Emerson College - Emersonian Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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talent, and so the majority of Emerson stu- dents shows, whether they be a straight stage, or a nightclub type presentation, they are generally good. In the radio department there is a greater opportunity for individual initiative, in the variety of presentations which may be put over the air. In looking back over four years, we see radio programs such as You ' re the Critic. During the time this program was over the airwaves of the stu- dent station, WECB, such guests as Jose Ferrar, Betty Roqdman and John Carradine were interviewed. Quiz programs were originated and presented by students. One of the most successful of these which started on WECB and continued upon our F.M. outlet, WERS, is Who Am I. Our speech students do not get as ample an opportunity as other school mem- bers to show their wares. The major portion of their excellent work is done in the class- room, with their fellow classmates as audi- ence. But under Mr. Joseph Connor’s tutelage and direction, we get a chance to see students do their magnificent speech work in the form of class recitals. They are presented at convocations and are eagerly awaited. During the four year span of the Class of ’50 many groups presented affairs which have promised to become annual events. One of these is the Alpha Pi Theta Courtyard Fair which is held in the spring. Sponsored by the Fraternity, this event is run in the form of a carnival, with minor

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The Sophomores, however, have their work cut out for them by tradition. Theirs is the annual and happy right to serve a faculty tea. Generally a November date is set aside for this. With the Juniors we reach what is regarded as the outstanding social event of the Emerson school year, the Junior Promenade. Held in one of the local hotel ballrooms, and featuring a good area orches- tra, this affair requires the most preparation. For most students, it is the Emerson social must. And finally we reach the Seniors, who lend an annual climax with their Commence- ment Ball, held each year during the final week of school. Hell Week should not be forgotten in recording the activity efforts of classes. The victims of the year before, the Sopho- mores, take over the gentle torture rites of this harrowing week for Freshmen. The punishment during September, 1949, in- cluded the wearing of baby bonnets, and the shortening of skirts for the girls, and the wearing of similar bonnets, a nd hitching up of the trousers for the boys. The Hell” comes in the form of making speeches, reciting poems, et cetera, and on the final night of the affair, the neo- phytes are taken through the torture cham- bers which the ingenious Sophomore group has set up. Similar feats of Hell” are duplicated annually by our fraternities and sororities during the weeks they set aside for hazing their new members. On other pages we have discussed the theatre at Emerson. This, as well as radio, is part of our training at the school. But annually a certain bit of initiative is allowed the students. In the theatre, we find it in the form of independent productions which students put on. They are generally sponsored by a sorority or a fraternity, and are, generally, on the lighter side. The school abounds in

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Contents games of chance present. Quite a bit of fun was had at this affair during our Emerson tenure. The various Greek organizations, in presenting their various enterprises have tried to outdo each other. Thus we have witnessed dances where, in 1947, people were charged a penny a pound for entrance. The Hallowe’en Dance, sponsored annually by Phi Alpha Tau, Emerson’s oldest fra- ternity, generally introduces something new each year in the form of ghoulish entertain- ment. The sororities seem to have main- tained their forte in the presentation of musicals, upon which Bob Guest, Parkers Zellers and Lee Benjamin, in recent years, have aided them. The competition is keen, and we who are spectators reap the benefits as we attend these various affairs. The students have become publicity- wise. In October of 1949, shortly after Shirley May France attempted to swim the Channel, one Ambrose Hock attempted to swim the Charles, but developed a cramp” and could not complete his effort. This was one student stunt. There are many other affairs which are held annually by the various groups of the school, but space prohibits a complete listing. But what we have detailed are good examples of the whole. The dances, the parties, the teas, the entertainments . . . these, coupled with the academic and labora- tory work of a school, we feel that This is Emerson.” Faculty and Administration Seniors Undergrads Literature Activities Organizations Sororities and Fraternities Sports Student Index