Boston College - Sub Turri Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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SfAitl JtJI liOf JU IIOR 3T«ov.e ' . When the day set for the opening of school arrived, University Heights presented a changed appearance. Thus it was that at the Heights there vpas found, not the former order and curriculum, but in their place, we saw the establishments of a branch of the S. A. T. C, the erection of several barracks and a mess hall, the rapid change into a state of military regime, all charac- teristic of the country ' s new business. An attempt to even ascertain the whereabouts of all of our former associates would have involved a complete circle of the globe. The summer months had brought with them increased patriotic zeal, incapable of restraint, which had sent our mates to the various l3ranches of service. A few men there were who formed the Junior class, men who were declared unable to engage in military service and whose collegiate course was being continued under the direction of Reverend Michael Hill, S. J. In the solitude of St. Mary ' s library, the principles of philosophy were industriously pursued by these dozen or more men while the bustle around the Administra- tion building and the frequent blare of the trumpet marked the rapidity with which some 800 men were transformed into well-ordered and trim companies under the leadership of Col. John S. Parke, U. S. A. (R.). Further progress in the training of our soldiery was checked by the joyful celebration of Armistice Day and the rush of the discharged men to resume their class work swelled the membership of the college to a fairly high degree. Father Hill still retained guidance over his chosen few Avho had recently moved to the Junior A class room and had heralded their transfer by a most commend- able Circle, in which they displayed their knowledge of philosophy in the presence of the Reverend Rector and Dean. All returning students were assigned to Junior B. whose professor was Father McCluskey, aud the capacity of the room, with its galleiw seats, soon was overtaxed, so that it became necessary to offer a generous contribution of students to Junior A.

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1920 SUB T U R R I 1920 the steady increase of vacancies throughout all classrooms proved the mettle of those who went forth, some never to return, but all destined to bring honor to themselves and to their school. Under the auspices of the newly-formed. Dramatic club, and directed by Reverend Father Murphy, S. J., the famous Shakesperian comedy, Henry IV, was presented on two successive evenings, and on both occasions merited applause. No small measure of credit was due to Ed. Finnegan, whose inter- pretation of King Henry we recall as an able exhibition of dramatic talent. A glance at the final standing of the class hockey teams shows the laurels safely in our possession. Of all interclass events, this series of games proved to be the most successful. The B. A. A. Games found us again opposing our old rival, Holy Cross, in the relay event, and although a defeat was suffered, it surel.y was an honorable one, as the race was the fastest one of the entire evening. Two well-known members of our faculty were now boasting of their acceptance as Army Chaplains, our vice-president. Rev. Fr. Michael Jessuj), S. J., and Fr. O ' Brien, one of our Freshman Professors. Father Jessup saw service in Camp Lee, Virginia, whereas Father O ' Brien was destined for more active service abroad with the now famous 5th Marines. The time for the consideration and examination of our spiritual welfare arrived, and assisted by the wise counsel of Fr. Christopher Sullivan, S. J., we made a most successful retreat, then went forth to enjoy the Easter holidays. Prohibition was announced as the subject for discussion at the prize debate of the Marquette, and for many weeks we watched the application with wnich the question was studied by Tom McNamara, Joe Smith, Tom Scanlon and Ed Finnegan, members of our class, who were to compete in the contest. As usual, the debate was a close one, and again Sophomore gained fame, when Tom McNamara stepped up to accept the medal and all the glory accorded the worthy winner. The Oratorical Contest found our class well represented in the persons of Dick McShane, Frank DeCelles and Tom McShane. The subject, The New Dark Ages, ' ' prepared and ably delivered by DeCelles, proved to be the best of the evening and won for him the coveted prize, a fifty dollar Liberty Bond. A general canvass of the school netted the sijlendid sum of five hundred dollars, which was presented to the Rector in the form of a Liberty Bond on the last day of our final exams, by the president of Senior, Section E. of Sopho- more, not being satisfied with such an offering, set to work and in a generous spirit added a fifty dollar Bond to the contribution of the college. At the graduation of the depleted ' 18 class, the condition of the times was vividly shown. The uniforms of the Army and Navy came forward to receive their degrees, and many were the absentees who had left their studies to take up the work of defending Uncle Sam ' s cause. The future was most uncertain and the partings of this June were characterized by a somewhat more serious spirit than ever before.

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19 2 SUB T U R R I 1920 With order finally established -we soon settled down for steady work and besides our two professors already named we held our daily classes with these men in the folloAving subjects: Father Treacy, Evidence of Religion and Journalism; Mr. Delaney, Physics, and Mr. Creeden, S. J., Political Economy and War Aims. With the revival of the old spirit, elections were held and to Tom Scanlon went the office of President, Tom McNamara was chosen vice-president and James Robert Brawley was selected as secretary-treasurer. A rather tardy but most impressive formal introduction was soon granted to the Freshmen. At first they seemed disinclined to peacably accept the dis- tinguished introduction, but their violent refusal was quickly met by counter action on the part of their superior classmen and the Juniors ren- dered able assistance in quelling the quasi-objection of the youngsters. With the S. A. T. C. had come the formation of the College Band, and, strange to state, the dissolution of the former seemed to improve the latter. Together with the Glee Club it had presented many concerts in various parts of the State and the climax of its activities was announced in the form of a monster concert, which was held in Jordan Hall on the evenings of February 25th and 26th. It was then that the value of Mr. Parson ' s labors was demon- strated, and we also have to thank Tom Scanlon, Jim Morrissey and Bob Brawley for their successful efforts in making that Musicale a complete hit. Towards the end of February we held our Junior Smoker and presented an evening of entertainment hard to equal. Addresses by our Reverend Rector and Reverend Father Treacy, S. J., set forth some good food for thought, and narrations of war experiences by Lieutenants Jack Fleming and Jack Gillespie, both of the class of ' 15, provided interesting topics. The lighter side was well cared for by talent of our own class, assisted by several professional entertainers. At our annual Retreat wo were most fortunate in having Reverend Father Martin J. Scott,- S. J., as the director, a man whose extensive experience enabled him to supply us with a vivid and interesting series of sermons. Bill O ' Halloran and Tom McNamara of our class were chosen for the Intercollegiate Debating Team. With Billie Bond at short, Eddie Boyce on the pitching staff and Demo Dempsey in the outer-garden, Ave offered a trio of consistent and heady baseball players to coach Beef Gildea ' s splendid team. Dick McShane was still after medals and, sighting a chance to pick another, he entered the Fulton Prize Debate. The result of his work is widely known — suffice it to say that Dick satisfied his desire for other medals. At the Class Day festivities we captured the prize for the best class sketph. The attractive and hilarious manner in which our Prohibition comedy was carried out cannot tolerate description ; its worth and meaning could only be acquired by witnessing it. With the last exam over, the dreaded oral in philosophy, we took our leave, departing with a spirit tinged with the feeling of Senior.