Brandeis University - Yearbook (Waltham, MA)

Page 39 text:

dv ,X

Page 38 text:

Snrprrme Qin-uri nf the Qigxriish Staten cnhussssiior f ., K l V' VVIV IVVV , A B' ol' THE CHIEF JUSTICE 1 Z To the Members of the Class of 1958: A It is now ten years since the founding of your University and a good time not only to review its' growth and accomplishments but also to recall the philosophyfof Louis Brandeis whose courage and convictions have guided you-f and your teachers during this eventful period. I know that this is an important milestone for you and share your enthusiasm and confidence in your future. As you leave school life will, of necessity, become more complex and you will find that too often principles give way to expediency, loyalty to self-interest and teamwork to individual play. Whatever may be the fcase, it will not mean that your present ideals are unsound. .lt will only mean that you must strive the more to hold to those ideals. I hope you will always keep mind the ,tremendous faith which inspired Justice Brandeis to a Elifetime dedicated to making democracy work. Not many of you will spend your lives in public service, but all of you should remember that nextlto your homes and churches, government will touch Qyour lives more intimately than anything else. Your government will be your responsibility. I know you will find it, as Justice Brandeis did, an exciting and rewarding business if carried on with enthusiasm and understanding I wish for you continued success and hope that you will carry with 'you not only the memory of wonderful friendships but the habit of unbiased inquiry in the pursuit of truth which was so characteristic of the man for whom your University is named. Aiwa

Page 40 text:

Generol Eclucofion S Those of us who attended the first meeting of General Education S in Sep- tember were somewhat apprehensive. We feared that the move from the com- pletely informal, smoke-filled Castle lounge to the more formal and elegant Slosberg Auditorium would change the atmosphere of a course which we had eagerly anticipated. Fortunately, the change in locale did not alter what had been considered in the past the spirit of General Education S. In former years, the course had been rather loosely organized, lacking con- crete means of evaluating the benefit which each student derived from the speakers. The most obvious innovation for the class of 1958 was the assignment of papers. Some criticism has been raised that the papers required merely 'rou- tine research' rather than 'creative thinking' In the final analysis, however, the choice was made according to the individual student. There was a change in our general attitude to the course. Going to a General Education lecture was no longer a way of spending a relaxing Thursday evening. Instead, there appeared notebooks, pencils, and the intent atmosphere of the classroom. The purpose of the newly inaugurated student panel was to provide an in- telligent opening to the question period. More than that, however, it gave the student panelist the opportunity of personally meeting disinguished individuals in the intimate atmosphere of an informal dinner. This course will be directed toward giving the student some insight into the nature of decision making, and helping him to formulate standards and values for a productive life after leaving college. Each man whom we have met at 'General Education S has made some signifi- cant contribution to humanity. Some of these men, however, although worthy of our respect because of their achievements, have been unable to communicate their greatness to us. Perhaps it is not fair to ask a speaker to bare his innermost soul to an audience of strangers. Some question the ability of a man to help us formulate standards by self-revelation within a strict time limit. Perhaps, also, the individual does not have the desire to reveal himself. That person is certainly within our experience at General Education S. Yet, there re- mains the other speaker, the one who has stimulated our thought and helped us to crystallize our own philosophies of life. We look to these men for the fulfill- ment of the goals of General Education S. ,1 's f, s .7 ng ,!'1 ' 1' 'W-' ' i A . 39