Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

Page 33 text:

Li. Col. Knox, Mr. Callahan, Ll. Ax Col. Byrne. Col. Mayo, Lt. Col. Clarkson Department of Mathematics Possibly the greatest load ever to rest on the shoulders of a V.M.I, cadet is the day he hears the outline of his future math courses. However, under the guidance of an outstanding faculty, most of us manage to pull through our Rat year. And then into the hands of the Third Class falls about the most terrifying course required under the V.M.I, curriculum — calculus! The nightmare of calculus is never forgotten, but the vivid personality of such teachers as Colonel Mayo help spread a litlle excitement along the bumpy mathematical road to a dip. Military life is by tradition inex- tricably wrapped up in the principles of mathematics, but nowhere do we find this more true than at ' .M.I. Since we look upon the Institute as primarily an engineering school, we are certainly justified in giving math- ematics the stress that we do. No man leaves here without that certain knowledge of math that B. D. and Phee insist will lake him a long way in whatever line of work he chooses.

Page 32 text:

Lancaster, Ll. Col. Blain, Col. Moseley, Col. Mil Nol in picture: Col. Edwards. Lt. Col. Welles Department of Foreign Languages At this time the Department of Foreign Languages takes on an air of importance as never before. With V.M.I. men in the mih- tary service branching out to the four corners of the earth, the knowledge of almost any foreign language is of an untold value. On entering the Institute each Rat has the opportunity of select- ing one of three foreign languages, Spanish, French, or German, as a subject during his first two years. Liberal Artists and Pre- Medical students have the privilege of taking two languages, the second of which is taken during their last two years. Col. Moselev It will most probably turn out that he who took Spanish will find himself stationed in France; he who took French will find himself sta- tioned in Germany ; and he who took German will get shot before he has a chance to apply what Col- onel Edwards taught him. But the ability to read and use a foreign language, any foreign language, gives that person a wider and more workable understanding of what lies beyond his own backyard.

Page 34 text:

m Li. Ree ' Lt. Col. We s, Lt. Gantt, Lt. Newman m. Col. Heflin, Major Foster Department of Physics Of all the departments included in the V.M.I, system, the De- partment of Physics holds the strongest air of practicality and thoroughness. The text of laws and principles was transformed into impressive realization before our skeptical eyes during the aft- ernoon lab classes of our third class year. Through such experi- mentation, a V.M.I, cadet acquires the very essence of scientific education and an outlook of having laws revealed to him through proof. Few cadets have been known to be happy over the lot of physics when examination period rolls around, but when the accuracy and practicality begin tc count, they thank their lucky stars for Teddy Bear , Buck , and Iggy. In addition, none forget the won ders of natural phenomena discovered and explained in these classes. A knowledge of physics is a luxury and a must for all well-informed people, whether they be engineers or liberal artists.