Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

Page 22 text:

18 NORMAL OFFERING Eivnnial, 1914. HE biennial convention of the Bridgewater Normal Association was held on Saturday, June 13, '15. About four hundred graduates came back to visit their Alma Mater once more. At ten o'clock all the classes met in the Assembly Hall and then passed to the various rooms for their separate reunions. The business meeting was presided over by Alfred Bunker, vice-pres- ident of the Association. The following officers were elected: President, Dr. Albert E. Winship, vice-presidents, Robert L. O'Brien, Dr. C. Irving Fisher, Mrs. Clara B. Beatley, Julius H. Tuttle, Mrs. Clara T. Guild, Barrett B. Russell, secretary, Miss Flora M. Stuart, treasurer, Charles P. Sinnott. At twelve o'clock dinner was served in the gymnasium, the under- graduates serving as waitresses. The after-dinner speakers were Arthur C. Boyden, representing the Normal School, Miss Sarah Louise Arnold, representing the Board of Education, Reverend Sarah A. Dixon, Miss Emily C. Fisher, Mrs. Clara B. Beatley, Miss Mary H. Leonard, and Mrs. Clara T. Guild. Miss Emily C. Fisher, in speaking of the teacher's response to the needs of the community, quoted Goethe's statement that no one could consider his life complete until he had written a poem and built a house, in other words, until he had really done creative work. She urged the fact that the housing question is the largest national problem before the United States at the present time, and to the teacher is permitted a special lead- ership in the solution of this problem, because she knows this work better than any other community worker. Mrs. Clara B. Beatley was called upon to tell what Bridgewater has done for the home. She declared that the fathers and mothers who have been trained for teaching at Bridgewater have found all that they have gained in the way of education a most valuable asset in the home. She spoke especially of the high ideals of health, the systematic training of the mind, the indispensable qualities of patience, courage, and self- control which have ever pervaded the Bridgewater teaching, making it contribute equally to the highest good of the world through schools and homes built upon sure foundations. Miss Mary H. Leonard, asked to speak as a poet, read several poems which she had composed in honor of various celebrations at the school. These included those verses which she wrote for the dedication of the en- larged school-house in 1872, her verses in memory of Miss Woodward

Page 21 text:

NORMAL OFFERING 17 C6n111111211r21112111 mPPk, 1914. ZHrihz1g, 311112 12. Faculty Reception. Smiurhag, 3111119 13. Biennial Convention, 10 A. M. Alumni Baseball Game 3 . 30 P. M. Svunhag, 3111112 14. Baccalaureate Address, by Principal Boyden. !J1Hn11h11g, 3111119 15. Model School Graduation. FIIIPEDEIH, 511112 113. Graduation Exercises, 10.00 A. M., Address by Dr. Charles A. Prosser. Presentation of Diplomas by William Orr, Deputy Commission- er. Ivy and Class Day Exercises, 2.00 P. M. Reception by Advanced Classes, 4.00 P. M. Graduates' Reception, 8.00 P. M.

Page 23 text:

NORMAL OFFERING 19 and of Mrs. Isabella W. C. Boyden, given at the Alumni Meetings of 1888 and 1896, and a sonnet which she composed in honor of Mr. Boyden's twenty-five years of service as Principal of the Normal School. She closed her record by reading the verses which she composed for the Al- umni Meeting of the year 1880. r Mrs. Clara T. Guild agreed that one who did not know Bridgewater might well ask why a school which prepares for the specific profession of teaching is represented to-day, not only by teachers and educators but also by the business man and women, the home-maker, the preacher and the poet, the scientist and the journalist, and by those of many other call- ings She believes the answer to this lies in the emphasis that Mr. Boyden places on permanent values. It is this which has extended Bridgewater's influence throughout the country. The influence is a strong one. The responsibility that goes with it pledges every son and daughter to great- est endeavor, and whether one teaches in the schoolroom or in the pulpit, by poem or by prose, the call is always one--the call to service. It was impossible to obtain any account of the interesting speeches given by Miss Sarah Louise Arnold and Reverend Sarah H. Dixon. Ellarultg Qwrvptinn. When, as Freshmen, the Seniors told us about the different events of the year, they always ended with something like this: Then of course there is Faculty Reception-but that is just for graduates. Faculty Reception? What would ours be like, we wondered? But when at last the evening of the class of 1914's reception came, with what mingled feelings of joy and sorrow did we meet our teachers at Groveside! Joy was ours because at last we were ready to go out and iight-to win our place among our fellow men. But we were sorry when we realized that we were to go out from the direction and help of our de- voted teachers. The evening was delightful, and the oak-hung library was a fitting background for the long line of smiling men and women ready to greet us with a hearty handshake. But these are mere details-what we felt and enjoyed most was that spirit of interest in each individual and the desire that each one should Win out, which has always characterized the Faculty of our Alma Mater. E. F. Y. '14,