Assumption Preparatory School - Memini Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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l ather llclefons van cler Linden, a.a., A.B. PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS MATH Father llclefons was that I ively professor with that delectable Dutch accent, enhanced by an exceptionally happy disposition. Our Freshman teacher in algebra an d prof essor of business mathematics, he gave his all. expected great results, and got them. A good friend as well as an interesting prof, he brought himself closer to his students by granting special privileges which, needless to say, re¬ leased the tension of arduous classes. He was. indeed, happy this year for he is looking forward to returning home at the end of the semester. He missed the scenes of his picturesque homeland. Homesickness is a professor s malady as well as a student’s. Father Arthur Clermont, a.a., A.B. PROFESSOR OF FATIN 1 his comparatively young priest, recently arrived from Washington, greeted us at our first class in the traditional Latin manner, Salvete discipuli mei, and this cheerful salutation has since been replied. Salve, pater, at everv class. “Qui sibi vull ... Flow many times was that question asked. 1 he answer was not always immediate, but it was acquired after many an embarrassing moment for the student. He valued greatly a conversational knowledge of Latin, and thanks to Father Alfred s constant vocabulary drill we became proficient at it. For the short time we had the pleasure of knowing him. we became acquainted with a man of experience, conscientious of his duty as a teacher and determined to see everything through. His desire to know his students well resulted in a pleasant understanding between students and teacher which we ll never forget. Brother Jules Viau, a.a., A.B. PROFESSOR OF GEOGRAPHY Brother Jules was a new addi tion to the Assumption faculty. As director ol the intramurals and monitor, he entrenched himself in the hearts of all, and certainly, not the least contribution to this was his extremely engaging smile. It’s in class, however, that our Holyoke man really shone. If there was anything difficult to understand he quickly cleared everything up with one of his famous comparisons either with Canada or basketball. When, perchance, he finds himself stumped by a question the class can be certain of receiving one of his inimitable tongue wagging acts. His real delight, however, seemed to be in speaking about one ol those big black jobs.’ Conscientious in regard to duty, but friendly to everyone—that was Brother Jules.

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Father Ulric Charpentier, a.a., AM. PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS Here was the heart-warmer of Senior A. I he workshops were a new idea demanding much work from the teacher, hut that was nothing new for Ricky; he had keen conducting them from the beginning. Mathematics were his love and lo him there was nothing more exciting than a challenging problem or a good proof by one of his students. The only way one could ever get a drag with him was to really love math. He was as genial and friendly as they come, but he had one great big fault: he just loved his colored chalk. Will we ever forget his bag of jokes which kept his classes in high spirited humor? Any future successes, whether they be in engineering, chemistry or medicine, will certainly be due to him. Father Alfred Berthiaume, a.a., A.B. PROFESSOR OF LATIN The bell had rung many a time before we would see Fr. Alfred fly around the corner and rush into class with that smile, denoting. Thought I wouldn 1 make it, didn’t you.’ Vocabulary Review 200 words” . . . familiar words to Versification C. His emphasis on vocabulary was not in vain, for he knew the value of a strong knowledge of Latin to be essential for later use. Many will testify to his skill in catching students with his belt. Tico’s Simon Legree never spoiled us with a version that fell below twenty-five lines. Yes, the students will never forget Father Alfred, his genial attitude, his patience, and his understanding. Father Alexis Babineau, a.a., A.M. PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY I ime Hies and so did he. Next chapter boys’—but still his explanations were profuse. His patience was really remarkable for he always explained until everybody understood. When did we see that was his favorite remark when somebody came up with a wrong answer, or if someone should ask an explanation lor a natural phenomenon, he would ask with a sly grin. Do you really want lo know the real reason? ; and we must never forget his expression, ”1 hat s a good question .. . the answer was even better. At any rate, his genial attitude accompanied by his active manner will never cease lo charm his students in the enchanted world of chemistry.

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Mr. Valmore X. Gaucher, A.B. PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH Mr. Gaucher finishing his thirty-eighth year as a teacher had become a veritable institution. His witty sayings and perpetual complaints as to mothers- in law, wages (tbirty-six cents an hour—with a Buick?) are what we remember him by. “Gentlemen. . . . take Julius Caesar; your next exam counts half the month . . .”; indeed, oftentimes the halves were so many that they could hardly be fitted into one monthly mark. At any rate any marks hovering around seventy-five were definitely shameful in his opinion. His reflections on politics, values, and Canadian folklore, strange as it may seem, always found a place in his special treatment of the English poets. Mr. Lucien H. Desjardins, AM. PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS In teaching physics, Mr. Desjardins had a twofold purpose in mind; first to expose the hitherto unsuspected wonders of the universe, and then to show clearly how to put these facts to practical use. He was most successful. We II not quickly forget his simple explanations of difficult problems and his attitudes towards questions which didn t always make sense. His classes were as straightforward and practical as the instructor who taught them . . . suppositions never went far, reality was the mainstay. Never a moment was wasted and time flew by with oftentimes lightning rapidity. His knowing hand led us through many a lab period without trouble or mishap, and the dark secrets of the physical realm became as clear and as startling as light after a long period of darkness. Mr. Raymond j. Marion, A. M. PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AND CIVICS Did he ever miss a recitation? A man of realities . . . and with what examples! Mr. Marion is probably the only professor in the school who commanded so much respect without asking for it. He was extremely devoted to his subject and to its teaching in the proper manner. He taught history and civics, yes, but also taught common sense, humanity and dutiful adherence to all that is Christian. A marine in the last war, he succeeded in showing what army life was, and how to cope with its problems. His example has set for many, ideals of industry, Christian living, and straight¬ forwardness in everything. PROFESSOR OF GREEK Our memories of the classes of Mr. Hudon ... ah, what memories! He was blessed wit h a gift for in teresting anecdotes which enlivened the classes at the proper moments. I lis pace in class never slowed down ... in fact, at times, he spoke so much that he had to alleviate his throat with medicaments. Like Father Ildefons, he was not averse to permitting little liberties to relieve the tension of a hard working class. Possessing an indefinite degree of patience, even during our more lively moments, he had, however, an excellent counter-measure: work and more work. Luckily for us, he never thought of giving us one of his famous four¬ teen page compositions ... in Greek!! Mr. Robert Hudon, A.B.