Butler University - Carillon / Drift Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

Page 15 text:

It has been pointed out, with regret and pathos, that Butler does not display college spint, — at least of the kind that characterizes our sister small colleges of Indiana. The critic, how- ever, should first inquire the cause, and then study the effect. The cause is evident. A college in a small tow n unifies the students because they can not separate. They must live close together, and must fomi then social ties with one another ; there is nothing else possible, except hermit life. The small town affords little in the way of recreation, and less of culture. The students must find these at the college, and co-operate to secure them. Hanng practically all interests in common they feel closely bound to one another. They become ardent lovers of their Alma Mater because she means literally everything to them. A college like Butler stands not so much in the position of guardian as in that of guide. She does not throw a protecting wing over her students l)ut points out to them the avenues to culture and bids them follow whither they will. She molds their taste and bids them feast to their fill on the fatness in reach. 1 rue, they do not act in concert, nor do they always consciously feel the hand of their college on them. But what is the result ? Is the unity of the student mass an end in itself, to be coveted for its own sake? Is love for one ' s college to take the form of blind adoration, and to be scoffed at if it falls short ? Is this the goal of student life— to be one with my kind, and to worship one ' s Alma Mater ? Let us hope not. The love for one ' s college which springs from an extreme type of college spirit is too often an unreasoning sentiment which refuses to see faults at home, or good in others. The unity of student body too often results from the students being deprived of those ver ' things which, being at our doors, have resulted in preventing th.it unity here. In short, the graduates of Butler have been distinguished by a depth and breadth of culture. We say with confidence that our showing in this regard is equal to that of any of the other Indiana small colleges. Instead of college spirit

Page 14 text:

In 1898 Butler be- came affiliated with the University of Chicago ; But- ler remains indepenclent, but the University of Chicago exercises a supervision of work which practically keeps us at the Chicago standard. Such in brief has been Residence the history of Butler College, so far as dates and the record of conspicuous events can tell, a rather dry and uninteresting one, possibly, if there were no more to say. But justice to our Alma Mater forbids one to stop there. If the history of Butler College has any value to her children, it is because of things which cannot be classified by dates or changes in polity. The value !ics in the character of the ideals that have been kept before the student body, and in the influences for broad culture which have surrounded them. First of all, our College is to be credited with giving a strong impulse to co-education. Northwestern Christian University was one of the first institutions of higher education to admit women, and its stand made it easier for many others to take the radical step. At first a separate Female Course of three years was provided leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science . In 1 869 all distinctions were abolished. Women pursue the same studies and receive the same degrees as men. Our environment has been peculiar in a sense. A small College m a large city is in a different class from a small college in a small town, or a large university in a city, A large per cent of the students live in the city, coming to the college only for classes. Others come on the interurban lines, returning home at night. Their leisure time is spent away from the College, and their personal and social interests are lodged in other quarters. Thus they lose or never gam the feeling of unity with their fellow students. They do not feel themselves integral units of the student mass. They do not catch an esprit du corps. The other students find in the great city multitudinous attractions in music, art, the drama, or other lines. They soon learn to consult their individual tastes, without stopping to inquire what the rest of the students are doing. The college can not bring attractions to the students, for the city affords belter ones. It is not strange if we fail to find an extreme form of college spirit, to which so much praise is given.

Page 16 text:

we have developed cos- mopolitan spirit. Butler students, having widely dif- fused interefts, develop wide Msion and broad sympa- thies. Our students easily become men deferred to for sound judgment and judicial temperament. Butler men are in demand for positions of honor and responsibility. A Butler graduate was lately United States Minister to Austro-Hungary ; one is State Superintendent of Public Instruction ; one is on the Supreme Court Bench of Indiana ; and another is now candidate for Lieutenant-Governor. The list were too long to enumerate the men who have achieved prominence in all lines. And do not let anyone underestimate the love Butler students and alumni feel for her. We do not find here an unreasoning affection, but we do find something better— wholesome and heartfelt respect. Our respect does not find vent in effusive demonstration, but it sinks deep into the heart and becomes gratitude— a gratitude that grows as one grows in wisdom, and becomes at least a true and abiding love. It is not the love of one to a mother, possibly ; it is the love of a man for his bosom friend— for the friend who made him a man. Charles Foster McElroy, ' 04.