Columbia University - Columbian Yearbook (New York, NY)

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HIAA i '-. '-A-1'f iifiiftitilftl f-Q1 f r.3 . .523 3191? '1' f ' - TH E - COLVM BIAN - Gln the Gltaria nf 1912 RIENDS AND FELLGW STUDENTS: ln this microcosm of our University world, the ideal relation between the teacher l 'I 'lgxvq ' and the taught is that of elder and younger colleagues in the same pursuit after know- tx ledge and culture, the same effort to attain Hthe Good, the True, and the Beautifulf, It is a trite saying that no one can be a good teacher who has ceased to be a good Ll 'Jkt student, and I hope I may claim enough of that particular qualification to a good pedagogical reputation, to warrant my addressing you all as fellow students. When- ever lack of sympathy occurs between students and their teachers, it is pretty sure to be because one or the other side has lost sight of the true purpose and theory of organized educationg his work as student or as teacher becomes perfunctoryg he loses the true perspective, magnifies means into ends, minor details into features of highest importance, and so loses touch with the other party to the relation. The COLUMBIAN presents a wonderful birdseye view of student activities, some of them religious, some intellectual, some physical, some purely recreative. All have their places in the University life, for they represent the fourfold requirements of human nature, all are beneficial, so long as they conform to the real purpose of a University training--the highest development of one's capacities for service to the world. Their variety is most interestingg their total 3m0UUt iIT1prCSSiV6L the SPICCGSS with which they are conducted, most creditable. The one danger in them all lies in their being magnified into ends in themselves, instead of means to culture, strength and refreshed energy. To the student they loom big and importantg to the teacher, often, they appear trivial and insignificant: both perspectives are wrong. As a true fel- low-student with yourselves, I am glad these activities, exist, and I wish for you all, the utmost enthusiasm and success in so conducting them that they may not only do credit to the University, but enrich your own lives also. As representing the School of Fine Arts and especially of Architecture, whose students have con- tributed their share to these activities, even though you may sometimes have fancied us a little out of their stronger currents, f am grateful for this opportunity to extend a warm greeting to my fellow students of 1912. 44421.-N, -15-

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, Ein the 0112155 nf 1912 lxgxwk m GLADLY comply with your request and send you a word of greeting. ,ffej Since my 'igraduationn in June last, I have suffered leisure long enough to .5 . , Z f ' have learned by experience fand am happy in the knowledgel what we all, or very lk E many of us, have been taught by precept from our youth up, the exceeding impor- tance of an avocation in life. During the years in which one is active in the work which he has chosen for his primary, or principal, occupation, a secondary subject of interest, to engage his times of rest and refreshment, is a valuable and delightful adjunct to success in his vocationg and when he ceases to labor in his calling, his secondary occupation, or avocation, becomes a necessity if he would really live and not simply vegetate. You are to be congratulated in that you are taking a course in the liberal arts and sciencesn intended to fit you, not specifically for a particular profession or business, but for engaging with advantage in any pursuit to which you may choose to devote yourselves. You are, or will be, trained so that you may select, with intelligence, not only the occupation on which you are to rely for support and advancement, but also an inviting avocation, to gladden your leisure at all time and, at the last, when active life ceases, to sustain your spirit and be to you as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Should you neglect to make such beneficent provision while you have time and opportunity you will lose much in your years of activity and may ultimately meet the fate of too many successful men in all classes, who retire from active business in the hope and expectation of quiet enjoyment, and find too late H 'Tis easy to resign a toilsome place But not to manage leisure with a grace, Absence of occupation is not rest, A mind quite vacant is a mind distressedf, I hope, therefore, that you will take full advantage of all your present opportunities, carefully pro- vide for your periods of inaction as well as of action and be useful, prosperous and happy men. With affectionate regard and all good wishes, I am Sincerely yours, X Q ..I 7..