Bennett Medical College - Em Dee Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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MEMORABILIA OF THE CLASS OF 1916. ITH unparalleled gratification, we, the junior class of 1916, stand on the eve of our third year, and gazing back o'er the vista of trodden fields refreshens the reminiscences of past days by vividly recalling the pleasant associations with our worthy professors, our schoolmates and classmates, our athletic endeavorments, our social successes, the political campaigns and last but not least, our intellectual attainments that thus far have marked the career of our class a decided success in our dear Alma Mater, Bennett Medical College. That these reminiscences may not be fleeting and transitory, we here present a memoir of our class that gives in a correlated manner a precise and accurate account marking the progress of our class in the sojourn of the past three years, dwelling lightly on minor and in detail on the more im- portant events, so that in after years we may glance o'er these pages and find them a source for refreshing our memories of college days, and in marking the important milestones in the ascent to the higher fertile plains above. Three years ago, the portals of Bennett opened wide beneath its colos- sal spires and turrets to welcome in the first model Freshman class that had ever crossed its threshold. Our number, which consisted of representatives from all quarters of the globe, was gifted by the refining influence of several students of the fairer type. There were men from the frozen North, from the sunny South, the far East and the golden West. Some that had ventured from other climes and lands. The majority, however, consisted of mem- bers from this and nearby states. Each one of us was imbued with the requisite will power, as we had assembled here for a purpose, and we were filled with an ambition that su- perhuman forces alone could deviate from the pathway we had chosen and the profession that we contemplated making our life's work. No matter how dark loomed up the obstacles that obscured the goal and confronted us in our first year's work, we put our shoulders to the wheel and thus far, we have triumphantly conquered. This indominitable spirit not only prevailed in hours of study and research: it also manifested itself in hours devoted to other achievements, social, athletic and political. The first few days were spent in making our acquaintances with the va- rious departments. The anatomical department proved the most impressive as experienced through the optic and olfactory nerves, It was here that later we spent considerable time under the impressive lecturer and capable artist, Dr. Rankin, who also conducted the histological department. A keen interest was likewise displayed in the various other departments: for remem- ber, had we not the silver-voiced orator of the physiological department, Dr. l-lorstmang the wizard of organic and inorganic chemistry, Dr. Huber: that genial smile and emphatic, i'You've got to get it, Materia Medica man, Dr. Steiner. Here also might be mentioned that long list of professional assist- ants whose kindly aid was ever at our call, but by recalling a few, as Dr. Mc- Clurg, Dr. lVlcClane and Dr. Elliot, recalls all the rest that we encountered in our first year's work. Our acquaintance with the Sophomore class took place a few days later. Although our modesty would refrain, we must admit that we were defeated on account of the ambuscade and savage tactics employed by our antagonists in trapping us individually. We were not surprised that they should cover our fair countenances with the color symbolic of Springtime, but were astonished at the primeval instinct which seemed as yet so predom- 127

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- WM inant in the class that considered themselves superior to us. We have since forgiven them for this formal introduction as we realized that at that period they were Honly Sophomoresf' After the war clouds had subsided, we were not long in calling a class meeting, for we realized that in union there was strength. The following class officers were elected: C. E. Calloway, presidentg R. A. Hennessy, vice-president: R. M. Kelly, secretary, N. V. Graves, treasurer, H. Kruse and A. W. Burke as sergeant-at-arms. Being thus permanently organized and having a very capable set of officers, we were now e pluribus unum. Our class soon became the most popular in school, but more than all, gained recognition as a class possessing qualities that characterized us as a model class, a distinction we have retained to the present day. l Our social affairs during this year were a tremendous success. The big event that rounded up the social activities of our class was the reception ball tendered the faculty and entire student body in compliment to the out- going Seniors. This unique function took place in the beautiful Louis XVI ballroom of the Sherman Hotel, March 28, l9l3. It was voted by all as the biggest and most pleasant social event ever given by a Freshman class, if not by the school. Before we were aware of it, the Freshmen finals were dueg social and athletic activities were forgotten. Every spare moment was utilized in re- viewing the year's course, and we were well rewarded by the high marks obtained. Vacation days were now at hand. We were all glad to receive a little recreation, but it was with reluctance that We departed from our jolly friends and from the scenes of our happy Freshman days. A few Summer months of recreation, and we found ourselves again at old Bennett. Our number had considerably increased by the addition of new members from other colleges and those that had taken a year's rest af- ter their Freshman year. On account of the experience gained in our first year, we were not long in calling a class meeting and electing the following officers: R. H. George, president: M. W. K. Byrne, vice-president: H. C. Methany, secretaryg C. O. Highsmith, treasurer, Dr. A. B. Rankin, as our honorary president. After the election of our class officers, it was our duty to properly initi- ate our new arrivals. The customary practice of hazing the Freshman class was sharply censured by our dean, who appealed to our honor and implored us not to deface our fair record with deeds of barbarism as usually inflicted upon the incoming class. A more rational method was proposed, which was warmly sophisticated defeat them, tion. Being endorsed by Father Spaulding. Namely, to invite the un- new beginners out to a free-for-all game of football and utterly so as to curb their unsatiated importance around the institu- a broad-minded class, and realizing that perhaps the old cus- tomary method could be substantiated by a more rational one in making the Freshmen realize their place in a college, we acted accordingly, and on the following Saturday invited them out to a free-for-all football game. lt must pain the Freshmen yet to recall how utterly they were defeated, and we refrain from further humiliation by withholding the score. The depressed spirit of the class was evident for a week, after which they assumed so haughty a dispostion and became so decorous in their manner that we were greatly perplexed as what to do with this state of af- fairs. Our patience as well as that of others, was finally exhausted, as con- ditions were daily growing worse, so that we decided to readopt the old method which had produced the desired effect in previous years-initiate the Freshmen in ye olden style so that they might realize their insignificance. 128