Emory and Henry College - Sphinx Yearbook (Emory, VA)

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 fje Senior Class History When the rolls were called four years ago, all signs of militarism had dis- appeared from the campus, except a few tan shirts, and hob-nail shoes worn by a few upper-classmen, who had either seen the smoke of quivering guns at the front, in the camps, or in the S. A. and R. O. T. C. brigades. A few of us Freshmen had seen some of those things when we visited the college as “preps” from East Hall the year before. Under three presidents! Well, yes, both here and at the White House in the Capitol city. In the political world we remember how the war was terminated by the first, naval disarmament was begun by the second, and the Tea Pot un- covered by the third. In the collegiate world, under the first, we saw a great educator enter the ranks of the pastorate, and a college campus become quiet after the last call of the bugle—three months before our arrival. Under the second, a great Education Financial Campaign was successfully launched, and bishop timber returned to the ranks of the pastorate. Under the third, the Co-Education Legislation of the previous June became a reality. A native of our “eternal Holston hills,” a man who had risen quick and high in educational efficiency, a man who wandered o’er toward the sea for his education (which is the only handicap he has—but, out Alma Mater did not ask him as a high school ‘graduate to come within her halls!) and a man of sterling Christian character, returned to he near his native “Wise” County, and took the presidency of Emory and Henry College. Permit us to voice the sentiment about the new day which we believe cometh with new splendor. As we write these lines the winds of the winter are howling like they did at Elsinore, the ancient capitol of Denmark; and listen, fellow-class- mates, do you not hear the words of Horatio?— “But, look, the morn, in russet mantle clad, Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastern hill.” That dawn is of the Greater Emory and Henry, about which all students in the past have dreamed. Now it is a reality. In all college activities our classmates have played important roles. Interest in all types of athletic sports have increased, and tor the hrst time in the history of the institution wc have had a Co-Ed. Varsity Team, whose members received monograms. Six of the eight awarded were to seniors. Both Varsity Basket-ball teams were captained by seniors, Ann Falin, of Lee County, Virginia; and C. G. Bailey, of the West Virginia snakes. Forensic activity has held its place, and the number of Inter-collegiate De- bates have been more than doubled in the past four years. Eighty per cent, of these debates have been won, and twice in the same time the college has won second place in the State Oratorical Contest. This year, ’24, the Co-Eds organized the Thalian Literary Society. The Class of ’24, is the second in the history of the college which has a member who won his Taup Kappa Alpha Key as a Freshman. Our growth as a class has been an evolutionary one. In Student Government there has been improvement each year over the previous one, until now we have a better one than any former class was able to maintain. But why should this not 64

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 L. E. WILLIAMS Calliopean East Stone Gap, Virginia Varsity Baseball, ’20, ’21, ’22, ’24; Student Council, ’21; Civics Club, ’21, ’22, ’24; Booster Club, ’21, ’22, '24; Monogram Club; Secretary Calliopean Society, ’21, Treasurer, ’22; President, ’23; Secretary Y. M. C. A., ’22; Business Manager White Topper, ’24; German Club; Class Basket-ball, ’21, ’24; Wise County Club; Intercollegiate Debate, ’24. Although of small statue, “Rabbit has climbed high in collegiate attainments. On the diamond he is noted for speed, and in the class-room he is a steady, conscientious worker. He has also served Calliope in the capacity of President. After an absence of one year he returned to take up the many honors awaiting him. and the class of '24 was fortunate in adding him to its number. 6.3

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Cljc JjfjtltX y be so, with “Bob” Daniel, Grace Templeton, and Gwyn Price at the head of these organizations? The Young Men’s Christian Association, the White Topper, and the Glee Club, are all led and managed by seniors, “Tubby” Earman, “Rabbit” Williams, and “Dimples” Davis, respectively. The Literary Societies, too, have been presided over by members of the Class of’24. Since our arrival many permanent improvements have been made at the col- lege: The Memorial Gate-way, improved roads, concrete walks, and a Gym- nasium which is the best in the South for a college the size of Emory and Henry. Some of those who started out with us in ’20, have been eliminated by the ordeals of math, psychology, and physics; others, because they were the fittest— but not for their school duties. Some of us stuck it out to the end, because it was the “eternal fitness of things,” some because “eternal vigilance is the price of victory,” some because they “learned Bible with a little map,” some because they could understand “here, here, here, here,” and still others because they met every difficulty with a—“It Can Be Done:” “Somebody said that it couldn’t be done, But he with a-chuckle replied That ‘maybe it couldn’t,’ but be would be one Who wouldn’t say so ’till he tried. So be buckled right in, with a bit of a grin On bis face. If be worried be bid it. He started to sing as be tackled the thing That couldn’t be done—and be did it.” Even so, and before the ink of these words has time to dry, one of our number, O. E. Jennings, is called to his reward. He lived with us four years and lacked just one quarter’s work of graduating. In that time he lived the life of a Christian gentleman. Surely his comfort and anchor in life was grounded in faith like that voiced by Whittier, when he said, “ I know not where His islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond his love and care.” The faculty—yes, it has changed, too. Some returned, some left, some came, others tarried and some visited. The seniors will remember each of their teachers with fondness, or- . We leave the Blue and Gold with a deep sense of gratitude, for what our Alma Mater will mean to us in the future more than she has in the past, for as the path lengthens with the fleeting of the years, she will become dearer to each of us, and not until then will we be able really to appreciate the contribution of Emory and Henry College to our future success. 65