columbia University. For several years she acted as traveling student-secretary of the V. Y. C. A. for colleges, universities, and normal schools. For five years she was Assistant Dean of Women at Colorado College and later was International Friendship Secretary of the Y. W. C. A. in Tokyo, Japan. The Class of 1923 wish her health and happiness in her future work. Miss Cora M. Hassell was engaged as librarian to fill one of the several vacancies on our faculty. She is a graduate of the Hyannis Normal School and later took a special course in the library department of Simmons College. She came to us from a position in the Concord ' High School, Concord, N. H. We will always remember her as the patient instructor who helped us to broaden our education by directing our research work. Miss Susan M. Williams came to us to teach English, from the Middletown Township High School of Leonardo, N. J. She is a graduate of Boston University. We will always remember her for the sunshine of her smile. Miss Marion E. Peterson was engaged as supervisor of commercial subjects in the schools of observation and practice. She was graduated from Simmons College in 1920 with the degree of B. S. For the next two years she taught in the secretarial depart- ment of the Centenary Collegiate Institute of Hackettstown, N. J. Miss Grace Barr was engaged as supervisor of music to fill the vacancy caused by the leave of absence of one year granted to Miss Elizabeth D. Perry. We will always remember her for the spirit and enthusiasm which she instilled into us in the direction of our Glee Clubs and chorus singing. For several years she was supervisor of music in the public schools of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and later taught in the music depart- ment of the Iowa State Teachers ' College at Cedar Falls. She has had a liberal musical education, having studied privately in Chicago, Illinois, and Omaha, Nebraska, During the coming summer she is to teach for four weeks in the Ohio State University and do two weeks ' lecture work in county institutes in Ohio. She has also accepted a short-time position at Lasell Seminary. She leaves us with our best wishes for a successful future. Miss Marie M. Gearan has acted as assistant supervisor of the first six grades at the Day Street School for the past year. She is a graduate of the F. N. S. and left a position as principal of a primary school in Gardner, Mass., to become one of our faculty. Marion F. Anthony w r as engaged as principal of the Day Street School. She is a graduate of and former teacher at the Fitchburg Normal School. She has won the esteem and respect of all those who have had her for a teacher and friend. The Class of 1923, and Saxifrage Board, wish to thank the members of the faculty lor their helpful suggestions and advice which helped to make this second volume of The Saxifrage a reality. We owe a great deal to Mr. Henry J. Clancy, our faculty advisor, for hi- aid in securing a permit to solicit advertising. It was his never fail spirit which carried us over many of the difficult places. 16