Benedictine College - Raven Yearbook (Atchison, KS)

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A Mind Well Skilled OF the four major clubs on the campus probably the most idealistic is the International Relations Club. This organization is composed of students interested in an intelligent and educational study of the international situation with the View of a better understanding of world conditions and the possibilities ol effecting that highest of ideals- Pax Christi in Regno Christi. Although the organization is now in its third year it now has even a deeper significance at this time of strife and warfare since it is an attempt on the part of interested students to do what they can to make a reality that theme to which this publica- tion has been dedicated-Christian Peace. In line with their purpose the club holds bi- weekly meetings to hear addresses on the field of international politics and relations between nations. These are given either by members of the club or professors of the college and prominent visitors. The discussions which follow these addresses are usually very lively and serve to broaden ever wider the vision and trends of of thought of those present. The faculty moderator of the club since its in- ception had been the Rev. Jerome Merwick, O. S.B., professor of sociology, but he was forced to relinquish his position owing to other pressing duties. His place, vacated at mid-year, has since been ably filled by the Rev. Boniface Moll, O.S. B., head librarian. The group is represented in the annual conven- tion of the Central Region of the Catholic Student l International Relations Club officers, left to right- Pat Hayes, presidentg Father Boniface, faculty rnoderatorg Luke Judd, secretary-treasurer. International Relations Clul: Peace Federation, which was held this year on March 9, at Mount St. Scholastica College, Atchison. It is at these meetings that the various schools present their views on the world's plight and offer constructive suggestions as to the most practical methods of bringing the peoples of the world to a better understanding and through that, the establishment of Christian harmony. The officers of the club, President Pat Hayes, and Secretary Luke G. Judd, as well as several other members were present for the meetings. One of the round-table discussions was led by Outstanding event of the year for the International Relations Club was the annual regional conference, held this year at Mount St. Scholastica College. Notice the St. Benedict's lads hogging the spotlight in the front row. Page 31

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The Head Thai: Wears The Crown Student Council, left to right-Pat Hayes, vice-presi- dentg jack McCarthy, presidentg Jack Roche, secretary- treasurer. lowed by a few get acquainted dances. Foot- ball season arrived and the Student Council be- gan its biggest job - the support of the athletic program. Pep meetings were held weekly to bolster the school spirit. The first one of the year, before the Emporia State game, was broad- cast by radio station KVAK. Student trips were made to Washburn College at Topeka, Kansas, and Rockhurst College at Kansas City, Missouri, for two of the big football games of the year. From the gridiron, the coun- cil brought its support and pep indoors for the basketball season. Here, too, the members of that body extended their energy in support of the cage squad. During the year tl1e council held a few periodic dances. Then came Amateur Night, with its comedy and 'dramatic' entertainment. This year the intramural influence of the sport pro- gram penetrated Amateur Night, and a plaque was awarded to the class with the best per- formance. The individual acts, again, received monetary awards. Student assemblies, collegiate binding force, were held throughout the year. These activities already mentioned are just a few which the council performs. For this work and innumerable other duties and sacrifices, must be paid a tribute to the Student Council of 1939- 40: John McCarthy, president, Harold Hayes, vice-president, and Jack Roche, secretary-treasur- er. To promote individual class activities and help the Student Council with its many duties, the various classes elected their own officers. William Lechner was elected president of the senior class, and was ably assisted by William Conley, vice- president, and Jack Horton, secretary-treasurer. These men have many duties in a class being pre- pared for graduation. The junior class decreed that Don McKeever was the man to be their leader with the help of John Vaughan, vice-president, and John G. Kelly, secretary-treasurer. joseph Dockery was elected to the presidency of the sophomore class. Robert Martin and Warren McLean were chosen vice- president and secretary-treasurer, respectively. The iirst year men put the full responsibility of their class in the hands of their new president, Wes Miller. Through the co-operation of these men, the Student Council was able to present a varied- and successful program of activities this year. Class Presidents, top left-Freshman Wes Miller, Sophomore Joe Dockery. Bottom, left-Senior Bill Lechner, junior Don McKeever. Page 30

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The B Club . Hayes, and reflections on the conference were given at its close by the Rev. Victor Gellhaus, O.S.B., professor of history. Father Victor, a favorite lecturer who always draws a large crowd, spoke at the opening meeting of the school-year. He analyzed the world conflict up to that point. Less idealistic but still forming one of the most important extra-class organizations of the campus is the letter-men's group, commonly known as the B Club. Membership in this club is gained by earning a letter, either in a major intercol- legiate sport, as student manager, or the mono- gram given to the outstanding intramural athlete of the year. The club, which had its beginning in 1931, has for its purpose the closer blending of the interests and activities of those men who have distinguished themselves in the field of sports in order to create true Benedictine spirit for the promotion of extra-curricular functions. Probably the outstanding effort in the social realm promoted by the B Club is the dance given the evening of the annual Homecoming football battle. This dance, considered as a must on the list of students and alumni alike, was this year a distinct success under the guiding hand of Mel Beilman, Hays, Kansas, senior, who in his office as president, promoted a dance long to be remembered. His energetic promo- tion resulted in the securing of the movie stars Bing Crosby and Spencer Tracy as sponsors. Garnis Doner and his orchestra furnished the music. Beilman's right-hand man throughout the year has been Vince Corbett, Chicago junior, in the post of secretary-treasurer. Under committees appointed from the veteran members of the club initiation of new members, the one sad note in the winning of a monogram, took place this spring. This year I2 initiates suffered the ignominy of stooging, wearing inappropriate athletic equip- ment from morn till night, carrying mock rifies, and the worst of all, undergoing the hell night before their nnal acceptance into the club. The committee of Simon Legree's , Chosen for their renowned ability to exhort unflinching obeisance from the neophytes, was composed of Mike DiFranco, Joe Quigley, joe Weiler, Steve Ger- geni, and Bill Anton. The athletes received honors at the hands of the institution and its friends at the sports ban- quet held in St. Benedict's parish hall on April 9. The feast, presided over by Atchison's mayor, W. B. Hayes, '06, was honored by the presence of Jimmy Conzelman, ex-coach of Washington B Club members gather in front of the gym. Left to right, bottom row-Joe Quigley, Nick Foran, Mel Beilman, Jack Andrews, Leo Mennis, Paul Smith, joe Weiler, Jim Layden, Mike DiFranco, Ed Jaraczewski. Middle row-Jim Tracy, John Vaughan, Bill Conley, Don O'Connor, Frank Lynch, Steve Gergeni, Vince Corbett, John Charters, Tom Quinn, Bill Anton. Top row-Armand Girard, Larry Visnic, Bob McAlpin, Jake Donahue, Fred Winkler, Jim McG1ynn, Irv Comp, Walt McDonald, Max Grazda, Joe Gannon. Right-Senior B clubbers bid Coaches Elser and Peters farewell. Page 32