Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

Page 13 text:

THE NORMAL OFFERING 7 - I of E Q- ffl- F' X ' rw A -' c Ml f lair r k ill 'lf - '- 'A ft Ql gl 'f' fT' if iff . I ' x fi lfi. --.ll .,.. DITORIALS. v ii illitlulllz g Q IIIIIIIIHL5' HE introduction of an editorial department in a year book is possibly somewhat of a departure from the usual regime. The reason for the experiment is this :--As this magazine has to fulfill the mission of both year book and monthly, being, in fact, the only school organ of Normal, the characteristics of both styles should be included. Thus a series of articles on general matters of interest, pertaining to the school, has been deemed not out of place here.. IN looking over the work of the school, one cannot help being impressed with the fact that the lack of a good gymnastic course for the young men exists in the curriculum. As it now stands, the gentlemen gain a few study hours while the ladies are engaged in their physical culture work. No man in the school, we think, would begrudge giving these up if by doing so systematic work in the gymnasium was substituted. The OFFERING hopes that the near future may remedy this unfortunate condition of affairs. THE editorial department would certainly be incomplete without some brief comment of Normal Athletics. We may surely boast of a football team that did much better than its immediate predecessor, while developing at the same time a strong nucleus for next season. In baseball, our representatives-on the dia- mond upheld Normal's reputation satisfactorily. The team made a record of continuous improvement from the beginning-a fact in itself of no small impor- tance. It was a season of close contests, at least half of the games being won or lost by a margin of two or three runs-some indeed by one only. As to bas- ket ball, no one can deny that the fight for the tournament championship con- tained all the necessary excitement and determined playing. ' CNE thing that is of interest to the outside friends of the school, and of es- pecial value to the present students, is the action that Normal has taken this last year in regard to electives. The four-year students may now, in the last two years, elect at least 2O hours work. As a result, a relatively longer time is spent on each subject, and there is concentration of effort and compactness in course, all of which are advantages to the student, and marks of progress charac- teristic of modern spirit.

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Ufferbz 19' cyiaflf Photo by King. - I ' MR. HEALD MR. SMITH MR. WALTER MR. LEONARD MR. NORTHCOTT MISS WOY MISS WATERMAN MISS PACKARD MISS MACDONALD NAHUM LEONARD, SCC. B., I Edz'i0r-z'n-Chzqf WILLIAM E. SMITH, SCC. B., . . Bzzszbzess Manager JOHN W. NORTHCOTT, Se-C. A. ,.... Assf. BZLSZ'7Z6S5 Mafzager ASSOCIATE EDITORS. SARAH A. PACKARD, Sec. C. BESSIE E. WATERMAN, Sec. D. CHARLES W. WALTER, SCC. A. LAURA E. MACDONALD, Seniors. NANCY E. WOY, Juniors. ARTHUR A. HEALD, Specials. Wlusirators. J. A. CUSHMAN, ,OI. A E. L.. CURRAN, IOI. S. W. CUSHING, ,O2. C. P. SAVERY, 'O2. I MISS A. B. BENSON, ,OI. MISS ALICE BURKE, IO2. I

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8 THE NORMAL OFFERING OUR Principal has, unfortunately, been interrupted in his work several times during the present school year by spells of sickness. The student body has much regretted these lapses in his customary vigor, and the hope is expressed that a summer's rest and recreation may place him once more in good health. IT IS a fact that goes without saying that no one can be a student a year at B. N. S. without feeling that the ruling motive prominent in the hearts and minds of the Faculty are those that pertain to the well-fare and comfort of the students. For example, there has been established one thing of special interest to the student-that is, theblocal post office. Some are aware that Bridgewater has taken the same stand in this matter as several of the colleges of New Eng- land. Aside from that, however, it is a decided improvement. The old method was not only unreliable, but decidedly inconvenient and incomplete. At present, every student has a combination lock box. A postmaster is also appointed, with regular hours and all the equipment, and service need only to be used to be ap- preciated. If we understand correctly, this is a feature introduced and supported by our respected principal, and we feel sure that he has the grateful appreciation of the student body for the good work. THE Normal Club is to be congratulated on another successful year. The climax of this season's enterprise was the entertainment given by the Specials. After this performance, the idea of a Faculty meeting should be clear in our minds. Let the good work continue g and may next year prove the Club to be as virile as ever. THE OFFERING cannot help feeling that anyone who will look over the past work, will ind the following facts provenf First, that an interested, and there- fore willing, vigorous study of any one group of subjects adapted to ones ability, is greatly to be preferred to an unwilling, half-hearted, and therefore unintelli- gent following of a combination of memory. Second, that established customs, popular teachers, and suitable equipment may, do and should exert a certain influence, but some characteristic aptness on the part of the student, and the possession of a definite purpose, the recognition of an opportunity for accom- plishment of coveted results are farmore determining factors. Third, that what Bridgewater Normal stands for today is liberal culture. What is sought is not the possession of a large number of heterogeneous facts, but the training that comes from systematic, continuous, intelligently directed study, and the ability to use this study as an instrument of culture. ' THE OFFI-?.RINGrfCClS that some explanation should be given for the meagre Alumni column this year. While the management sent out nearly four hundred pamphlets to the recent graduates, the Alumni did not respond with their cus- tomary expedition. The pamphlets were sent out considerably earlier than last year, with the very purpose of gainingitime. We regret the incompleteness of this department, but cannot, under the circumstances, accept responsibility for its Condition. F