Albany College of Pharmacy - Alembic Yearbook (Albany, NY)

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to tlie advancement and upholding of a high standard in the pharmaceutical world. Some of you may use the knowledge acquired here as a foundation for more advanced work in this or closely allied lines. All must realize that the end of your present work is only the beginning of a broader and more extended field of labor. You cannot remain stationary, you must either advance or fall behind. There may be some who are of opinion that they are not by nature or surrounding conditions on an equality with others, it is not always those who appear to, and in fact may have advantage over others, who succeed to the greatest extent. The world is wide; the outlook and opportunities are greater than ever; in all probability just as good in your environment as in some distant locality. The race is not always to the strong and swift. A consistent and persistent purpose, slow in pursuit it may he, will in all cases bring no small measure of satisfaction and success. Allow me to urge you to hold fast what ydtf'have obtained, and deter- mine to add to it. always bearing in mind that your Alma Mater stands ready at all times to aid in every possible way. A. B. H. 21

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A Parting Hurt» in thr (Hians nf 1917 There is seldom a more inspiring sight than a group of young people, boys and girls, gathered in an institution, for one common purpose, that of preparing themselves to go forth into the world to begin life’s work. Nor is there a more responsible position than that of one who undertakes to guide and instruct such a body. The success of such work does not lie on one side alone. There must be union of purpose and effort to accomplish the best results. The student who does not appreciate this fact, does not come up to the full measure or attainment that he is supposed to desire, nor can the teacher who does not appreciate his responsibility and is not inspired by the young faces before him, render good and efficient service. There jmust be a union of purpose and concerted action to secure best results. The Class of 1917 is nearing the time of departure from its Alma Mater, and the future life of each member will reveal to what extent this period of instruction has been utilized. Two years have passed since we came together as student and teacher. The relations have been very pleasant. We have come to know each other well, our good and poorer equalities. Some of you have exceeded expecta- tions in your application to the work which was before you; some have not come up to what was promised at the beginning. Each one will have approval or lack such in themselves. If there are those who feel that they might have been more persevering in their efforts and it acts as a stimulus for the future, it will prove of value, and many there are who I know will have a satisfaction, if not pride in reviewing the past because of attainments secured. The future will soon begin to spread out before you and the position you may occupy, either as principal or assistant, will to some extent at least, call upon you to apply knowledge acquired. The pharmacist can and should assume a position in the community where he resides of an advisory and helpful character. This he can do by applying the knowledge for the conduct of his work. To-day this work, by force of circumstances, is of a mixed character, part commercial, and, I am sorry to say, far too small a part professional. It is to be hoped that you have a love for your work. If you have not and are in it solely as a means of livelihood or for the position it gives you, you will not contribute 20

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i urrpsa The great secret of success in life is to be prepared when opportunity knocks at your door. There is nothing quite so persistent as that inward voice ever reminding us, ever persuading us to improve those opportunities that are prevalent throughout our entire life. Then you must be prepared at all times to forge ahead, to grow up and reach out. That man who asserts that he has no opportunity within his scope must be miserable, fighting his own conscience and crushing that voice within him. Now is the time, when youth favors you, chances await you and ambition calls you to grow strong in knowledge and make good every chance in your path. It is the one great opportunity of your whole life, and if you improve this one many others are bound to follow, but if you disregard it your chances are simply lost forever. Some people are of the opinion that an opportunity is a goldcti thing, untangible in a way, and its forthcoming is announced by trumpet blasts. .Such people wander through life indifferently awaiting that chance to come and lay itself at their feet. To such people that chance will never come. They do not seem to realize that these “ chances ” always exist and that an eligible person is the chief requisite in filling the bill. In other words, one must “ produce the goods to hold down the job.” There are so many “ live wires ” these days that you must continually go ahead, learn something new, keep up with the times or you will be forced to retreat into the hazy background. Once you stop, remember, someone else is catching up with you or else getting ahead of you. If you wish to he a success in the twentieth century, you must elbow by your competitors in the alleyways of life. We men of the twentieth century are divided into three classes: Those who are horn rich, those who acquire riches, and those who have riches thrust upon them. Generally those who are fortunate enough to be of the first class invest their fortune profitably under the supervision of their wise fathers, who perhaps accumulated the wealth ; or else squander it and, having no available means of acquiring a similar fortune, the door of opportunity is barred against them. The second class comprises the man of the hour. The man who is sought after. The progressive, energetic man; the alert, wideawake man, to whom all in turn must bow. He is the man who believed the great reward was not 22