Regis College - Ranger Yearbook (Denver, CO)

Page 30 text:

Ideally the purpose of higher education is to de- velop and perfect the natural powers of the intellect; specifically, to enable a man to reason clearly and accurately after viewing various aspects of a prop- osition. An understanding of the written and spoken word is the reward of such a trained reasoning process. The memory, as all human faculties, needs con- stant exercise on worthy subjects; the imagination, due to the sameness of daily livng, requires external stimulation for its perfection. The purpose of the Classical Department is to make the reasoning power accurate and compre- hensive, to illumine the imagination by the scenes of an era so far removed from the 20th century and yet so much a part of each of us. Mythology, the prov- ince of Classical Latin and Greek, provides us themes intrinsically fascinating, and the inspira- tion of all great literature from the fall of Rome to our own day. The acquisition of the almost unlimited vocabu- lary of the Classical Languages is the foundation for an accurate and informed knowledge and use of English, and of all Romance Languages. We ac- quire from Greek and Latin the ge nuine meaning and value of words, their order and connection, and a grasp of grammar nowhere else to be ac- quired, with such depth and precision, as in labor- ing on the complex languages of Latin and Greek. Education of the mind, mental culture, dexterity of thought, the correcting and maturing of ideas, the broad view of the different varieties of meaning in language are the immediate rewards of the en- gaging and enjoyable study of Greek and Latin. Inherent in the Classical Languages are a beauty of sound and rhythm to be found in no other Literature. The perfection of style both grammatical and rhetorical is the best way to prepare for the skillful and finished expression of ideas in one ' s own native tongue, and surely a means to great writing, for by studying the masters we treat dic- tion, oral and written, as an art. The experience of studying the Classical authors makes clear why such ancient works, still so vi- vacious and modern, are correctly called ' Classics, ' for we read them with pleasure, our minds are re- freshed, purified, and ennobled by the perfect ex- pression of great minds whose works remain dear to us and always inspiring after the lapse of 2000 years .... — Matthew R. Lynch, S.J. Rev. Matthew Lynch, SJ. designed his courses in Greek and Latin so as to acquaint the student with ancient culture. These classics, the mythology of the Greeks and Romans and the in- fluence of their philosophic systems upon literature are studied and evaluated by Father Karst. 26

Page 29 text:

An organic chemistry student prepares his experiment on cyclohexene during his lab. The main purpose of these lab periods is to acquaint one with the scientific procedures. T he objectives of the Department of Chemistry are to introduce the student to the principles of modern science and to train him in the processes of thought which have organized these principles into a coherent unit. The program of studies as offered by the department is also aimed at meeting the needs of the following classes of students: 1. For the student who will enter the chemical profession or will continue his training in graduate school, the program provides a broad basic training in theoretical principles of the fundamental branches traditional to this sci- ence amplified by a selected group of ad- vanced courses. 2. For the student preparing for the medical or related professions it offers a thorough train- ing in those fundamental branches of Chemis- try which are so basic to these professions. 3. The student with a primary interest in the humanities or social sciences will find Chem- istry to be a scientific study of general edu- cational value. It will provide him with a scientific approach to the solution of prob- lems, an experience with laboratory methods of investigation, and will present to him some of the major intellectual achievements of Chemistry. It will also help him to achieve sufficient scientific knowledge to exercise a critical judgement in evaluating the problems that occur in the material world in which we live. — Francis J. Ozog Here we see the same with an inorganic student. I Chemistry lab assistant, Tom Luttenegger, aids a bewildered chem. student. 25

Page 31 text:

Mr. Kenneth Seidenstricker ' s course is so designed as to give the student an understanding of the factors which influence economic decision-making. Rev. Robert Murphy points out the interrelationship of firms, industries, and the public in the national economy. The Department of Economics seeks to give the student an understanding of the factors which in- fluence economic decision-making, so that the stu- dent may think clearly and independently about the economic problems which he may face in later life, both as an individual and as a member of society. This knowledge of economics is essential for a proper understanding and appreciation of our present society. Our form of free-enterprise capital- ism reveals as much a part of the American way of life as is the freedom of voicing our opinion. Not everyone, unfortunately, realizes the importance of understanding our economic system. Only re- cently it was stated by a well-known financial analyst that: the American economy is the eighth wonder of the world ; the ninth wonder is the eco- nomic ignorance of the American public. The courses offered at Regis are d esigned to acquaint the student with the factors most relevant to decision making in the business firms and in- dustry. Also, courses are offered which show the ways in which the various national economics in- fluence each other in the international economy. The efforts of both America and Russia to bring the uncommitted and underdeveloped nations with- in their respective spheres of influence and the outcome of the cold war will be determined in large part by economic forces and issues. — Kenneth C. Seidenstricker J 27