Coker College - Milestone Yearbook (Hartsville, SC)

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Teachers are those who instruct; those who lecture on a subject previously mastered; those who test us on this subject only to become frustrated because we haven’t mastered it; those individuals who inhabit classrooms and the intellectual parts of our minds. Yet we would not isolate our teachers in the classroom as instructors in books. They take their place in our yearbook because they are also our instructors in life. A joy in teaching, patience, understanding, wisdom, friendship—their materials; Coker College campus, the world—their classroom. Each brings his own contribution to this classroom of life. Their talents are ours to accept or reject as we will) Many are the rewards for the student who knows his teacher outside as well as inside the classroom! We had heard a lot about college professors before we came to Coker that first year as green little freshmen. Perhaps some of us were prepared for the worst as we went for our first reg- istration. But right away we sensed the friendship extended to us. We had a hint of their personal interest in each of us that was to grow during our years at Coker. College classes were our next major undertaking. Although we liked some courses better than others, we always had a friend behind the desk to be patient with our shortcomings and to help us over the rough spots. There was always time out for an occasional joke and a laugh in class. Sometimes we hoped to get out of some work by getting off the subject. These moments were not as leisurely as we thought, however, for from these interesting “sidetracks” we developed a sound philosophy of life. As the months passed, extra-curricular activities found a big place in our college life. In the life of our teachers, too, these events were important as they gave their time to sponsor classes and organizations. Just how many hours did they spend in the auditorium directing plays and skits? How many hours did it take to get the various publications off to press? How many hours were spent getting public performances of all types —May Day, recitals, lectures, etc——ready for the maximum pleasure of both the students and the college guests? And who but our teachers were our most faithful cheerleaders at athletic events? FIRST ROW: V. Smith, A. Smith, Floyd, Erwin, Grannis, Newell, Haynes, Matthews, Moody, Vaughn, Kelly. SECOND ROW: Mills, Farhner, Ingram, Keuhner, J. Saunders, McClimon, Walker, J. Smith, Singletary, Colbert, J. Reynolds. THIRD ROW: Brumbaugh, Davidson, E. Reynolds, Caldwell, Vail, Schall, C. Sisson. Ee bre OS ee er a ara Rie’ Se No aE Ise S aS Fence atone SBS: es ee Oe

