South High School - Southernaire Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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and Agassiz and Shaler, arc world-famous. Its faculty, which in times past has included Gray. Agassiz. Pierce. Lowell, Longfellow. Charles Eliot Norton. Langdell and Shaler, still has among its number many eminent scholars and instructors, presided over by Charles William F.liot, and some lovable deans. Many things might lie said of Harvard—of its educational, athletic and social advantages—but the brevity of this article docs not permit. But a word ought to be said about certain disadvantages often urged against Harvard—the exacting requirements for admission, the lack of college spirit, and the lack of democratic spirit. As to admission requirements, Harvard is perhaps more exacting in this respect than any other university. But this fact ought not to keep any man from going there; it ought to make the goal for which he is striving all the more desirable. Moreover, every South High man who has yet taken the Harvard entrance examinations has passed, and this in spite of the fact that the requirements for admission have demanded more than the South High curriculum has provided, and in spite of the fact that every man so far has taken all his entrance examinations, elementary and advanced at one time. A man may be admitted to Harvard even though he fails to pass several of his examinations, provided he makes up his deficiency before his junior year. 1 would advise any one contemplating a course at Harvard to take the elementary examinations in June following his junior year, and the advanced or final examinations one year later. Much is said about the lack of class and college spirit at Harvard, because of the great size of the university. This, I believe, is not well founded. It is true that Harvard has between 4000 and 'mou students, and that the classes are too large for one man to know a very large part of his own class, but the class spirit is there. It is not manifested in petty squabbles and rushes between classes, for there is no such antagonism at Harvard. It is manifested in a healthy rivalry for honors in athletic, debating, and other contests between classes during undergraduate days, and in a rivalry to do the college the most honor by splendid lives and generous gifts after graduation. The loyalty and generosity of Harvard graduates to their alma mater is as inspiring as it is remarkable. As Dean Hurlbut Jias put it, “A man isn't long in Cambridge before he is dyed a deep crimson.” The impression is also prevalent that owing to the presence of a large number of wealthy students at Harvard the man of ordinary means is at a disadvantage. This impression can best be corrected by the statement of one qualified to judge, J4

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WHY A STUDENT SHOULD GO TO HARVARD. 7i JT K. Dooley in one of his talks with Hennessv described Georgetown Uni I i versity as the winter quarters of the Georgetown baseball team. There are many persons, no doubt, who with Mr. Dooley, believe that colleges exist primarily to foster athletics, and whose estimate of higher institutions of learning is based on the proficiency and skill of the various athletic teams representing those institutions. Harvard University is almost never ranked by such a method. Its high place among the universities of America and Europe has been won on other merit. Harvard is the oldest college in America. Founded in 1 GAG. almost three centuries ago. by the Massachusetts Hay Colony in Xcwtowne only three miles from Boston, its history has l een inextricably woven into that of the origin and growth of our great nation. In the first year or two of its existence, the college received a large gift of hooks and some money from the estate of Reverend John Harvard, and in honor of its first benefactor, the college was given the name, Harvard. After several years Xcwtowne was changed to Cambridge after the old English University from which many in the Massachusetts Bay Colony had graduated. Founded for definite purposes by the Colony, the college was liberally supported. and prospered. Today it holds the proud distinction of being the largest university in America: largest in number of students and of living graduates. The endowment of Harvard University is exceeded by that of only one of two universities in America; its plant and equipment is excelled by none. The Harvard College Library is exceeded in number of volumes only by the Congressional Library and the Boston Public. Its museums and laboratories, developed by Gray n

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who has said. “Whenever you encounter a poor boy of eager, aggressive mind, a youth of energy, one capable of feeling the enjoyment of struggling with a multitude and making his merit known, say to him, that Harvard College is expressly constituted for such as he. Here he will find the largest provision for his needs and the clearest field for his talents. Money is a power everywhere, it is a power here, but a power of far more restricted scope titan in the world at large. If a poor man is a man of muscle, the athletic organizations will welcome him; if a man skilled in words, he will be made editor of the college papers; and if he has the powers that fit him for the place, the whole body of his classmates will elect him orator, ivy orator or poet without the slightest regard to whether his purse is full or empty. Harvard college makes liberal provision in the way of scholarships and beneficiary funds for those who show excellence in their college work. The college aids men also in obtaining various kinds of employment, so that it is possible tor a man who is bright of mind and strong of body to work his way through Harvard and at the same time win honors. In a word, Harvard is a grand, good, big institution where any intelligent young man is broadened mentally and socially as well as physically, and is well prepared and equipped for the battle of life. (irosvenor Monro Jones. »«». Washington, D. C. 25