University of Virginia - Corks and Curls Yearbook (Charlottesville, VA)

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The University of Virginia is a community whose major purpose is the pursuit of academia; it is the act of learn- ing embodied in an institution. People, whether students or faculty, make up the social network, their diversity shadowed in the collective focus on knowledge. But certain traces ofthe differences in origins and interests survive and emerge in non-academi- cal as well as academic areas, comprising an important part of this transitional stage in the individual's life. Learning to function as a competent individual in today's world of international focus requires that each of us assimilate as much basic information in all fields before attempting to solve the problems of our survival. In addition to proficiency in any one of the definable fields of knowledge, the growth of the mind in understanding human nature is essential. Grasping the concepts of toler- ance and appreciation of all viewpoints, even though they may differ from one's own, is of equal importance with mastering the differential equations of the Sileucid Empire. Schools of Commerce, Engineering, and Arts and Sciences merge in the student body. It is a body indeed, striving for the common goal of knowledge. Unfortunately, even the University has succumbed to the lure of the material world; individuals often choose only those subjects of study which will aid their attempts to become wealthy. Fields of learning which were honorably studied for centuries are growing unpopular, or rather unprofitable

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Parties I'm told that when Easters was last held in Mad Bowl, you couldn't find grain anywhere near Char- lottesville days before that fateful Sunday. In a way, it's a shame that Easters will no longer take place in the Bowl, for it was the ultimate manifestation of the common denominator ibesides knowledgei of this school - PARTY. That's a great pair - Drunkeness and Academia, Sot and Scholar. BoozeuLifeblood of a University.The story of a stu- dent and his bottle of bourbon tand gin and vodka and grain, ad nauseumi. Some pretty vivid memories remain tsutprisinglyi. I'll never forget Bryan leaning against the porch at SPE - it was our first year - getting sick, and Flor- ence, his date, chastising me as I made fun of him. True to the cliche, he had the last laugh when about two weeks later he walked by ttheni 52 Lambeth. There I sat tand sometimes law puking at the passers- by. We all have had our nights. But those are extremes - usually it's just a release. The state enjoys the revenue, the school takes advan- tage of the reputation tit is a recruiting mob and the students enjoy the good time. Cheers.

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in today's society. A world of hard facts is no world at all - Thomas Jefferson himself expounded upon the virtues of a complete education. But lamenting the ways of our society is futile unless we have proposed valuable ideas in our critique. The University is still serving its purpose, i.e., to provide each generation with the know- ledge and maturity to function in the society of man. The interaction of peoples forms the basis of the world's history and future; if the student leaves the body with nothing but the ability to communicate with and gain from his peers, a victory has been achieved. The University is a vital force in our culture. It is a source of questioning, for present values may need innovation. Traditional is not always best, especially in the rapidly changing system of ideas which character- izes the modern world. By sharing thoughts with others for a brief period in our lives, a new dimension to our awareness may be gained. Experience with other minds, the acquisition of tolerance, and appreciation for what is superlative in all fields of knowledge can be gained only by interaction with others. People are indeed the most vital force of the University.