DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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Journalism in the college world should hold it place relative to that of the outer world. The college publication must represent from week to week the complete expression of every part Of the University. Two live journals were formerly maintained by rival factions. Through the determined efforts of Faculty and some students, the factions dissolved, and a paper and magazine were to be published. The effect is plainly apparent. The monthly magazine was never issued. The weekly has had a precarious existence for the past two years, justly earning the soubriquet, tt Weakly. Interest subsided with the death of the factions; yet, we lltlalntitill, it is entirely feasible to issue :1. good publication without the competition caused by factions. Luck of support from students, and failure of the organizations, on which the enterprise rests, to place upon the editorial staff their best material, may be causes assigned. then EL corps, which is venting in genuine newspaper tbility 01' zeal, essays to edit a paper, the result does not require mention. J ournalism at De Peuw has fallen from the high position once occupied and is scarcely more than a passive factor in college life. The lecture and concert courses are the best that can be provided under the circumstances. As a means of instruction, entertainment and inspiration, there is nothing that may be found to take the place of them. The Military School has attained a good degree of eHieieney. The Cennnandantis untiring efforts in its behalf have not been unrewarded. The department at present is gratifying to those engaged in the work. iWith modern equipments in every respect, we may surely hope for still greater developments and better interest. . Class enthusiasm promotes gt healthy ri 'tlll'y among the classes. While the spirit is not of the clannish kind that prevents friendly intercourse7 yet, after several yeai'el loyal allegiance, the individual becomes attached to his class by ties that are second only to fraternal bonds and associations, and leaves with remembranees that are Cherished ever afterwards. Oratory continues to hold prestige among the various student movements. The present generation strives as strongly to sustain past reputation Ovidespi'eml by it long series of Victoriesl as former ones did to establish such fame. The orator is not always expected to Win, but the training afforded b y :L contest, provided no other inducements were offered, and the spirit of oratory, incarnate in the feelings and ambitions of many individuals, will tend to furnish worthy contestants fer the State and lnter-State hODOTS. Events similar to the celebration of Founders, Lind Benefactors7 Day are occasions when every one experiences a pleasant relaxation from the usual daily routine. All the elements of university life are brought together; extremes harmonize, new associations form and the fires of university patriotism kindle. Mere such occurrences will fbstei- a stronger interest and loyalty in the institution. Feot-bell does not find De Peuwls elime suitable to its development, 01' even existence. An ambition, nurtured by hope and partial assurance to have a winning team, seems now beyond realization, though several good teams grace the records of former years. The Faculty must be censured severely for the part played by them. Some professors have always been active in opposition, but this year it was general. W ith a large increase in the quantity of work and with little encouragement, who would expect students to conscientiously play the game? By a radical change in the rules, we Inny predict :1. team next year. The Future Of Athletit-s is entrusted to the students. Success 01' failure will be our reward, proportionately to the efforts put forth. With less interference by the Faculty and a. more active interest by students generally, better results can be expected. 10

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into a subject is well enough, but when the field is enlarged to such an extent that perception fails to grasp the organic relation of principles and details, then is the purpose of a college education defeated. Let us have quality, and not quantity. The idea of the it quiz ,, is a good one. Its advantages are not to be questioned. However, a professor deals most unfairly with his students if, after the course has been thoroughly covered by tt quizzes? he has one Of the ti old-time final examinations in store for them. Changes may be mentioned, also, in the Faculty7 which have added to its strength. The Departments of Political Science and History are now separated, Col. Weaver taking the former chair, while Dr. Stephenson, of Wesleyan, was called to the latter. Dr. DuvalPs work in Philosophy is of a high characteri Instructor Priest is progressing well as a successor to Instructor Wilkerson in Oratory. Dr. Manning resigned the chair of Romance Languages at the close of last year. He was succeeded by Prof. Fairfield, whose conscientious