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| E i | ! } 14 Miss Roberta McKinnon, Librarian; Mrs. H. A. C. Walker, Assistant Librarian. This would seem enough in the line of duty for a dean, but there are many extra duties. For instance, Miss Mills works behind the scenes when we go to Columbia to a play or to the ballet. She helps arrange the accommodations for the high school weekend guests in such a way as to minimize our inconvenience. Seeing that the White House is open for our dates and that free meal tickets are avail- able on “big” weekends are some of those time-consuming extra services that make Miss Mills not only our dean, but our friend. Bills, bills, bills—we think our only association with the Business Office is the day we stand before Mrs. Caldwell’s desk to pay our tuition. But the collection of bills is only one of the functions of this office directly affecting our college life. Our spending money is safe in the Student Bank. Our letters and packages are delivered to us by the Campus Post Office. The Book Room keeps school supplies for us and the Canteen keeps the hunger pangs away between meals. Mrs. Rickey Smith, Secretary; Mr. Sterling Smith, Director of Public Relations; Miss Wil- helmina Kirkland, Assistant Director of Public Relations. The Business Office is responsible for every part of our physical plant and the employees who keep every part of it in order—from our attractive class-rooms and modern equipment to our comfortable dormitory rooms, the good food from our kit- chen, and the campus laundry. Someone must do all purchasing for the college, pay wages and salaries, make appropriations for organizations, handle scholarship payments, order caps and gowns for the seniors—these become some of the endless duties of Mr. Kelley and Mrs. Caldwell. The Business Office is a vital part of Coker College. The library plays an important part in the life of our col- lege. It contributes much in supplementing our studies and at- tending to our cultural ills with the finest in art, music, and literature. Because we so often frequent its rooms, because we consider it a common part of our school day, we can easily over- look the endless unseen duties the library requires of the library staff. How did all those books get on the shelves in the first place? First, Miss McKinnon and Mrs. Walker must carefully consider the books to be ordered—books that we will enjoy and find useful. When the books arrive they are checked page by page to insure their good condition. They must be cataloged, plates placed on the side covers, lettering printed on the bind- ing, the bindings shellacked, and the books rechecked. Only after this involved process are they ready to be placed on the shelves. Our librarians give the same careful attention to the slide and record collections and to the rental pictures. We all enjoy working in a library with attractive book dis- plays, bulletin boards, and flower arrangements—extras which consume a great amount of the library staff’s time. The annual Literary Festival and the Christmas Book Tea are other projects that involve long hours of planning and work. Our library contributes much to the college community as well as to Coker through these extra-curricular activities. We are proud of this, our expanding and up-to-date library. Busy as they are, Miss McKinnon and Mrs. Walker are always ready to help us find a book, to suggest material for a term paper, and to take a personal interest in each of us. As incoming freshmen we knew that we already had friends on campus—those in the Public Relations Office. A representa- tive had visited us in our high schools and in our homes, gladly answering our questions about college in general and Coker in particular. The Office promptly replied to our letter requesting information. On High School Weekends, the Public Relations Office became a touring agency, showing us the points of in- terest on camp us. It made certain that we had fun, and at the same time revealed the true spirit of Coker to us. When we arrived at Coker for the first fall session, we discovered that we had formed a lasting friendship, for ours is a Public Relations Office with an inward look. Taking an active interest in our activities, Mr. Smith, Miss Kirkland, and Mrs. Smith listen to our problems and our complaints, and take polls on campus to determine what improvements are needed. All advertising is handled by this office. It publicizes our school activities and our achievements. Well might we be proud of the Public. Relations Office—our representative as individuals and as a group to the general public.

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' 16 TOP: Tired, Dr. Kuehner? CENTER, left: Dr. Dav- idson has a conference with one of her majors. CENTER, right: Mr. Rey- nolds is busily engaged in photo copy work both for his and for Civ. classes. BOTTOM: Youd better hurry, Miss Floyd, or your team wont win! We can’t overlook their service on Joint Council and other committees to give us those special privileges, a good library, interesting chapel programs, a literary festival and other special conferences. Nevertheless, we still can’t claim them as our” faculty completely, for they find time to take part in the ac- tivities of the surrounding communities. What do we give in return for all of these contributions which make our college life a rich experience? Sometimes a lot of headaches, work that is not our best but will “get by,” an indifference that shuts the doors of our minds. Yet still our teachers have conferences with us to help us with our special difficulties. They excuse our cuts when we have “more im- portant things to do,” and give us make-up tests. They try to consider our plans in scheduling tests, and cover the same ma- terial again and again. And—miracle of it all—if we grasp one principle, if we master one difficult lesson, if we give one sign of interest or ask one thoughtful question—they ask no other reward and take pleasure in our achievement. These, then, are our teachers who present education as a wonderful adventure and life as a great challenge. And how does the staff do it: manage Coker with us here? We like so well to exercise our glorious privilege of complain- ing, often only because it is our privilege. We criticize and rebel, yet somehow they maintain an air of patience and effi- ciency. They register us for everything from dormitory rooms to blood donations. They take care of such matters as burned out light bulbs and repair such things as heating systems. They advise and counsel, convincing us of the folly of some things and the wisdom of others. They are concerned about a well- planned diet, and a well-ordered laundry. Records must be kept, and so they file them diligently day by day, but inevitably choose to remember the best and forget the worst. In the infirmary, kind and patient hands care for our physical ills. These people are a vital part of our college community— mothers, fathers, doctors, guardians, and friends. Behind the criticism, the complaining and rebelling, we are more than proud of our staff, and more than indebted to them for their services to us.