Bucknell University - L Agenda Yearbook (Lewisburg, PA)

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' T e e vu Steal SuAc tCcf O ' en. 7i ' Since the class of 1950 is the one hundredth graduating class ot Bucknell, the editors of L ' Agenda thought this would be an appropriate time to look back to the early years of our school. The first commencement ceremony, held August 20, 1851, saw seven seniors graduated. There was occasion for oreat excitement and celebration. Each of the graduating seniors (they were all men) gave a long oration. There were speeches by the Acting President, and an address by a member of the faculty on the inauguration of a new president, } loward Malcom. The graduation exercises began early in the morning and ran late into the afternoon. Perhaps the most interesting chronicle of the early years of our uni ersity is the college catalogue. The following are excerpts from that bulletin during the first decade of its publication, accompanied by a cartoon commentary. At that time Bucknell, then the University at Lewisburg, was really four schools; the University, the Male Academy, the Female Institute or Seminary, and the Primary Department. CATALOGUE of the UlTIVERSITY at LewisTDurg, Pennsylvaiiia This Institution is located in the Borough of Lewisburg, on elevated ground, commanding a delightful view of the Susquehanna river, and the surrounding country. The location combines the advantages of both town and country. Lewisburg is celebrated for the salubrity of its air, and high moral character of its inhabitants. The University is situated within half a mile of the Institute. Persons having sons and daughters to educate, thus have the oppor- tunity of sending them where they can enjoy each others society while pursuing their studies. None but near relatives, or friends from a distance are allowed to visit the pupils. Pupils from a distance arc not expected to visit their homes during the current session, unless for reasons satisfactory to the principal. ( Moral Quhure while it cannot be expected that a full moral guardianship can be exercised over College students by any Faculty of Instruction, it will be constantly regarded as an object of the deepest interest, and each professor is required to use his diligence, not only to supress disorders, but to exert a pure and saving influence on the students, without obtruding upon them any sectarian peculiarities. Besides the usual daily service in Chapel, at which every student is required to be present, there is a weekly prayer meeting in College, and a Bible Class for the critical study of the New Testament, taught by the Greek Professor; attendance on which is optional. ' T unctuality Punctuality is required in every department of duty; without it, character for study and scholarship can not be maintained. The loss of a single lesson, or of the evening or morning study hour, may be felt for weeks. An imperfect recitation often leads salubrity of its air, and high moral character

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, % m DR. FLOYD G. BALLENTINE Dr. Ballentine was graduated from Bucknell in the class of 1899. After four years at Harvard, where he received his Master of Arts and Doctor of Phil- osophy degrees, he returned to our campus as an instructor in Latin. From 1904 to 1915 he held the position of Assistant Professor in Latin. In 1915 he was ap- pointed a full Professor in Latin and continued in that capacity until his retire- ment in 1949. In 1936 he was also appointed Professor of Greek. In all, Dr. Ballentine served Bucknell continuously lor 46 years. Not only did he make his mark in the academic field, but he was likewise ac- tive in other phases of Bucknell life. In 1 93 1 he accepted the post of varsity ten- nis coach which he retained until 1946. He served a longer period of service as an athletic coach at Bucknell than did any other individual. His faithful service to Bucknell also included such posts on the campus as editor of the Llniversity catalog for more than 20 years, president of the Bucknell Scholars, and chairman of the editorial committee of the Bucknell University Stu- dies. Dr. Ballentine was also a foundation member of the Mu chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. His literary contributions to well-known academic publications brought prestige to Bucknell and to her students. He edited an edition of Terence ' s play, The Tormentor. He is the author of articles which have appeared in the Har- vard Stiidies in Classical Philology, the Proceedings of the American Philolo- gical Association and The Classical Weekly. Throughout his entire career, he has worked consistently to increase the knowledge and understanding of the students at Bucknell. His long devoted s er- vice to the academic life of the University has left a mark which will not easily be surpassed. Dr. Ballentine truly symbolizes Bucknell as an educational institu- tion in a free society. » ♦ ♦ ♦

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. . more than five miles from the University to a succession of similar ones. One absence prepares the way for another, finally the pupil becomes discouraged, abandons all effort. SlocutiorL All the Classes, above the Primary Departments, have regular exercises in Composition and Elocution, during the year; on Wednes- day Essays are read by the Juniors, and Orations delivered by the Seniors, in presence of the Faculty and Students; and every Saturday forenoon is devoted exclusively to reading select and original Com- positions, to Declamation, and to Vocal Music. Qaution to l arents There is a great hazard, in most cases, in allowing students to have in their possession any considerable sums of money, unless they have been accustomed to it at home. Some person in Lewis- burg should be intrusted with the funds, who shall expend it as required and render exact accounts. Many a student has been ruined at college for want of this precaution. No one should send a pupil who is not prepared to meet the expenses punctually, and thus prevent the contracting of debts. Such a habit abolishes all control of a parent over the expenses and is of itself an unspeakable injury to the youth. The storekeepers and mechanics in town are always solicited not to credit students. (Abstract of (College Laws VI — Hours of Study 1. From the beginning of the first session to the first of April, study hours shall be from 9 to 12 o ' clock in the forenoon, from 2 to 5 in the afternoon, and from 7 to 10 in the evening. During the remainder of the year, from 8 Yz to llYz in the forenoon, from 2 to 5 in the afternoon, and from 8 to 1 in the evening. 2. During these hours, every student is required to apply him- self with diligence to his prescribed studies and pursuits; and such of the time as is not devoted to recitations, he shall remain in his room. 3. At 10 o ' clock each student must be in his room, and lights must be extinguished by lO ' z o ' clock. VII — Devotional Exercises 1. Every student shall attend the daily devotional exercises in the Chapel, and conduct himself with becoming gravity, during the service, and while going to and returning from the same. 2. All students are required to attend public worship punc- tually on Sunday mornings; and such evidence of punctual attend- ance shall be given as the Faculty may require. IX — Deportment 1. No pipe or segar shall be smoked in any of the passages or public rooms, or in or near any of the outbuildings; nor shall any student keep ardent spirits, or intoxicating liquors of any kind, except when prescribed by a physician for medicine, or per- mitted by the Faculty. 2. No student shall attend any theatrical entertainment or useless show in Lewisburg, nor frequent any house or shop, after being forbidden by the President. 3. No student shall carry about with him any secret weapon; such as a dirk or pistol, nor take part in any duel, on pain of expulsion. XXIII — Terms and Vacations 1. During term time no student shall go more than five miles from the University, without permission from the President. mav be felt for weeks delivered by the seniors UK . • ♦ ♦ ♦