efforts have made the department one of the strongest, in point of excellence, in the University. Instructors Johnson and Baei' have been added to Latin and German. Deans Howe and Mills of Music and Art left for more lucrative fields. The two schools are presided over by Dean Mansiield. Dr. Stephenson teaches Church History in place of Dr. Ourtiss. In Preparatory, Instructors Hanawalt, Ayers and Starr are in charge of the Departments of Mathematics, Latin and English. . During the past yem',eollege spirit has deteriorated. Many enterprises, heretofore loyally and liberally supported, encountered great indifference. This fact is more pronounced this year than last At times, however7 enthusiasm is manifested with all the old-time vigor, when recalled from its lethargy by some event, aptly proving that it is not ti dead, but sleepingfl Conflicts constantly arise between students and Faculty on questions directly touching the former, but controlled largely by the latter. Great dissatisfaction sometimes results. Sharp criticism often falls upon a member 01' members of the Faculty by reason of acts adjudged detrimental by students. An equitable solution of this question would be the institution of a University Senate, composed of representatives of students and Faculty. Let it be a committee where both sides can consider matters of common interest. Other colleges have given this plan a trial, and its practicability and benefit are undisputed facts. A policy that will bring the Faculty and the student body into closer union will do more to hold and attract than any other method that can be employed. The value of the fraternities t0 the University is inestimable. They are the means, in many instances, of retaining a student long after his interest in the University has weakened. Where can so firm a basis for true and lasting friendship be formed? It serves as a bond uniting individuals to one another in an organization wh ose purpose is the ideal of true manhood and womanhood, and the preferment 0f the Alma Mater. The gymnasium movement that began last year was taken up again this year and attended by good results. No form of athletics in the institution has been of so much benefit to the students in general. As a means of preparation for track athletics and base ballists, it is invaluable. Equipment is being added from time to time, and hopes that we will soon have a first-class gymnasium may not be wrongly based. A part of the money expended on other kinds of athletics could with profit go toward defraying the expenses of a director of physical culture, thereby making gymnasium work required and a part of the curriculum. Secure some all-i'ound athlete who can also coach foot-ball and base-ball and we shall have made long strides toward solving the athletic: problem at De Pauw. Our success in the two debate contests with the State University attest the fact that De Pauwls forensic ability is no less pronounced than that shown in oratory. It is hoped that these contests will serve to revive the interest in debate that has long lain dormant. In this new field for the demonstration of thought and speech, the superior training reeeiyed here will doubtless place us foremost in future contests. 9

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Properly following a comment on the Future of Athletics, is the long discussed subject of a new Athletic Park. Nothing can give athletics so great an impetus as this. The plan appears, at present, to he nearer realization than ever before. The promoters of the project are deserving of every encouragement and highest praise. In this brief comment upon University life, we desire to say a word to those with whom we may appear to have taken undue freedom. If your name is mentioned do not suppose that any one individual is the cause, or is weponsiblc for it. The Board reviewed all MS.bef01'e it was sent to press and gave approval to it. Therefore bear calmly any grievance you may have and consider that the Board is solicitous for your welfare. We believe that it is unnecessary to devote any lengthy editorial to a presentation of the features of the book. However, we claim it decided improvement over all former Miruges in literature, art, novelty, 11100haniea1design end a complete and fair representation of the University. To our friends, outside the Board, who have kindly rendered assistance in the work, we wish to extend our sincere thanks. Owing to limited space, we were compelled to omit articles intended for publication. It was with much regret that we were unable to carry out our original purpose in regard to the Departments. Those engaged in this kind of an enterprise will encounter disappointments where least expected. We are no exception to the rule. Hence the Departments were omitted contrary to the wishes of the Board. That the Annual shall prove beneficial to the Alumni, Faculty and Student body, at once calling into activity m ore love and interest for the Alma, Mater, and that it shall be a memoir of our college days, is the earnest desire of x THE EDITORS. 11