Coe College - Acorn Yearbook (Cedar Rapids, IA)

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THE PRESIDENT HARRY MOREHOUSE GAGE i 1 1 Page 23

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eeisse rf o? A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT There are always many pictures in the ACORN. Together they constitute a picture of the college. If that picture is well composed it is informing. Eye-Gate admits much knowledge. In this case the knowledge is especially helpful because it is self- knowledge. It is to be hoped, therefore, that we have not posed too much in pre- paring to present ourselves to the public and that this book is a fair representation of Coe. A straight and steady look at ourselves helps us to become what we want to be. So I propose certain questions for us to ask ourselves as we look at our picture. Is there a proper margin? Is college life crowded? Is it over-organized? ls it a jam? Do you have plenty of room? Has a pressure of events robbed you of a sense of freedom? Do you have any leisure? If so, what do you do with it? Every good picture has some unoccupied room-a margin. Does the picture have balance? Do you? Who is most fortunate? The one who is everywhere in the picture? The one who is nowhere? Or the one who appears here and there at well selected places? In looking at the college as a whole do you find that the weight of your interest is all on one side? If so, life is out of balance. It lacks poise. Does the picture have perspective? To what point do all of the elements of the picture lead? Do all of the activities of the college run out in lines of influence to meet at some one point? Do you have any interests which are beside the point? Any distractions? Are all of the minor interests so subordinated and all of the major interests so co-ordinated that they truly lead to the one big end of college life? That end is yourself. Can you see in the book your dream of yourself? And do all the interests of your life help you to become your own true self, that not-yet self of which you dream? Should any details be eliminated from this picture? Should any be added? And what about a name for this picture of life in Coe? flmericfm Youth. Does that name fit the picture? What is the meaning of all this business of the campus? Surely its only valid meaning is American Youth in top form and in line spirit in every sort of wholesome expression of life. To all present and prospective students in Coe, I send greetings and the wish that you may understand and properly answer the questions I have asked. Very sincerely yours, H. M. Gaoiz. i . ' l I 6 J' AC01 N gl fx Kill 'ti Q -I f-xi ' I fd T-V A 59 1 -E'

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EU EFT fir 1- if 9 Q . W THE DEAN OF MEN What's the Use is a fundamental question. Man may well ask it about himself and all he does. It should be asked concerning every institution. The inquiry has recently been made regarding a college education and unless a satisfactory answer can be given, one that appeals to the sound judgment of its supporters as well as satisfies those who are at work at the job, the college is really in a bad way. Everything in connection with the College as well as every individual in it must, in the last analysis, at least stand this utilitarian test. A Dean of Men . . . VVhat's the Use ? His interest is to see that the regulations of the institution are enforced as far as the men are concerned. Sometimes he wishes there were no regulations. So do the men. I-Ie would like to say to every man, Do as you have a mind to do. But this is manifestly impossible for not every man is right minded. He insists that certain scholastic standards be attained and maintained. Sometimes he is conscious that these standards have become a sort of fetish. The students' welfare is apt to be lost sight of in our interest in the mechanism of college administration. He must be primarily and genuinely interested in the man. If that is not Z1 primary interest, and all other interests, regulations, scholastic standards, the college itself, secondary, he might as well quit his job. Concerning a man he is inclined to ask three pertinent questions, What was he, What is he, What may he become. Everything pertaining to an answer to the last question the Dean of Men considers his job. IIARRY KREMERS. Z? l z'l ,R CX IL K1 Page 24 X ES