Columbia University College of Pharmacy - Apothekan Yearbook (New York, NY)

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FAREWELL MESSAGE As the members of the Class of ' 48 pass from under- graduate to alumni status, I wonder how each would answer the question: How have I benefitted or gained from this col- lege training? As the degree is tangible evidence of the satisfactory completion of the study, doubtless a goodly num- ber would say that this was the chief gain. Others might go further and say that their gain was a wide range of knowledge which would be useful later. In both instances the replies are directly related to the utility of this education in making a livelihood. As most of us are dependent on our own efforts in the matter of livelihood, anything which increases our chances of doing so easily rates number one among the benefits derived from energy, time and money expended on education. But there is something else to be gained from this college residence and this is the ability to work and associate with others despite differences in personal characteristics and opinions. This ability is not imparted through formal instruc- tion and there are no examinations to test how well it has been acquired. How much of this ability each has gained depends on the individual and his temperamental makeup, but none can escape gaining some. Furthermore, one need not attend college to acquire it. I think that those called into war service where they were thrown in close contact with men of all sorts have had a full education along these lines. In receiving the degree, you have gained that which is the popular concept of a college education — preparation to better enable you to support yourself and your dependents; but in addition to this, I hope you have acquired something of what we might term education for living. While this education for living promotes the interests of the individual in his efforts to make such a living, it is of far greater sig- nificance in the welfare of a nation such as ours which in- cludes people from all parts of the world among its citizens. On several occasions the people of this country have shown that they know something about this education for living, and because of this knowledge, it has been possible to transform the weaknesses inherent in a heterogeneous population into the strength necessary for the accomplishment of a given objective. These then are two of the gains from your period of col- lege study: an education for Pharmacy to provide a means of livelihood and something in the way of an education for amicably living and working with others. Each complements the other and together they make a good Pharmacist and a good citizen. Charles W. Ballard

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i i s - 3 II •1 I w CHARLES W. BALLARD — DEAN The privilege of studying under the Dean is one that is reserved for the Seniors. It was not until our final year that we came to know and appreciate his many qualities.

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TRIBUTE MISS ELEANOR KERKER In any great enterprise, there are always some behind- the-scenes personages — those experts and technicians whose work is essential to the success of the venture, but is seldom publicized. Our transactions with the registrar are usually limited to registration twice a year, hence few of us realize either the scope or the importance of the registrar ' s work. After a lifetime of service to the College of Pharmacy, Miss Eleanor Kerker has retired. We would like to avail our- selves of this opportunity to pay tribute to her, in cognizance of her untiring work and zealous efforts in behalf of the college. Since November 1912, Miss Kerker has been faithfully serving, in an administrative capacity, the demands of the college. She held the position of assistant registrar and assistant librarian during the regime of Mr. Simpson, her predecessor as regisirar. Upon Mr. Simpson ' s retirement in 1940, the administative controls passed into the capable hands of Eleanor Kerker. Among the many chores delegated to her at that time ware: maintenance of records of admissions, grades, attendance, addresses, and all other data pertaining to students. In addition, she assisted in the handling of the multifarious duties and details connected with the office in general. Because of her adept handling of the mountains of records required by many of us while in service, her keen interest in the students, and her cheerful cooperation at all times, we wish to express our thanks, respects, and good wishes for the future to Miss Eleanor Kerker.