University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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An intensified rushing program began for the fraternities, and the freshmen scrutinized each and every fraternity before choosing the one they desired. Smokers, ic dances, sales talks, dinners, ball games all attracted freshmen, and in the end hundreds of them signed to different fraternities. Pledgeships began and the frater- nity system was in lull swing. Campus activities began to move along, and the University was soon bu zing with activity. Pat Dionne organized a very inspiring Brother hood week with its main theme Brotherhood —It Asks Po Be Lived ; the varsity singers sang in Carnegie Hall: the basketball team be- gan finding its own. beating Bates, and giving I'Conn and Northeastern a hard battle: the Maine Cam juts continued to appear regularly, with its efficient presentation of the news; the Maine Masque began preparations for The Tempest; and the International Club high- lighted Brotherhood week with an entertaining group ol skelc lies. And while the campus hummed with events, a few men left for the army. There weren't many, hardly enough to be noticed; some were inducted and some enlisted, but in every Ira- ternity. in every dormitory there was an empty chair, an empty desk. There was talk ol a de- ferment test to be given students, and the boys began worrying about the future. It became difficult studying with such insecure prospects, and grades fell off. More boys were taking Ad- vanced RO TC than ever before. In the bac k- ground of every campus activity lay the knowl- edge that the army might snatch you away any- An rditor views (he news. time. Men took physical examinations and found themselves fit. March was coming—win- ter was going to leave and spring enter. It is three o'clock and March. The wind snaps any remnants ol snow from the hands on our University clock. The quarter mark of the year is reached. and winter is breathing its last breath. The campus turns toward religion and welcomes its religious leaders onto the campus, and a week is devoted to a reaffirmation of faith; 'while in the Little 'heatre the Maine Masque brings Shakespeare on stage again, and as the sun strengthens in the heavens athletes take the field and run. play baseball, and participate in track events. It is a month struggling to forget winter. March is. but each day, in the morning, the chi I lx wind kisses the coeds good day and re- minds them that winter hasn't left the campus yet. h is three o'clock and March. The month of March was an active month, socially, and the cleaners had exceptional busi- ness cleaning suits and pressing evening gowns. There was the Sophomore Hop, ably led by Connie I.awlcy. setting off St. Patrick’s day with just tlie right note, and the sorority formals fol lowed, and Sigma Chi and Kappa Sigma were bombarded with sorority girls and their dates. I he Maine Masque presented a vivid perfor- mance of Shakespeare's Tempest, and Jerry Matus and Dwight Frye thrilled all audiences And ask a blessing all divine. II

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 ! : ' hnl Iheu llun iff if I wo ... Slowly the month came to a close, and stu- dents burned the midnight oil cramming lor final examinations. Coffee pots perked on the stoves in fraternity houses and bull sessions pre- ceded exams. Bleary-eyed pupils staggered into rooms and answered lengthy questions for two hours and returned, convinced that it just didn’t pay to study. I he month ended and the students were eagerly looking forward to the Spring semester. The old notes were thrown out. The old hooks were filed away. I he old tests, old notebooks, old penc ils Idled the waste- baskets. and everyone looked forward to a bright, new semester when 4.0 was going to be achieved. It i two o'clock inul February. The hands of our clock shake a little stiow from their exterior and move confidently through the second hour of OM 12 hour journey. Seniors receive diplo- mas and say their farewells, their throats catch- ing just a little, and leave, ready for the largest classroom that exists, ready for the largest test they'll ever have to take, while, on the campus, fraternities make grand plans for rushing week, with pinhes, elaborate and frequent, and the neze semestei begins with a noise and students form long lines in I he Bookstore buying books and equipment. and bustle to and fro arranging their schedules. “Have you taken this course— zehat's it likeV' Is he an easy grader{ “I haven't got Saturday classes'’' “Why don't these book-buying lines move faster.'' It's a neze se- mester and the spirit is high and the outlook is bright. It is two o'clock and February. 1()2 students received their Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees at the ninety-first commence- ment and the gymnasium was crowded with happy faces. Proud parents watched their sons and daughters march to the platform and re- ceive their diplomas, proud that the past four years have opened the door to a hopeful future, and as these graduates left, friends left, leaders left, and the new. young talent filled their large shoes and began the new semester with a de- termined intention to charge this University with a spirit never seen before. The beauty of Moose head. We lift our hearts in prayer for thee 10

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.1 long wav down. with professional acting. Mr. Brickcr, the di- rector. employed crafty stage techniques, and the modernistic touch of this theatre organiza- tion was recognized throughout the area. And in this windy, stormy, unpredictable month the Student Religious Organization asked all students to turn to their innermost thoughts, to he conscious of the faith they be- longed to. to argue with themselves and with others on all the basic, philosophic questions religion entails. Embassy week was here. The workings of each religion was explained to the students, and any question anyone might ask was given an attempted answer. Ludwig Lewisohn. the brilliant lecturer, author, and professor, gave the keynote speech and touched on the basic theme of the week: What Docs God Re- quire of Us? Religious leaders visited dormi- tories and fraternities, and a religious aura per- vaded the campus. And in the midst of this inner probing stud- ents were invading their closets and brushing the dust from their baseball gloves; tennis play- ers bought new balls for the oncoming season, and the track team could be seen practicing each day in the Field 1 louse. Intramural basket- ball was at its height, and Phi Gamma Delta was conquering all opposition: in handball Phi Mu Delta became the leaders. I here wasn't a night that the gym wasn't crowded with fraternity ball players. The campus became restless. Vacation was near and students became anxious to leave. It would In- spring weather when we returned; there was no question of it. The end of March approached. Cars were simonized. Valises were packed and loaded into the trunks of the cats. I be Bookstore bulletin board was filled with sought after rides and riders. The University of Maine campus became empty as the last car was driven toward its home. Vacation was here, l ime to rest and forget about studies as every- one became cheery driving along the highway, driving towards a real home-cooked meal. is loin o'clock and April. The hands of our dock move steadily onward, their goal in sight, and their movement is determined. The rain lias left them wet. Students return from their Taster vacations, prepared for the closing of the academic year. Spring sports are in the air and the foot hall team and baseball and track teams are in the outdoors practicing and the campus is alive with activity: “Who’s ploying baseball today?“ “doing to the Beaux Arts Ball?’ “Who's the new talent for the football team? “Maybe I'll try out for the Masque play. . . The end of the school year at Maine is as beautiful as can be found in this country, and in this month the leaves start turning, the grass starts growing, and the co-eds begin wear- ing their cotton dresses. It is four o'clock and A pril. In the sports world we were having a success- ful spring, beating Colby and Bates in baseball, and winning consistently in track. Lloyd Mil- bank set a new shotput record, and the track team prepared to defend their state champion- ship in the early part of May. The football Off with the hats! God ever keep thee in His hand,