Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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THE NORMAL OFFERING IQ Mrs. Palmer's address in presenting the diplomas has espe- cial interest in retrospect now that we know her voice will be heard here no more. Her thought was an illustration of what Mr. Martin had said of the love of service. The graduates were to go forth as servants as Well as leaders. Those who fill the largest place in the world are those who are most truly and com- pletely the servants of others. This truth was emphasized con- cerning King Edward Whose coronation was expected that week, while the life of President Roosevelt furnished another conspic- uous instance. s Diplomas and certificates were given to about a hundred graduates and special students, including a few who finished their course in january. The second annual ivy-planting took place in the afternoon, with an oration, the reading of a history and of a poem, the burial of the records, and a speech in acceptance of the trust on the part of the undergraduates. The public exercises of the day were completed by the cus- tomary social gathering in the evening. 2,2 Ss 6' is W .ll xx, . x5 0 SSs..e4f'f

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Grabuation Day, 1902. HE classes of IQO2 were favored with as beautiful a 1 day for graduation as they could have wished. The ,y ,, school hall was filled by a large and interested au- Vi'l dience. After devotional exercises and the render- H H ing of a song Union and Liberty by the school, the principal address was given by Mr. George H. Martin, for many years first assistant in this school, now one of the Super- visors of Schools in Boston. 1 Mr. Martin took as his subject The Higher Functions of a Course of Study. He showed how the course now followed in the public schools had grown from the three R's of Colonial days, subject by subject, each addition being made by legislation in response to a public demand. Three purposes of a course of studies are to impart knowledge, to discipline, involving a grad- ual growth in exactness, thoroughness and self-control, and to develop tastes and desires , love of nature, love of art, and love of good books should be encouraged. Beyond all these pur- poses should be the love of service, no man lives to himself alone, the deeds of great men have been examples for the gen- erations which follow. Institutions come and go but man re- mains. Mr. Cushing of the four-year class presented to the school the picture which the graduating classes had chosen as their gift , Mr. Boyden replied in acceptance. Mr. Boyden spoke to the graduates upon The Teacher's Opportunities, as these opportunities spring out of the relations which the teacher holds to his pupils. His personal habits, his manner of speech, attract or repel, are a help or a hindrance to the formation of good habits on their part, his thinking and his tastes have influence in forming them, his moral nature im- presses itself upon them, his spirit is imbibed by them, the greatest opportunity comes from the unconscious influence of his inner life. The teacher has greater opportunity than any- one else, except the parent, to shape the destiny of individuals, society, the nation and the race.

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farewell to mormal. Our life atdear Normal is now almost past. We've come to the day that we've worked for, at last. Yet now as we're leaving our dear Normal hall We wish to return thanks to one and to all. We've tried to be faithful in work and in play, To learn some new lesson on each golden day, For not to be ministered unto are We, But all unto others would ministers he. Now iirst to the Bay State, so true and so strong, Our grateful affection dothrightly belong. We thank our dear teachers for what they have done To help us prepare for the race we're to run. We cannot forget them, tho' far we may roam, And always and ever will this be our home. And now as we're leaving, hovv tender each heart - With memories of Normal, from which we must part. As now we go forth to our mission in life, Armed with courage and purpose to help in the strife Let us each carry with us the note of the school, Determined to make it our own golden rule. Not for self but for others our motto shall read, That in the true spirit of love we may lead 5 For not to be ministered unto are we, But all unto others should ministers be.